Korea's 117 children's hospitals were cited as the only solution to stemming the "ER pilgrimage," which occurs when patients can't find an emergency room. Eight out of 10 children's hospitals also expressed willingness to treat pediatric emergency patients.

At a news conference Monday, the Korean Children's Hospital Association unveiled the results of a survey on the treatment of pediatric patients according to the Korean Triage and Acuity Scale (KTAS) conducted on 117 children's hospitals nationwide from July 3-5.

Ninety children's hospitals responded to the survey, and 73, or 81.0 percent, said they could treat critically ill patients with the KTAS Level of 3.

Forty-six hospitals, or 51.0 percent, said they could provide direct care for patients classified as Level 2, and 44 hospitals (49.0 percent) said they could care for patients classified as Level 1, the highest critical illness requiring resuscitation.

For KTAS grades 4 and 5, classified as non-emergency and mild, 77.0 percent (69 hospitals) and 88.0 percent (79 hospitals) could provide care.

"Children's hospitals mostly treat children with critical emergencies, such as high fever, febrile convulsions, respiratory distress, and severe dehydration," said Choi Yong-jae, vice chairman of the association, who analyzed the survey. "Patients and guardians are also highly satisfied with the care they receive as they provide appropriate treatment for many emergency patients who visit at night and on holidays."

Considering some tertiary general hospitals, including university hospitals, refuse even visits by pediatric patients, the ability of children's hospitals across the country to treat pediatric emergency patients means that they can keep the golden hour (for emergency patients), Choi said.

However, despite their ability to serve as the first-line defense in pediatric emergency care, Choi pointed out that the golden time for children's hospitals is running out, stressing the need for a system that can independently support children's hospitals as a pillar of the pediatric emergency medical system.

"Children's hospitals that only treat pediatric patients rely on treatment fees and basic revenues to stay afloat," Choi said. "We would like the government to recognize the capabilities of children's hospitals and designate them as special hospitals, like pediatric rehabilitation hospitals, so they can receive independent support."

The government should recognize that the 117 children's hospitals nationwide have strengths in treating pediatric patients, he emphasized that it should design a system that complements their weaknesses to prevent ER pilgrimage by younger patients and protect their precious by discussing with their association.

"We must work out a pediatric emergency medical system by including children's hospitals in the system, even if the emergency medical system of senior general hospitals does not work," Choi said. "We cannot save patients' lives with only a sense of mission. Please support us for the sake of sustainable medical care."