The South Korean government has announced a significant change in the process for transferring severe emergency patients, shifting the responsibility from the 119 ambulance service to the national Health and Welfare Ministry's Situational Room. This initiative is part of a pilot project set to begin next month in three regions: Gwangju, North Jeolla, and South Jeolla. It aims to streamline the hospital search process for emergency patients and reduce the time spent on transferring these patients, which previously often resulted in delays and inadequate immediate care due to complex coordination processes.

Under the new system, once a severe emergency patient's details are shared via an internal system, the health ministry’s Situational Room will oversee identifying a suitable hospital for their transfer based on real-time capacities. This innovation directly addresses issues experienced by the 119 ambulance service, which often found themselves repeatedly calling hospitals only to be met with refusals, causing unnecessary delays. The new protocol aims to reduce these inefficiencies and ensure that patients receive timely treatment, as organizations assist in stabilizing patients in designated ‘priority accepting hospitals’ while proper care facilities are identified.

The pilot program is set to last three months, and the government plans to analyze its outcomes to formulate a nationwide strategy by the second half of the year. Alongside strategies for severe emergencies, plans for less severe patients have also been developed, allowing for a clearer pathway for care under the supervision of the 119 ambulance teams. Overall, these shifts represent a concerted effort by the South Korean government to enhance emergency medical care and ensure an effective response in critical situations.