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Changes to the Korean Disaster Medical Assistance System After Numerous Multi-casualty Incidents in 2014 and 2015
Myeong-Il Cha1, Minhong Choa2, Seunghwan Kim2
11Myongji Hospital,Emergency Medicine,Goyang,Korea.
Objective:
A number of multiple-casualty incidents during 2014 and 2015 brought changes to Korea's disaster medical assistance system. We report these changes here.
Methods:
Reports about these incidents, revisions to laws, and the government's revised medical disaster response guidelines were reviewed.
Results:
The number of DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) staff members was reduced to 4 from 8, and the mobilization method changed. An emergency response manual was created that contains the main content of the DMAT, and there is now a DMAT training program to educate staff. The government created and launched a national 24-hour Disaster Emergency Medical Service Situation Room, and instead of the traditional wireless communications, mobile instant smart phone messaging has been added as a new means of communication. The number of disaster base hospitals has also been doubled.
Conclusion:
Although there are still limitations that need to be remedied, the changes to the current emergency medical assistance system are expected to improve the system's response capacity. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:526-530).
Insights
Korea enhanced its disaster medical assistance system after major incidents in 2014-2015. Key changes include revised Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) operations and a new 24-hour emergency medical service situation room.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health Preparedness
- Disaster Management
Background:
- Multiple-casualty incidents in 2014 and 2015 necessitated significant reforms in South Korea's disaster medical response framework.
- Previous disaster medical assistance systems faced challenges in effectively managing large-scale emergencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze the specific changes implemented in Korea's disaster medical assistance system following recent critical incidents.
- To evaluate the impact of these reforms on the nation's capacity to respond to mass casualty events.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of incident reports, legislative revisions, and updated government guidelines for medical disaster response.
- Analysis of structural and operational changes within the disaster medical assistance system.
Main Results:
- Reduced Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) size (from 8 to 4 members) with altered mobilization protocols.
- Development of an emergency response manual and a dedicated DMAT training program.
- Establishment of a national 24-hour Disaster Emergency Medical Service Situation Room and integration of smartphone messaging for communication, alongside a doubling of disaster base hospitals.
Conclusions:
- The implemented changes, while facing some limitations, are anticipated to significantly enhance the responsiveness and effectiveness of Korea's emergency medical assistance system.
- Continuous improvement and addressing remaining challenges are crucial for optimizing disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
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