Citizens prioritize emergency care system to end ER diversions

Citizens have ranked the establishment of a system that ensures timely treatment within the golden hour for emergency patients as their top priority for regional and essential healthcare policies. This initiative aims to prevent the phenomenon known as 'ER뺑뺑이,' where emergency patients face delays in reaching hospitals for critical care.

The findings come from the first public deliberation and discussion results announced by the Citizen Panel Steering Committee, under the Medical Innovation Committee. The citizen panel, comprising 300 participants, was formed to reflect public opinion on strengthening regional and essential healthcare. After preliminary learning, the panel engaged in discussions over two days.

When asked to select one priority regional and essential healthcare policy, 25.4% of the citizen panel chose 'establishing a system where golden-time treatment is provided within the emergency period.' Following closely were 'fostering regional and essential healthcare personnel' (23.9%) and 'designating 10 regional national university hospitals as hub hospitals to develop them to the level of large Seoul hospitals' (23.1%).

The citizen panel also defined the scope of essential medical services that should be guaranteed within one's city or county. These include treatment for mild illnesses, pediatric care during evenings and holidays, 24-hour emergency services, time-sensitive treatments for conditions like myocardial infarction and stroke, childbirth, and post-discharge rehabilitation and nursing care. For severe and complex surgeries, such as cancer treatment, most respondents felt it should be guaranteed within the broader metropolitan or provincial area, with some willing to travel to the Seoul metropolitan area.