J Korean Med Assoc.  2019 May;62(5):252-257. 10.5124/jkma.2019.62.5.252.

Disaster medical response system in Korea

• Kim J
• Chung HS

• KMID: 2445789
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2019.62.5.252

Abstract

Disasters have frequently been a problem in Korea. Many initiatives have been carried out to mitigate this problem and to respond to disasters properly. The National Medical Emergency Center organized the Disaster Medical Response Center, which operates 24 hours a day. Regional emergency medical centers were designated as hospitals that receive disaster victims. Along with the designated disaster hospitals, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, city and district governments, and community health centers were all assigned standard roles to carry out in case of disasters. Disaster medical assistance teams were developed to respond to disaster events in their regions. This system has enabled a more rapid and systematic response to disaster events, and has standardized disaster-related medical equipment and vehicles to ensure the proper treatment of disaster victims. Although many valuable systems have been developed to respond to disasters, practical training within each institution and community-wide team training are still lacking; therefore, the government needs to further develop and support such programs.

Keyword

Disasters; Emergency medical services; Disaster medical assistance team

MeSH Terms

Community Health Centers
Disaster Victims
Disasters*
Emergencies
Emergency Medical Services
Korea*
Medical Assistance

Figure

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  Figure 1. National disaster control chart. MPSS, Ministry of Public Safety and Security (merged with the Ministry of Interior and Safety in 2017); HQ, headquarter.

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  Figure 2. Disaster and transfer control center work flow. NEMC, National Emergency Medical Center; DMAT, disaster medical assistance team. Reproduced from Ministry of Health and Welfare. Emergency response manual of disaster emergency medical service. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2016 [2].

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  Figure 3. Disaster scene. Reproduced from Ministry of Health and Welfare. Emergency response manual of disaster emergency medical service. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare; 2016 [2].

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  Figure 4. Roles of field medical posts.

Reference

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