University Hospital Refused Transfer of Female Student Who Collapsed from Cardiac Arrest at School... "Medical Capacity Insufficient"

Medical staff capacity insufficient, transfer refused due to inability to accommodate

Emergency Room Treatment Delay Notice Posted at Hospital. Photo by Yonhap News.

A woman in her 20s collapsed on a university campus in Gwangju and was transferred to another university hospital emergency room after being refused transport by the university hospital emergency room, but she eventually fell into an unconscious state.

According to the Gwangju Dongbu Fire Station, at around 7:40 a.m. on the 5th, a report was received from a janitor that a college student, A (19, female), had collapsed near Chosun University in Dong-gu, Gwangju.

The fire authorities found A in cardiac arrest at the scene and called the emergency room of Chosun University Hospital to arrange transport. However, the emergency room refused the transfer, stating that the medical staff was not available to accommodate her.

Ultimately, the 119 ambulance team transported A to the emergency room of Chonnam National University Hospital. A, who received treatment at Chonnam National University Hospital, regained breathing but is reported to be in an unconscious state.

It was investigated that A had participated in a university club's rural volunteer activity and attended a gathering from the afternoon of the previous day. It is reported that she drank alcohol late into the night with other students at restaurants near the school.

So far, no external injuries or signs of criminal suspicion have been found on A's body. The police and fire authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.