Patterns of Emergency Department Use During the Korean Doctor's Strike

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: From June 20, 2000, to June 24, 2000, for five nationwide hospitals and clinics went on strike in opposition to the government 's policy on the separation of dispensaries from medical practice. The present study examined the present state of medical examination and treatment and the management system of the third medical institution to indicate a model for dealing with such strikes ahead in the future. METHODS: The present state of the medical examination and management system in eight hospitals of the nationwide emergency medical centers was examined. The term of strike, June 20, 2000, to June 24, 2000, for five days, was the subject term; Five weekdays of the week just prior to the strikes and two consecutive holidays, January 1, 2000, and January 2, 2000, were chosen as a contrast group. RESULTS: During the term of strike, the number of patients was larger than it was on the weekdays, but was less than it was on consecutive-holidays. In severity triage, the ratio of emergency patients increased but non-emergency and delayed patients decreased than consecutive-holidays, and the number of medical personnel decreased for all types of visits. The attending hospitals in cases of disease increased, and the ratio of internal medicine, general surgery, obstetrics, orthopedics patients increased than consecutive-holidays level, and the ratio of gynecology, phychiatry, opthalmology patients increased than consecutive-holidays and weekdays level. The ratio of cases in CPR decreased, and deliveries was at the same level as it was on the weekdays. Both radiation tests and emergency tests decreased. CONCLUSION: During a strike, carrying out severity triage and operating emergency outpatient care for non-emergency patients, such as outpatients, may be desirable. Adding emergency-treatment manpower to the areas where the number of patients increased, putting additional nursing and assistance manpower in emergency and operation rooms, providing for administration manning at the consecutive-holidays level, and resetting radiation and examination manpower at the consecutive-holidays level should be considered in managing effectively and emergency medical center.