"Real-Time Specialist Connection On-Site"... Jeonbuk Fire Department Revamps Direct Medical Guidance System

Transition from Honam Joint System to Independent Jeonbuk Model
960 Cases of IV Fluid Administration Lead the List
30 Emergency Specialists Participating

The Jeonbuk Provincial Fire Department announced that, since the official launch of its independent direct medical guidance system in January this year, a total of 1,789 medical guidance cases had been conducted as of the end of April. According to the department on May 12, the 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center is operating a direct medical guidance system in which emergency medicine specialists participate in real time in the on-site emergency care provided by paramedics.

Direct medical guidance is a system where, in the event of a serious emergency such as cardiac arrest, severe trauma, or respiratory distress, on-site paramedics are immediately connected with emergency medicine specialists to receive real-time guidance on drug administration and emergency treatment. This is regarded as a core emergency medical response system that directly contributes to improving patient survival rates and reducing long-term disabilities.

Previously, direct medical guidance was operated as a joint system among Jeonbuk, Gwangju, and Jeonnam in the Honam region. Starting this year, the Jeonbuk Provincial Fire Department transitioned to an independent, localized system, restructuring its operations to enable field-centered medical guidance tailored to regional needs.

Currently, a medical guidance pool consisting of 30 emergency medicine specialists from hospitals in the province, including Jeonbuk National University Hospital and Wonkwang University Hospital, is in place. The 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center serves as a hub, providing 24-hour medical guidance and emergency consultation support.

As of April, an analysis of medical guidance by drug type showed that intravenous fluid administration (N/S) was the most common, with 960 cases. This was followed by dextrose (D/W) with 365 cases, epinephrine with 315 cases, and nitroglycerin (NTG) with 60 cases. It was found that a significant portion of the guidance involved the administration of specialized drugs for critically ill patients, indicating the system's active utilization.

In addition to drug guidance, on-site specialized medical consultation and emergency care guidance according to the patient's condition are being provided concurrently, which is evaluated as having enhanced the systematic nature of field responses.

Lee Osuk, Chief of the Jeonbuk Provincial Fire Department, stated, "We will continue to strengthen the direct medical guidance system centered on the 119 Emergency Medical Situation Management Center and expand cooperation between on-site emergency teams and medical institutions to provide more professional and prompt emergency medical services."