Clinical Guidance for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency and Critical Care Areas after Implementing Insurance Coverage in Korea

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful tool that is widely used in the emergency and intensive care areas. In Korea, insurance coverage of ultrasound examination has been gradually expanding in accordance with measures to enhance Korean National Insurance Coverage since 2017 to 2021, and which will continue until 2021. Full coverage of health insurance for POCUS in the emergency and critical care areas was implemented in July 2019. The National Health Insurance Act classified POCUS as a single or multiple-targeted ultrasound examination (STU vs. MTU). STU scans are conducted of one organ at a time, while MTU includes scanning of multiple organs simultaneously to determine each clinical situation. POCUS can be performed even if a diagnostic ultrasound examination is conducted, based on the physician's decision. However, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service plans to monitor the prescription status of whether the POCUS and diagnostic ultrasound examinations are prescribed simultaneously and repeatedly. Additionally, MTU is allowed only in cases of trauma, cardiac arrest, shock, chest pain, and dyspnea and should be performed by a qualified physician. Although physicians should scan all parts of the chest, heart, and abdomen when they prescribe MTU, they are not required to record all findings in the medical record. Therefore, appropriate prescription, application, and recording of POCUS are needed to enhance the quality of patient care and avoid unnecessary cut of medical budget spending. The present article provides background and clinical guidance for POCUS based on the implementation of full health insurance coverage for POCUS that began in July 2019 in Korea.

Clinical Guidance for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency and Critical Care Areas after Implementing Insurance Coverage in Korea

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful tool that is widely used in the emergency and intensive care areas. In Korea, insurance coverage of ultrasound examination has been gradually expanding in accordance with measures to enhance Korean National Insurance Coverage since 2017 to 2021, and which will continue until 2021. Full coverage of health insurance for POCUS in the emergency and critical care areas was implemented in July 2019. The National Health Insurance Act classified POCUS as a single or multiple-targeted ultrasound examination (STU vs. MTU). STU scans are conducted of one organ at a time, while MTU includes scanning of multiple organs simultaneously to determine each clinical situation. POCUS can be performed even if a diagnostic ultrasound examination is conducted, based on the physician's decision. However, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service plans to monitor the prescription status of whether the POCUS and diagnostic ultrasound examinations are prescribed simultaneously and repeatedly. Additionally, MTU is allowed only in cases of trauma, cardiac arrest, shock, chest pain, and dyspnea and should be performed by a qualified physician. Although physicians should scan all parts of the chest, heart, and abdomen when they prescribe MTU, they are not required to record all findings in the medical record. Therefore, appropriate prescription, application, and recording of POCUS are needed to enhance the quality of patient care and avoid unnecessary cut of medical budget spending. The present article provides background and clinical guidance for POCUS based on the implementation of full health insurance coverage for POCUS that began in July 2019 in Korea.

Clinical Guidance for Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency and Critical Care Areas after Implementing Insurance Coverage in Korea

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful tool that is widely used in the emergency and intensive care areas. In Korea, insurance coverage of ultrasound examination has been gradually expanding in accordance with measures to enhance Korean National Insurance Coverage since 2017 to 2021, and which will continue until 2021. Full coverage of health insurance for POCUS in the emergency and critical care areas was implemented in July 2019. The National Health Insurance Act classified POCUS as a single or multiple-targeted ultrasound examination (STU vs. MTU). STU scans are conducted of one organ at a time, while MTU includes scanning of multiple organs simultaneously to determine each clinical situation. POCUS can be performed even if a diagnostic ultrasound examination is conducted, based on the physician's decision. However, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service plans to monitor the prescription status of whether the POCUS and diagnostic ultrasound examinations are prescribed simultaneously and repeatedly. Additionally, MTU is allowed only in cases of trauma, cardiac arrest, shock, chest pain, and dyspnea and should be performed by a qualified physician. Although physicians should scan all parts of the chest, heart, and abdomen when they prescribe MTU, they are not required to record all findings in the medical record. Therefore, appropriate prescription, application, and recording of POCUS are needed to enhance the quality of patient care and avoid unnecessary cut of medical budget spending. The present article provides background and clinical guidance for POCUS based on the implementation of full health insurance coverage for POCUS that began in July 2019 in Korea.

Satisfaction surveys on major subjects in emergency medical system in Korea: joint investigation of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine and Korean Science Journalists Association

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate satisfaction surveys of the emergency medical system in Korea administered to both members of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine and patients and their guardians. METHODS: The joint survey was conducted by the Korea Scientist Journalists Association and the Public Affairs Committee of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine. Questionnaires administered to each group included questions about the general environment, safety, and overcrowding. Satisfaction of medical staffs and awareness of cardiopulmonary resuscitation were only included in the patient questionnaire, while public health was only surveyed in the member questionnaire. The satisfaction was evaluated on a 5-point scale. RESULTS: Patient questionnaires were answered by 20 of 413 national emergency medical centers, and about 4.3% of the medical institutions participated in the questionnaire. A total of 704 reply sheets were returned by patients. Member questionnaires were answered by 280 of the 1,108 members (25%). Among patients, the lowest satisfaction was the item of “medical expenses,” followed by “waiting time”. Among providers, the lowest satisfaction was “appropriateness of medical staff”, while the highest complaint was “overcrowding.” CONCLUSION: Emergency care users had the lowest satisfaction with “medical expenses,” while members had the lowest satisfaction with “lack of manpower” and were most dissatisfied with “violence” and “overcrowding.”

Analysis the Change of Recognition and Attitude between Before and After Experience of Emergency Medicine Education Program in Medical School Students

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze the results from a 2016 three-day emergency medicine camp for premedical students. METHODS: The Public Relations Committee of Korea Emergency Medical Association planned the camp. We sent an official letter to 41 universities to recruit participants and create programs for three days. Questionnaires were prepared and analyzed before and after the camp. RESULTS: A total of 37 participants participated. There were three times more males than females. According to the recognition survey, knowledge (3.4±2.0 vs. 7.2±1.8) and preference (5.4±1.8 vs. 7.4±1.4) after the camp were better than before the camp (p<0.05). In detail, anxiety about funerals (3.5±2.5 vs. 2.4±2.8) and perception of the role (5.8±2.2 vs. 4.5±2.6) were improved (p<0.05). Worries regarding physical and psychological burden and danger were also greatly improved (p<0.05). The mean satisfaction was 8.6 points out of 10 points, according to the general survey. CONCLUSION: The three-day camp increased awareness of emergency medicine and improved their preferences.

Willingness Variability of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in Special Situations

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate how variability of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) willingness may change depending on special situations and to find out factors that enhance CPR willingness in each situation and ways to increase the ratio of bystander CPR. METHODS: A population-based, nationwide study using a structured questionnaire via telephone survey regarding CPR was done in 2015 (n=1,000). A stratified cluster sampling was conducted to assess the impact of age and gender on CPR willingness. The contents of the questionnaire consisted of basic characteristics, CPR training experience, and status. Additionally, respondents were presented with five hypothetical scenarios of cardiopulmonary arrest; family member, stranger, elderly person, preschool child, and pregnant woman. RESULTS: Willingness to perform CPR was low for pregnant women (52.1%) or elders (59.3%), moderate for strangers (73.3%) or children (71.3%), but high for a family members (90.4%). Age, awareness of CPR, training experience of CPR, CPR training by manikin practice, recent CPR training (≤2 years), experience of bystander CPR, family history of severe illness, and awareness of Good Samaritan law all influenced the willingness to perform CPR on bystander in each scenario. CONCLUSION: The willingness of bystander CPR decreased in special situations, especially for elderly and pregnant woman. However, recent CPR training group were more willing in the elderly, and CPR experienced group also showed increased tendency in pregnant woman. It is expected that the rate of bystander CPR can be increased by emphasizing that performing bystander CPR for children, pregnant women, and elders is not different from the general population.

Enhanced Strategies through National Tri-temporal Analysis of Public Capacity Prepared for Laypersons' Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

PURPOSE: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and dissemination of its training are essential to improve the survival outcomes of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the tri-temporal trend analysis of the national CPR capacity variables and preparedness in a community. METHODS: This nationwide population-based study used structured questionnaire by a telephone survey for CPR in 2007 (n=1,029), in 2011 (n=1,000), and in 2015 (n=1,000). We used stratified cluster sampling to assess the impact of age, gender, and geographic regions. The contents in the questionnaire consisted of CPR awareness, self-efficacy for bystander CPR, prior training status, and willingness of public CPR training. RESULTS: The proportion of CPR awareness and its recent training experience (<2 years) increased from 89.0% and 14.6%, respectively, in 2007 to 88.5% and 18.7% in 2011, and finally to 94.8% and 30.6% in 2015 (both p for trend<0.001). More than 95% of respondents had agreed to mandatory CPR training acquiring a driver's license or CPR education in school. The awareness of Good Samaritan Law was increased from 20.5% in 2011 to 28.7% in 2015; however, the overall values were lower than the other CPR-related awareness and preparedness. CONCLUSION: In Korea, the trends of national CPR capacity index have been increasing during the past decade. However, the public awareness of the Good Samaritan Law was still low. We suggest that promoting the Good Samaritan Law should be the next step in preparing public CPR training in the future.

Air reduction of intussusception after abdominal blunt trauma and a literature review

The typical presentation of intussusception includes intermittent severe abdominal pain, vomiting, rectal bleeding, and the presence of an abdominal mass. We present a case of intussusception after abdominal blunt trauma along with a literature review. A 4-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department after a bicycle accident. She complained of progressively worsening abdominal pain, but there was no vomiting, fever, bloody stool, or abdominal mass. She was finally diagnosed with traumatic intussusception by ultrasonography and treated with air reduction. Because the typical symptoms are unusual in traumatic intussusception, close attention must be paid to avoid a delayed diagnosis.

Effect of Alcohol on Death Rate in Organophosphate Poisoned Patients

PURPOSE: Many patients who are acutely poisoned with organophosphorus pesticides have co-ingested alcohol. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence mortality in organophosphate intoxication and the differences between alcohol coingested patients and non-coingested patients, looking at vital signs, length of admission, cholinesterase activity, complications, and mortality. METHODS: All patients visiting one Emergency Department (ED) with organophosphate intoxication between January 2000 and December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups, alcohol coingested group and non-coingested group. RESULTS: During the study period, 136 patients (alcohol coingested group, 95 patients; non-coingested group, 41 patients) presented to the ED with organophosphate intoxication. Seventy-one alcohol coingested patients (74.1%) vs. 16 non-coingested patients (39.0%) received endotracheal intubation, with results of the analysis showing a clear distinction between the two groups (p=0.001). Twenty-three alcohol coingested patients (24.2%) vs. 1 non-coingested patient (2.4%) required inotropics, indicating a significant gap (p=0.002). Twenty-eight alcohol coingested patients (29.5%) vs. 2 non-coingested patients (4.9%) died, with results of the analysis showing a clear distinction between the two groups (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In cases of organophosphate intoxication, alcohol coingested patients tended to receive endotracheal intubation, went into shock, developed central nervous system complications, and more died.

Commotio Cordis by a Traffic Accident Visited the Emergency Department

Commotio cordis is induction of sudden cardiac arrest and ventricular fibrillation (VF) by chest blunt trauma and nonpenetrating injury without damage to the rib, sternum, and heart in a person without underlying cardiovascular disease. Commotio cordis has been rarely reported worldwide, and it is particularly rare in the case of traffic accident (TA). We experienced a case of commotio cordis in a healthy 20-year-old man who was involved in a TA. The patient had no other signs of trauma except blunt chest trauma, and the initial electrocardiography (ECG) rhythm checked by the emergency medical technician (EMT) team was VF. They performed defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during transfer. CPR including defibrillation was performed because VF continued upon arrival at the emergency department, and therapeutic hypothermia (THT) was performed because glasgow coma scale (GCS) score was 3 after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The patient's mental status became alert after performance of THT and cerebral performance category (CPC) score was 1 without neurological symptoms at the time of discharge. In trauma patients who may be have blunt chest trauma, including TA, emergency medical service providers must perform continuous monitoring with commotio cordis in mind, and perform defibrillation and CPR immediately if VF arises. With training in basic CPR and a supply of automated external defibrillators (AED) for application to trauma patients, the survival rate of commotio cordis patients can be increased.

The Features and Prognoses in Organophosphate Intoxication according to Age

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influence mortality in organophosphate intoxication and the differences between the elderly (> or =65 years) and younger adults (18-64 years) looking at vital sign, length of admission, cholinesterase activity, complications, and prognosis. METHODS: All patients visiting one Emergency Department (ED) with organophophate intoxication between January 2000 and December 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups, geriatric adults (> or = 65 years) and nongeriatric adults (18-64 years). RESULTS: During the study period, 155 patients (45 patients, > or =65 years; 110 patients, 18-64 years) presented to the ED with organophosphate intoxication. Thirty-six elderly patients (80.0%) vs. 63 younger adult patients (57.3%) were intubated endotracheally, with the analysis showing a clear distinction between the two groups (p=0.026). Twenty-two elderly patients (48.9%) vs. 23 younger adult patients (20.9%) went into shock, displaying a significant gap (p=0.008). Thirtyfive elderly patients (81.4%) vs. 62 younger adult patients (59.0%) developed respiratory complications and 20 elderly patients (46.5%) vs. 19 younger adult patients (18.1%) developed central nervous system complications, with obvious differences seen in each of the comparison at (p=0.031) and (p=0.005), respectively. Comparing plasma cholinesterase levels at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th days, the rate of increase was faster in the younger adults (p=0.022). CONCLUSION: With organophosphate intoxication, elderly patients tended to be intubated endotracheally, went into shock, developed central nervous system complications, were more severe, and showed a slower increase in cholinesterase level.

Correlation between the Portable X-ray and the Radiation Exposure dose in the Emergency Department: Cohort Study

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose for emergency medical service providers working in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted from February 15, 2013 to May 15, 2013 in the ED in an urban hospital. Six residents, seven emergency medical technicians (EMT), and 24 nurses were enrolled. They wore a personal radiation dosimeter on their upper chest while working in the ED, and they stayed away from the portable X-ray unit at a distance of at least 1.8 m when the X-ray beam was generated. RESULTS: The total number of portable x-rays was 2089. The average total radiation exposure dose of emergency medical service providers was 0.504+/-0.037 mSv, and it was highest in the EMT group, 0.85(0.58-1.08) mSv. The average of the total number of portable X-rays was highest in the doctor group, 728.5(657.25-809). The relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose was not statistically significant(-0.186, p=0.269). CONCLUSION: Under the condition of staying away from the portable X-ray unit at a distance of least 1.8 m, the relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose was not statistically significant.

Treatment of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning with Therapeutic Hypothermia / 대한구급학회지

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a well-known chemical asphyxiant, which causes tissue hypoxia with prominent neurological injury. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) has been shown to be an effective neuroprotective method in post-cardiac arrest patients. A 26-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe CO poisoning. On arrival, the patient was comatose. His vital signs were blood pressure, 130/80 mm Hg; heart rate, 126/min; respiratory rate, 26/min; body temperature, 36degrees C; and O2 saturation, 94%. Initial carboxyhemoglobin was 45.2%. Because there was no available hyperbaric chamber in our local area, he was intubated and treated with TH. The target temperature was 33 +/- 1degrees C for 24 hours using an external cooling device. The patient was then allowed to reach normothermia by 0.15-0.25degrees C/hr. The patient was discharged after normal neurological exams on day 11 at the hospital. TH initiated after exposure to CO may be an effective prophylactic method for preventing neurological sequelae.

The Efficacy of Discharge Instructions Provided by a Tablet Personal Computer for Aiding the Comprehension and Satisfaction of Patients with Ureteral Stones

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the possibility of improving the comprehension and satisfaction of patients discharged after receiving discharge instructions using a tablet personal computer (tablet PC), compared with conventional discharge instructions. METHODS: A randomized, prospective, consecutive, exploratory study was conducted on patients with ureteral stones in an emergency department (ED). The patients' objective comprehension, satisfaction, and subjective comprehension regarding their discharge instructions were compared with regard to discharge instruction (traditional verbal method, N=53 versus tablet PC method, N=53). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in age, gender, or level of education were observed between the two groups. The mean number of correct answers regarding ureteral stones on the questionnaire was 2.35+/-1.02 in the conventional group (CG) and 3.37+/-0.9 in the tablet PC group (TG) (p0.05). The subjective comprehension score was 7.42 in the CG and 7.8 in the TG (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Objective comprehension of ureteral stones showed improvement in the group with discharge instructions provided by the tablet PC. However, satisfaction and subjective comprehension did not show improvement.

A Case of a Male Presenting with Periocular Pain and Diplopia at an Emergency Department: Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome is a rare self-limiting disease characterized by a painful, unilateral ophthalmoplegia caused by an idiopathic granulomatous inflammation in cavernous sinus, the superior orbital fissure or the orbital apex. We report a case of a 51-year-old man who presented at the emergency department with periocular pain and diplopia. Physical examination, and radiological and laboratory testing performed at that time were diagnostically inconclusive. After hospitalization, the patient was diagnosed with Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Treatment with high dose steroid was started; by 2 days later, the periocular pain was relieved and other symptoms had improved. The rarity of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome calls for knowledge of the disease and attention by an emergency physician. The case report includes as summary of the syndrome, its' diagnosis and treatment.

A Case Study of a Patient with Penetrating Neck Injuries caused by a Nail Gun

Powered by compressed air, a nail gun is an essential alternative tool to a hammer on any construction site. This useful machine launches nails at high speed, automatically embedding them in a piece of wood in only a fraction of a second. In spite of its convenience, life-threatening and fatal nail gun injuries can occur when a nail gun is misused, such as in a suicide attempt, or when the operator has insufficient training because combustion nail guns are capable of firing projectiles at velocities higher than 150 m per second. Although injuries by nail guns are rarely reported, there have been reports of nail gun injuries to the head and the trachea in Korea. In the emergency room, the authors experienced a patient injured by an accidental shooting of a nail gun while working in construction. In that accident, a nail penetrated the patient's cervical vertebra through the left cheek. This report is aimed at studying medical treatment for patients with penetrating injuries caused by nail guns.

A Case of Myxedema Coma Presenting as a Brain Stem Infarct in a 74-Year-Old Korean Woman

Myxedema coma is the extreme form of untreated hypothyroidism. In reality, few patients present comatose with severe myxedema. We describe a patient with myxedema coma which was initially misdiagnosed as a brain stem infarct. She presented to the hospital with alteration of the mental status, generalized edema, hypothermia, hypoventilation, and hypotension. Initially her brain stem reflexes were absent. After respiratory and circulatory support, her neurologic status was not improved soon. The diagnosis of myxedema coma was often missed or delayed due to various clinical findings and concomitant medical condition and precipitating factors. It is more difficult to diagnose when a patient has no medical history of hypothyroidism. A high index of clinical suspicion can make a timely diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment. We report this case to alert clinicians considering diagnosis of myxedema coma in patients with severe decompensated metabolic state including mental change.

Effectiveness, Preference and Ease of Passive Release Techniques Using a Syringe for Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation

PURPOSE: Inappropriate cuff inflations cause many complications. A conventional pilot balloon palpation technique is insufficient to detect high cuff pressures, but is still preferred. Hence, we conducted this study to identify effectiveness, preference and ease of use of a new estimation technique named "passive release technique" for endotracheal tube cuff inflation. METHODS: Twenty-nine nurses inflated cuffs by a pilot balloon palpation technique in manikins inserted with a 7.5 mm endotracheal tube. Then, being educated about passive release techniques, they inflated cuffs using such a passive release technique. Intracuff pressures and air volumes were measured by manometers and syringes. Preference and ease of use between the two methods were scored using a 10-point Likert scale. RESULTS: For the pilot balloon palpation technique, only 4 nurses (13.8%) inflated cuffs within the normal range of pressures (normal: 15 to 30 mb) with an average of 39.3+/-34.0 cmH2O. For the passive release technique, 19 nurses (65.5%) inflated cuffs within the normal range of pressures with an average of 24.2+/-9.3 cmH2O (McNemar's test, p<0.01). In the pilot balloon palpation technique, inflated air volumes of 7.8+/-2.0 ml were not significantly different from inflated air volumes 8.5+/-1.2 ml (p=0.07) for the passive release technique. But the difference was found to be statistically significant in a variance ratio test (F-test) (p<0.01). In view of preference and ease of use between the two methods, mean values were not statistically different, 7.3+/-2.0 vs. 7.0+/-2.0 and 7.0+/-2.3 vs. 7.3+/-2.4, respectively. CONCLUSION: When direct intracuff measurement is not available, a passive release technique using a syringe is an effective and easy method to achieve cuff inflation.

Evaluation of Proficiency in Chest Compression by Learning Curve-Cumulative Sum Analysis

PURPOSE: Chest compression is the corner stone of resuscitation. As a result, many studies insist on the importance of retention of skill performance. But there are weak points. First, a unique characteristic of skill is ignored, "the more practice, the better outcome". Second, no one knows when they have a proficiency in a skill. Learning curve-CUSUM analysis is a good tool to evaluate each trainee's performance. Hence, we designed this study to evaluate each trainee's proficiency in performing chest compression using LC-CUSUM analysis. METHODS: Four medical students were enrolled. We asked them to perform chest compression for two minutes per day without any intervention over six weeks. Data included the depth and rate of chest compression. Eventually, all trainees performed chest compression at least 30 times. We plotted the LC-CUSUM curve according to the results of attempts, successes or failures. RESULTS: According to median values of the depth and rate of chest compression through the 30th attempt, trainees had performances within the acceptable range, 40~49 mm (for depth) and 100~105 beats per minutes (for rate) of chest compression. Nonetheless, LC-CUSUM analysis indicated that two trainees no longer were proficient throughout, and even though the rest of them were once proficient, they appear to have lost that proficiency regarding depth of chest compression. LC-CUSUM analysis of rate of compression showed that all trainees had proficiency during the early phase. CONCLUSION: We propose that instructors can evaluate their trainees' proficiency easily, based on LC-CUSUM analysis.

Clinical Study of Patients with All-Terrain Vehicle-related Injuries in a General Hospital

PURPOSE: Recently, all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related injuries have increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the ATV injuries in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed the patients who visited Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital emergency center with ATVrelated injuries, from 2004 January to 2008 December. The injury severity was evaluated according to the injury severity score (ISS), the revised trauma score (RTS), and the yrauma score and the injury severity score (TRISS). RESULTS: From 2004 to 2008, a total of 78 cases, 28 male and 50 female, of ATV-related injuries were reviewed. The annual incidence had increased 22.5-fold from 2004(2 cases) to 2008(45 cases). The age ranged from 8 to 68 years (median, 24 years). The most frequently injured site was the lower extremity(48.7%). The primary mechanism of injury was roll-over(35.9%), the next was falling down (33.3%). Eighty-two percent(82%) of accidents occurred on paved roads when ATVs are legislated for off-road use only. The average ISS was 6.8. In cases including both the driver and the passenger, the ISS of passengers was higher than that of drivers(7.4 vs. 4.7). Fifty percent (50%) of patients required an operation. The rate of admission was 62.8%. The average length of hospital stay was 25 days. Eighty-one percent (81%) of patients had no previous experience of operating an ATV. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of patients did not receive any formal training before operating an ATVs. CONCLUSION: Both the incidence and severity of ATV-related injuries are increasing in Korea. There is a lack of regulation enforcement and public awareness of the dangers of ATV use. The wearing of appropriate safety equipment and sufficient education about driving skills can reduce the ATVrelated injuries.