J Agric Med Community Health.  2025 Sep;50(3):215-223. 10.5393/JAMCH.2025.50.3.215.

Analysis of Emergency Medical Transport Time for Patients with Severe Injuries during Agricultural Work and Its Implications

• Cho S

• KMID: 2576750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2025.50.3.215

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to estimate emergency medical transport time for patients with severe injuries, with a particular focus on those resulting from agricultural works.
Methods
Using nationwide data from the 2016-2021 Community-based Severe Trauma Survey, including 266,677 cases transported by 119 Emergency Medical Services units across Korea, the multivariate linear regression model was estimated to identify factors contributing to transport delays for severe injuries occurred during agricultural work.
Results
Transport time was significantly longer for injuries occurred during agricultural work, with an average delay of 5.06 minutes compared to other causes, even after controlling for factors influencing transport duration. Delays peaked during the farming season(July-October), and substantial geographic variations were observed.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the structural vulnerabilities of rural emergency medical systems, particularly in responding to severe agricultural injuries. Targeted policy interventions are needed to significantly reduce emergency medical transport times, particularly during peak agricultural periods when systemic delays are most pronounced.

Keyword

Severe agricultural injury; Emergency medical services; Transport time