'5.5 Billion Invested' Jeonnam 119 Smart System Useless

Jo Ok-hyun, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member: "Going to the Hospital by Private Car is Faster"
"Utilization Should Be Increased Through Hospital Agreements and Designation of Responsible Persons"

Jo Ok-hyun, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Council (Democratic Party of Korea·Mokpo 2), pointed out the "deficiencies of the Jeonnam Fire Department 119 Emergency Smart System" and urged the establishment of active solutions during the 2nd supplementary budget review of the Provincial Council Budget and Accounts Special Committee held on the 27th.

The "119 Emergency Smart System" is a system where patient information entered through a device used by the 119 emergency team at the scene is simultaneously transmitted to each medical institution. Considering patient acceptance availability and regional transfer guidelines, the system automatically selects the optimal hospital suitable for the patient and notifies the emergency team. It has been operated by all emergency teams in the province since this year.

Jo Ok-hyun, Jeonnam Provincial Council Member.

Councilor Jo stated, "Despite the operation of the 119 Emergency Smart System, in the actual field, emergency personnel still have to call hospitals one by one to check availability," and pointed out, "Hospitals need to continuously monitor patient occurrence situations and decide on approval, but it is difficult for hospitals to conduct constant monitoring."

He continued, "Because of this situation, cases where patients choose to go to the hospital by private car instead of using an ambulance are repeatedly occurring," and criticized, "Although 5.5 billion KRW has been invested in the system until this year, the system is practically useless."

Councilor Jo also emphasized, "While introducing a good system is important, ultimately, field utilization is the key. To properly utilize the well-established system, I hope large hospitals in Jeonnam will first sign agreements, designate persons in charge at each hospital, and prepare improvement measures," and stressed, "A prompt solution must be prepared to prevent cases where patients give up ambulances and use private vehicles to go to hospitals."