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KMID : 1140520210250010125
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Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
2021 Volume.25 No. 1 p.125 ~ p.134
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Changes in the characteristics of patients transferred to the emergency room through private institutions during inter-hospital transport after the COVID-19 outbreak : A retrospective study
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Kim Seong-Ju
Ji Jae-Gu
Jang Yun-Deok
Lee Si-Weon
Yu Jae-Kwang
Kang Ji-Hun
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Abstract
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Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine the changes in the pattern of patients who were transferred to the emergency room through inter-hospital private institutions and to determine how long transport takes following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the emergency medical services reports of private institutions following the COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea. The study was conducted in Busan between January 19, 2019 and January 18, 2020, and between January 19, 2020 and January 18, 2021.
Results: Upon comparing the patient transport times during the “Pre-COVID-19 period” and “COVID-19 period,” a significant delay was noticed in the preparation for transfer of patients during the “COVID-19 period” (p<.05). There were significantly more patients with respiratory infections and patients who complained of general symptoms during the “COVID-19 period.” Moreover, there was a higher frequency of patients who were transferred to a ‘Level I’ emergency room during the “COVID-19 period” compared to during the “Pre-COVID-19 period” (p<.05).
Conclusion: Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a delay in patient transport to the emergency room through private institution inter-hospital transport and an increase in the number of patients complaining of respiratory infection symptoms. Thus, emergency medical services need additional administrative and economic support to transport infected patients.
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KEYWORD
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COVID-19, Emergency room, Respiratory infection symptoms, emergency medical services
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