Abstract
The aim of this report is to identify the medical response capabilities of infectious disease management organizations through a designation and medical response resource analysis and provide basic data for the efficient use of resources in the event of an emerging infectious disease crisis. The status of the designation of infectious disease management organizations and medical response resources (hospital beds, medical personnel, and equipment), as well as the installation of infectious disease management facilities, was analyzed. As of June 30, 2024, the number of infectious disease management organizations was 159, a decrease of 118 (42.6%) compared with number of organizations in the third quarter of 2023 (277). The total number of negative pressure beds was 1,052, and the number of ventilators was 4,156 units. Further, 236 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation units and 562 continuous renal replacement therapy units were identified, along with 139 infectious diseases, 218 respiratory diseases, and 28 pediatric infections. Of the 1,052 negative-pressure isolation beds, 457 (43.4%) were owned in the capital region, and most of the medical equipment and specialist personnel were concentrated there; therefore, a difference in the distribution of resources between regions was evident. A difference was observed in the status of medical response resources per 1,000,000 individuals by region. Regional differences in medical resources per 1,000,000 individuals were noted, particularly in Gyeongbuk region, which had the fewest resources compared to other regions. To efficiently utilize resources during an infectious disease crisis, improving the designation and management systems of infectious disease management organizations is necessary, as is establishing a cooperative system among local infectious disease management organizations at the regional level.