Busan's Acute Poisoning Transport System Cuts Hospital Selection Time by 46%

Busan Metropolitan City launched the nation’s first "Busan-type acute poisoning emergency patient sequential treatment system" in early 2024. The programme, coordinated by the Busan Emergency Medical Support Group and the Busan Fire and Disaster Headquarters, routes 12 participating emergency hospitals to triage patients by severity.

From January to June, 837 acute‑poisoning cases (453 severe, 384 mild) were transferred through the system. Average hospital‑selection time fell from 29.1 minutes to 15.8 minutes, a 46% reduction, and out‑of‑region transfers dropped from 21.7% to 0.6%. Over 60% of patients were suicide attempts, prompting post‑treatment linkage with mental‑health welfare centres. City health director Cho Kyu‑yul said the model reduces the “emergency‑room loop” and will be expanded to trauma, paediatric and obstetric emergencies.