Current Status of Industrial Disaster Victims’ Medical Care in Korea: Research on Ischemic Stroke, Hemorrhagic Stroke, Intervertebral Disc Disease, and Spinal Fracture

Abstract

Objective To describe the current status of medical care for victims of industrial disaster in Korea, and especially for representative diseases requiring rehabilitation, such as ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke, intervertebral disc disease, and spinal fracture. Method Data were extracted from the electronic data interchange database of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service. Patients who had been approved as industrial disaster victims between January 1 and December 31, 2006 were included. This study covered 4 representative diagnoses: ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, intervertebral disc disease, and spinal fracture. We conducted an analysis of the length of in-patient and out-patient treatment, total length of treatment, medical cost according to types of disease, first admitted medical institute, age, sex, and the number of admissions from the approved time up to June 30, 2008. Results A total of 4,581 patients were included. There were 49, 373, 1,223, and 2,936 patients with ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, intervertebral disc disease, and spinal fracture, respectively. The total length of care tended to be longer in cases of neurologic disease. Positive correlations were observed between the total length of treatment and the type of first admitted medical institute in cases of ischemic stroke and spinal fracture. Medical cost showed an increasing trend in association with length of in-patient care. Conclusion Differences were observed in the total length of care and medical cost, depending on the type of disease. The number of admissions showed a correlation with the length of inpatient treatment. The length of inpatient treatment was the most important factor determining medical cost.