J Korean Med Sci.  2016 Jan;31(1):131-138. 10.3346/jkms.2016.31.1.131.

The State of Anesthetic Services in Korea: A National Survey of the Status of Anesthesia Provider in the 2011-2013 Period

• Kim Y
• Kim JM
• Lee SG
• Lee KY
• Hong KH
• Lee KH
• Kim DK
• Hong SJ

• KMID: 2360003
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2016.31.1.131

Abstract

Active involvement of anesthesiologists in perioperative management is important to ensure the patients' safety. This study aimed to investigate the state of anesthetic services in Korea by identifying anesthetic service providers. From the insurance claims data of National Health Insurance for 3 yr, the Korean state of anesthetic services was analyzed. The claims for anesthesia from the medical institutions which hire their own anesthesiologist or with an anesthesiologist invitation fee are assumed to be the anesthesia performed by anesthesiologists. The annual anesthetic data were similar during the study period. In 2013, total counts of 2,129,871 were composed with general anesthesia (55%), regional anesthesia (36%) and procedural sedation with intravenous anesthetics (9%). About 80% of total cases of general anesthesia were performed in general hospitals, while more than 60% of the regional anesthesia and sedation were performed in the clinics and hospitals under 100 beds. Non-anesthesiologists performed 273,006 cases of anesthesia (13% of total) including 36,008 of general anesthesia, 143,134 of regional anesthesia, and 93,864 of sedation, mainly in the clinics and hospitals under 100 beds. All procedural sedations in the institutions without direct employed anesthesiologist were performed by non-anesthesiologists. Significant numbers of anesthesia are performed by non-anesthesiologist in Korea. To promote anesthetic services that prioritize the safety of patients, the standard to qualify anesthetic service is required. Surgeons and patients need to enhance their perception of anesthesia, and the payment system should be revised in a way that advocates anesthesiologist-performed anesthetic services.

Keyword

Anesthesia; Insurance, Health; Operating Rooms; Patient Safety; Surgeons

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Anesthesia/*statistics & numerical data
Databases, Factual
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
National Health Programs
Republic of Korea
Surveys and Questionnaires

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Anesthetic state in Korea (data from NHI, 2013). GA, general anesthesia; RA, regional anesthesia; IVA, intravenous anesthesia.

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  Fig. 2 Annual count of anesthetic cases performed by anesthesiologist or non-anesthesiologist. GA, general anesthesia; RA, regional anesthesia; IVA, intravenous anesthesia.

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  Fig. 3 Annual count of general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation in the primary care institutes without directly employed anesthesiologist (sorted by the class of medical institutes).

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