Emergency Medical Centers Preparedness for a Biological Disaster in Korea.
- Author:
Tae Jin PARK
1
;
Woo Ju KIM
;
Jae Chul YUN
;
Bum Jin OH
;
Kyoung Soo LIM
;
Bu Su LEE
;
Tae Ho LIM
;
Jae baek LEE
;
Eun Suk HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. kslim@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Emergency Preparedness;
Biological warfare;
Disaster Planning
- MeSH:
Biological Warfare;
Budgets;
Civil Defense;
Communicable Diseases;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Decontamination;
Disaster Planning;
Disasters;
Emergencies;
Equipment and Supplies;
Humans;
Korea;
Mandrillus;
Triage;
Ventilation
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2008;19(3):263-272
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate different emergency medical centers' (EMCs) preparedness for a biological disaster in Korea. METHODS: A survey of 120 EMCs in Korea was done through questionnaire. We examined facilities, equipments and supplies, and emergency personnel training and drill. RESULTS: Ninety (75%) EMCs participated in the survey. Sixteen were from regional/specialized EMCs and 74 were from local EMCs. The median for the number of staffed beds were 680(range, 200~2200) and the median for patient visits were 73(range, 24~210) per day. Ten(11%) of the 90 participating EMCs had personal protective equipments (PPEs); 7(8%) had wet decontamination units; 11(12%) had independent ventilation systems; 15(17%) had mechanical ventilator; 9(10%) had life lines; 39(43%) had alternative care sites and none (0%) had triage tag with presence of contamination. At least one drill was conducted annually in 11(12%). When the availability of resources needed in a biological disaster between regional/specialized EMCs and local EMCs were compared, the regional/specialized EMCs had PPEs(38% vs. 5%, p<0.01), wet decontamination unit(44% vs. 0%, p<0.01), independent ventilation systems (31% vs. 8%, p<0.05), and drills (38% vs. 7%, p<0.01) more frequently than local EMCs. Approximately 70% of the respondents attributed the above passive preparedness results from a lack of budget and the notion that only the minimum preparedness is necessary for the possibility of a biological disaster. Also, half of the respondents agreed that new infectious diseases will occur with a possibility of more than 50% in the future. CONCLUSION: Our data indicated that preparedness of EMCs for a biological disaster in Korea was low. Therefore, we should develop comprehensive plans to remedy the identified deficiencies.
