A Retrospective Clinical Study of Patients who visited the Emergency Room of Korean Medicine Hospital affiliated with the Korean Medical School

Article information

J Korean Med. 2020;41(2):107-121
Publication date (electronic) : 2020 June 1
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.20018
Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital
Correspondence to: Kyung Ho Kim, Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital, 27, Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, 10326, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-31-961-9117, FAX: +82-31-961-9128, E-Mail: omdkkh@hanmail.net
Received 2020 April 17; Revised 2020 May 16; Accepted 2020 May 21.

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of patients who visited the emergency room (ER) of a Korean medicine (KM) hospital and to provide basic data for further research.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis using electronic medical records of 263 patients who visited the ER of OO University Oriental Hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

Results

Of the 263 patients’ medical records, 245 were included in this analysis. The male-to-female ratio was 1.09:1. The average age was 52 years, with patients in their 40s having the largest distribution. The district where the hospital was located had the largest number of patients. The distribution by visit time was the lowest in the early morning. Most patients visited on Sunday, in September, and on the day of onset. The admission rate was 39.18%, and largest number of patients was admitted to the Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. The percentage of patients who revisited the KM hospital as an outpatient were 26.17%. The diagnosis for most patients was musculoskeletal disease. Acupuncture was the most common treatment, accounting for 62.45% of the cases, followed by herbal medicines, accounting for 54.69% of the cases. National health insurance was the most common type of insurance registered. Most patients visited the ER of the KM hospital via the ER of the hospital.

Conclusions

This clinical analysis helped us identify the characteristics of patients visiting the ER of a KM hospital. Continuous data accumulation is required in relation to this for further studies.

Fig. 1

Flow diagram

Fig. 2

Classification by Arrival Time

Fig. 3

Classification by Week

Fig. 4

Classification by Month

Classification by Sex and Age

Classification by Residence

Classification by Onset time

Classification by hospitalization or revisit patient

Classification by Disease

Classification by Treatment

Classification by insurance type

Classification according to Hospital visits prior to emergency room of the Korean Medicine Hospital

Classification by treatment in emergency room of the Hospital before visiting emergency room of the Korean Medicine Hospital

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Article information Continued

Fig. 1

Flow diagram

Fig. 2

Classification by Arrival Time

Fig. 3

Classification by Week

Fig. 4

Classification by Month

Table 1

Classification by Sex and Age

Age Male (Ratio, %) Female (Ratio, %)
10~19 3 (1.22) 0 (0)
20~29 13 (5.31) 9 (3.67)
30~39 27 (11.02) 13 (5.31)
40~49 25 (10.20) 29 (11.84)
50~59 23 (9.39) 28 (11.43)
60~69 18 (7.35) 12 (4.90)
70~79 12 (4.90) 15 (6.12)
80~89 4 (1.63) 9 (3.67)
90≥ 3 (1.22) 2 (0.82)

Total 128 (52.24) 117 (47.76)

Table 2

Classification by Residence

Residence Number (Ratio, %)
Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si 93 (37.96)
Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 39 (15.92)
Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si 33 (13.47)
Paju-si 25 (10.20)
Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul 14 (5.71)
Mapo-gu, Seoul 1 (0.41)
Gangseo-gu, Seoul 3 (1.22)
Seoul (excluding Eunpyeong-gu, Mapo-gu, Gangseo-gu) 10 (4.08)
Gyeonggi-do (excluding Goyang-si, Paju-si) 12 (4.90)
Incheon 5 (2.04)
Others 10 (4.08)

Total 245

Table 3

Classification by Onset time

Time after onset Number (Ratio, %)
0~24hrs 91 (37.14)
1day 46 (18.78)
2days 34 (13.88)
3days 19 (7.76)
4days 10 (4.08)
5days 6 (2.45)
6days 4 (1.63)
7days 6 (2.45)
1~2weeks 14 (5.71)
2~4weeks 4 (1.63)
4~6weeks 6 (2.45)
Over 6weeks 5 (2.04)

Total 245

Table 4

Classification by hospitalization or revisit patient

Admission or Discharge Number (Ratio, %)
Admission 96 (39.18)
 Acupuncture & Moxibustion 52 (21.22)
 Korean Medicine Rehabilitation 35 (14.29)
 Internal Korean Medicine 7 (2.86)
 Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology 2 (0.82)
Revisit after discharge from emergency room 53 (21.63)
 Acupuncture & Moxibustion 17 (6.94)
 Korean Medicine Rehabilitation 17 (6.94)
 Internal Korean Medicine 2 (0.82)
 Other department 3 (1.22)
 Emergency room 14 (5.71)
 No revisits 96 (39.18)

Total 245

Table 5

Classification by Disease

Disease Number (Ratio, %)
Musculoskeletal system
 Neck pain 57 (23.27)
 Back pain 87 (35.51)
 Shoulder pain 12 (4.90)
 Ankle pain 7 (2.86)
 Thorax pain 4 (1.63)
 Hip pain 8 (3.27)
 Knee pain 7 (2.86)
 Foot pain 2 (0.82)
 Wrist pain 2 (0.82)
 L/E pain 5 (2.04)
 Pelvic pain 4 (1.63)

Circulatory & Nervous system
 Headache 2 (0.82)
 Facial palsy 21 (8.57)
 Cerebral concussion 4 (1.63)
 Dizziness 5 (2.04)
 Paresthesia 2 (0.82)

Digestive system
 Abdominal pain 3 (1.22)
 Dyspepsia 4 (1.63)
 Nausea 1 (0.41)
 Vomiting 1 (0.41)

Respiratory system
 Chronic cough 1 (0.41)
 Dyspnea 1 (0.41)

Psychogenic disease
 Anxiety 3 (1.22)

The others
 General weakness 1 (0.41)
 Skin disease 1 (0.41)

Total 245

Table 6

Classification by Treatment

Treatment Number (Ratio, %)
Acupuncture 153 (62.45)
Cupping, dry 38 (15.51)
Cupping, wet 105 (42.86)

Herbal medicine 134 (54.69)
 Dangkwisoo-san 20 (8.16)
 Jackyakgamcho-tang 21 (8.57)
 Sodo-hwan 3 (1.22)
 Hwallak-dan 24 (9.80)
 Hyeonggaeyeongyo-tang 2 (0.82)
 Ojeok-san 1 (0.41)
 Banhasasim-tang 1 (0.41)
 Gamiguibi-tang 1 (0.41)
 Hyangsapyeongwi-san 1 (0.41)
 Banhabakchulchunma-tang 4 (1.63)
 Cheongsimwon 1 (0.41)
 Chungsanggyuntong-tang 1 (0.41)

Herbal pain relief patch 54 (22.04)

Others
 Exercise therapy education 2 (0.82)
 Neck collar 4 (1.63)
 Counseling (No prescription) 2 (0.82)
 Chuna therapy 1 (0.41)
 Blood pricking therapy 2 (0.82)
 Taping therapy 1 (0.41)
 Intradermal acupuncture 1 (0.41)

Table 7

Classification by insurance type

Insurance Number (Ratio, %)
National health insurance 162 (66.12)
Protection type 1 insurance 6 (2.45)
Auto insurance 77 (31.43)

Total 245

Table 8

Classification according to Hospital visits prior to emergency room of the Korean Medicine Hospital

Visit Number (Ratio, %)
Emergency room of the Hospital (Including visits 1~3 days ago) 164 (66.94)
Other Hospitals 10 (4.08)
Only Emergency room of the Korean Medicine Hospital 71 (28.98)

Total 245

Table 9

Classification by treatment in emergency room of the Hospital before visiting emergency room of the Korean Medicine Hospital

Treatment Number (Ratio, %)
X-ray 136
CT 40
MRI 18
Lab 33
Analgesic 125
Medication excluding analgesic 9