"Cardiac Arrest? We Arrived First" Emergency Room Paralyzed by Rampage

Police Dispatched but Mr. B's Abusive Language Continues
Emergency Room Paralyzed After Over an Hour of Protests

A woman who caused a disturbance for nearly an hour because medical staff treated a cardiac arrest patient who arrived at the emergency room later than her was revealed to have been sued.

According to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency on the 10th, a man identified as Mr. A collapsed while at a sauna on the night of the 1st and was transported to the emergency room of a hospital in Gangwon Province. After examining his condition, the medical staff recommended a computed tomography (CT) scan and completed the initial examination.

The Emergency Medical Service Act stipulates that anyone who obstructs emergency medical care shall be punished by imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won. However, emergency treatment is not on a first-come, first-served basis. The priority of treatment is determined by medical staff based on the severity of the emergency symptoms.
[Photo by Yonhap News TV]

Shortly after, a cardiac arrest patient was brought into the emergency room. The medical staff immediately began emergency measures to revive the patient whose heart had stopped. While the medical staff was focused on treatment, a woman identified as Ms. B, who had come as a guardian of the man who arrived earlier, suddenly started protesting.

Ms. B shouted at the medical staff, "You left him unattended for 15 minutes. You neglected him. He suddenly collapsed and was brought here by ambulance," and added, "Then suddenly a cardiac arrest patient came," raising her voice.

Emergency Treatment Is Not First-Come, First-Served... Priority Changes Based on Medical Staff's Judgment

A woman who caused a disturbance for nearly an hour because medical staff treated a cardiac arrest patient who arrived at the emergency room later than herself was reported to have been sued, news of which emerged belatedly. The photo is unrelated to the specific content of the article.
[Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@]

The Emergency Medical Service Act stipulates that anyone who obstructs emergency medical care may face imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won. However, emergency treatment is not on a first-come, first-served basis. The priority of treatment is determined by the medical staff based on the severity of the emergency symptoms. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's notice, cardiac arrest patients are classified as Grade 1, the highest priority for emergency treatment. The medical staff informed Ms. B of this fact at the time.

However, Ms. B was unreasonable. After hearing the explanation, she continued to protest, saying, "Just watch your words. If you are a doctor, how could you not say a single word to the patient or the guardian?" This protest lasted for over an hour, and eventually, the medical staff called 112 (emergency number).

When the police arrived, Ms. B's rude remarks continued. She raised her voice, saying, "Watch your words. How could a doctor not say a single word to the guardian?" Her protest lasted for more than an hour, causing other patients to have to wait. Meanwhile, Mr. A was found to have no significant abnormalities in the detailed examination and was transferred to another hospital.

During this time, other emergency room patients were unable to receive treatment. Mr. A was found to have no particular issues in the detailed examination and was soon transferred to another hospital.

As a result, the hospital filed a complaint against Ms. B for obstruction of business at the Sokcho Police Station in Gangwon Province. An emergency medicine doctor at the hospital said, "(Most cases) end with just complaints, but this was the first time for such an incident," adding, "We cannot neglect seriously ill patients."