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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest on the basis of Heart Saver laureate. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) outcomes and the clinical characteristics of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest by analyzing the data of two regions. The data were prehospital emergency reports of 473 patients who survived for ＞ 72 hours after ROSC in two region from January 2012 to December 2013. Results: Among the ROSC patients, 86.8% (G), 77.9% (S) were men and 72.9% (G), 67.9% (S) were of age 41~70 years, 87.6% (G), 82.9% (S) had a witnessed cardiac arrest; and 66.7% (G), 70.6% (S) received cardiopulmonary resuscitation from bystander. Of those who performed the resuscitation, paramedics in 89.1% (G), 89.8% (S). Furthermore, 119 emergency medical technicians were involved in 69.0% of two-rescue teams in G and in 90.4% of three-rescue team in S. Conclusion: Most heart savers were qualified paramedics, and three-rescuer-teams resulted in better survival rate than two-rescuer-teams.

Purpose: This study examined the effect of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), positive airway pressure, and the posture of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) when conducting CPR. Methods: Twenty 119 EMTs performed 30:2 CPR on a manikin for 4 min. Imaging data were digitized with Kwon3D XP (version 4.0). Data were collected by analyzing the motion when starting in one cycle, such as pressing to the maximum and in the final position (relaxed), and were analyzed with SPSS 18.0. Results: The angle of the elbow joints was significantly reduced (p＜.05). The trunk angle was statistically significantly (p＜.01, p＜.001) increased. The angular velocities of the shoulder joint and left elbow joint were reduced (p＞.05). The angular velocity of the trunk was significantly reduced in the starting and maximum compression postures. The hand-escape time was increased. The average compression depth was increased but not significantly (p＞.05). The positive airway pressure was reduced (p＞.05). Conclusion: The angle of the elbow joints and the angular velocity of the trunk were reduced, and the angle of the trunk was increased. The success of CPR and positive airway pressure was reduced.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the work and job satisfaction of military emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: We selected 122 military EMTs who participated in the refresher education in 2012. This study was conducted from November 12 to December 21, 2012. Results: The most frequent duties of military EMTs were scene assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, surgical treatment, prehospital first-aid, transfer to the hospital, education, and call response. The air force and navy EMTs had better performance than the army EMTs. As for job satisfaction, the work itself ranked highest, whereas payment ranked lowest. Conclusion: The scope of the work of the military EMTs varied in the 14 fields of work but should be considered for further evaluation. In order to increase the job satisfaction of EMTs, their work conditions should be improved such as through salary increase and extra pay for those with professional certificates.

Purpose: This study validated the influential relations between the effects of emergency care quality, credibility of 119 emergency medical technicians (119 EMTs), and perceived usefulness and attitude of emergency care, focusing on the moderating effect of protectors’characteristics (education, experience, age, and recognition of patient severity). Methods: This study was based on elaboration likelihood and technology acceptance models. In total, 172 protectors with experience in utilizing prehospital service were surveyed from April 1 to July 31, 2011. Results: The results showed that the emergency care quality and the credibility of 119 EMTs were the main determinants of the perceived usefulness and attitude of emergency care, irrespective of the protector’s characteristics (p＜.001). In addition, the findings showed that the protector’s intention of emergency care had a moderating role. The impact of the quality of emergency care on its perceived usefulness was greater for high-level protectors (p＜.001). By contrast, the impact of the credibility of 119 EMTs on the perceived usefulness of emergency care was greater for low-level protectors (p＜.001). Conclusion: The protectors’characteristics have different influences on the relations between the effects of emergency care quality, the 119 EMT credibility, and the perceived usefulness and attitude of emergency care.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSSs) and their correlation with subjective health condition (SHC) among emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was disseminated to EMTs (N=257) at emergency medical institutions and fire stations. Results: The prevalence of MSSs was very high in the studied EMTs: 88.3% reported having MSSs. The most commonly affected site was the lower back (73.9%) followed by the neck (56.8%) and the shoulder (55.6%). MSSs were more common in women than in men, and its frequency increased with age. MSSs in the neck and shoulder were more increased in EMTs with ＜ 1 year of service. MSSs in the hand / wrist / finger or leg / foot were significantly increased in EMTs of emergency medical institutions than those of fire stations. Job satisfaction was significantly lower in those with MSSs of the lower back. The subjective heath condition was decreased with age, marriage, or smoking. There was significant corelation between MSSs and SHC. Conclusion: This study suggests that MSSs are a reasonably common problem for EMTs, and that solutions need to be imposed such as some actual tasks or items related to work postures, work control, and work organization.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an appropriate direction for an effective field practice program by analyzing the factors related to practical procedures in the ambulance ride practice of paramedic students in Korea. Methods: Questionnaires were answered by 202 paramedic students from March 28 to April 15, 2014. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 18.0 program. Results: The general level of procedural exposure during ambulance ride practice was 59.0% on average. Considering the practice of specific areas, vital sign checking, patient assessment, and oxygen supply showed relatively high percentages of 92.3%, 77.4% and 72.6%, respectively, whereas the areas of fluid and drug, airway, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation recorded relatively low percentage of 25.8%, 24.1% and 50.2%, respectively. The level of direct practice was significantly high in the group that included the largest number of paramedics. Conclusion: For an effective field practice, the place of practice needs to have various cases of patients to ensure a wide experience of procedures during the practice, and ambulance workers with a high level of expertise should be selected to ride with students.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate ethical ability among paramedic students by analyzing their moral intelligence and whistle-blowing intention. Methods: Data from 117 paramedic students were collected from September 7 - 14, 2015. The questionnaire measured the level of moral intelligence (7 components, 41 items) and whistle-blowing intention (8 items) of paramedic students. Results: The mean score of moral intelligence was 3.07 (±0.28) and that of whistle-blowing intention was 3.13 (±0.42). Moral intelligence and whistle-blowing intention showed a significantly positive correlation with each other (r = .328, p ＜.001). Conclusion: It is desirable to introduce moral education contents and methods for paramedic students in order to enhance their moral intelligence and whistle-blowing intention.

Purpose: This study was performed targeted to paramedic and doctors, to examine the frequency, importance, and admissibility of the tasks of paramedics, and to establish as a basis for expanding their business scope. Methods: The subjects were 282 paramedics and 58 doctors, and the study was performed from October 20 to November 19, 2014. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS/WIN 20.0. Results: The results showed the difference between the legal business scope of paramedics and the actually performed work. The frequently covered areas were trauma, cardiac arrest, and respiratory care; however, severity classifications were the most important. Concerning drug administration, epinephrine administration seemed to be the most necessary. Conclusions: The findings of this study can be used as basic data to broaden the capacity building and business scope of paramedics. Furthermore, to increase the resuscitation rate of emergency patients, the various tasks of paramedics must be incorporated, and these should be supported by laws and institutions.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the chest compression quality between compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and conventional CPR. Methods: This study involved 123 participants randomly assigned to either the chest compression- only CPR training and conventional CPR training. After training for 120 min, the participants performed CPR for 4 min and the CPR quality was evaluated. The primary outcome was evaluated as the mean compression depth, and the secondary outcome was calculated as the proportion of chest compressions with an appropriate depth among the total chest compressions. Results: The mean compression depth was more deeper in conventional CPR than in compression-only CPR (57mm vs. 53mm, p ＜.001). The proportion of appropriate chest compression depth was also more higher in conventional CPR (98.8% vs. 68.6%, p ＜.001). As compared with every minute over time for a total of 4 min, the mean compression depth and the proportion of appropriate chest compression depth were deeper and higher after 1 min in conventional CPR than in compression-only CPR. Conclusion: The results suggested that conventional CPR is a better method than compression- only CPR in terms of chest compression quality.