Study on the appropriateness of oxygen supply before visiting the emergency center patients with 119 rescue services

¹Department of Emergency Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea
²Gyeongsang Institute of Medical Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea

Correspondence

Sang Bong Lee ,Tel: 055-750-8284, Fax: 055-757-0514, Email: bongbong3131@gmail.com,

Received: November 8, 2023; Revised: March 6, 2024 Accepted: October 10, 2024. Published online: October 30, 2025.

ABSTRACT

Objective:
Prehospital emergency medical systems play a pivotal role in modern healthcare, with 119 paramedics assuming a crucial responsibility for evaluating and providing initial treatment to emergency patients before hospital transfer. This study evaluated the appropriateness of oxygen supply by 119 paramedics in the prehospital phase, addressing a notable research gap.
Methods:
Data were collected from a regional emergency medical center with an annual patient admission average of approximately 27,000 in 2021. During this period, 6,223 patients were transferred via 119 rescue services. One thousand and sixty-eight patients were included for analysis.
Results:
The patients were categorized into three groups based on changes in prehospital and emergency center oxygen dosages: oversupply group (higher prehospital oxygen dosage) with 477 patients (44.7%), equivalent supply group (equal dosage) with 319 patients (29.9%), and undersupply group (lower dosage) with 272 patients (25.5%). Significant differences in age, PaO₂, bicarbonate, and SaO₂ were found among the three groups.
Conclusion:
Significant variations in oxygen dosages administered through 119 rescue services were observed, particularly among elderly patients, after arrival at the emergency center. Accurate determination of the appropriate oxygen dosages may influence hospital transfer decisions and treatment priorities. These results underscore the importance of accurate oxygen dosage management in prehospital and emergency center settings.

Key words: Emergency medical services; Oxygen inhalation therapy; Patient transfer