In Daegu, pregnant woman shuttled between ERs; 28-week twins suffer death and brain damage

A pregnant woman in Daegu Metropolitan City who was at risk of preterm birth was unable to find a hospital and went without appropriate treatment for several hours. During that time, one of her twins died and the other fell into critical condition, a fact that has only recently come to light and has caused public shock.
According to fire authorities and others on the 7th, on February 28 an American woman who was 28 weeks pregnant and staying at a hotel in Daegu Metropolitan City began experiencing abdominal pain and signs of preterm labor.
Her husband first contacted a primary medical facility, but was only advised to visit a higher-level hospital because she had no prior treatment history there. As her condition worsened, he called 119 Emergency Services again in the early morning hours.
Paramedics arrived at the scene, but the transfer did not take place immediately. Hospitals in Daegu Metropolitan City reportedly said one after another that they could not accept her, citing a lack of neonatal care facilities, forcing the mother to wait inside the ambulance.
In the end, the husband decided to drive himself, and the vehicle carrying the mother headed to a hospital in another region. Even while driving, they stayed in contact with 119 Emergency Services, searching for a medical institution that could accept her.
During this process, they again came into contact with paramedics, but the transfer directions did not align, causing further delays. Later, after reconnecting with an ambulance in the North Chungcheong Province area, she was finally transported to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital.
By that time, her condition had reportedly deteriorated rapidly, with her amniotic fluid having ruptured and her blood pressure dropping.
The mother arrived at the hospital and underwent emergency surgery about four hours after the initial call, but one of the twins died. The other suffered brain damage and is currently receiving treatment. The mother’s life is fortunately not in danger.
The bereaved family is reportedly considering legal action against the state and other parties.
Back in 2023, a teenager in Daegu Metropolitan City died after being turned away by multiple hospitals in a widely publicized "emergency room ping-pong" case. In response, authorities introduced an accountable emergency medical service system to address delays in transfer and refusals to accept patients.
However, with hospital admission delays and confusion over transfers recurring in this case, many are criticizing that the emergency medical system introduced at that time is not functioning properly in the field, effectively neutralizing the 119 Emergency Services–centered hospital designation and admission system.
gimju@fnnews.com Kim Jang-uk Reporter