Health Policy Manag.  2024 Mar;34(1):17-25. 10.4332/KJHPA.2024.34.1.17.

Estimation of Economic Benefits Based on Appropriate Allocation of Emergency Medical Beds by Region in South Korea

• Yang JM
• Kim MS
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2562559
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2024.34.1.17

Abstract

Background
This study aimed to assess the appropriate allocation of emergency medical beds across 17 provinces and presume the economic benefits associated with such allocation.
Methods
To estimate the optimal allocation of emergency medical beds by province, data from the Statistics Korea’s “cause of death statistics (2014–2021),” regional statistics on “area, population, gender, age,” and “population projections” were utilized. The “number of emergency beds by city and district” provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service was also used. In estimating the economic benefits of preventing avoidable emergency deaths due to the expansion of emergency medical facilities, guidelines from the Korea Development Institute and the Korea Transport Institute were referenced to calculate the wage loss costs associated with emergency deaths and estimate the economic benefits.
Results
The optimal ratio of emergency medical beds allocation by region was highest in Gyeonggi, Seoul, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, and Busan, while Daejeon, Jeju, and Sejong showed lower ratios. Additionally, the prevention of avoidable deaths and economic benefits resulting from the increase in emergency medical facilities were highest in Gyeonggi, Seoul, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Busan. However, when standardized by population, the prevention of avoidable deaths and economic benefits were analyzed to be highest in Gyeongbuk, Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, and Busan.
Conclusion
The results of this study can serve as foundational data for future policy measures aimed at addressing the imbalance in the supply of emergency medical facilities across regions. Considering regional characteristics in the distribution of emergency medical facilities is expected to ultimately increase the efficiency of national finances and yield economic benefits.

Keyword

Economic benefits; Emergency medical beds; Emergency death; Preventable death; Optimal allocation