Seoul National University Hospital, Sinchon Severance, and 7 Others Designated as 'COVID-19 Severe Emergency Treatment Centers'

Seoul City Provides Rapid Treatment After Assessing Severity and Infection Status for Symptomatic Emergency Patients

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 20th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it has designated and is operating nine large hospitals as 'COVID-19 Severe Emergency Medical Centers' to provide rapid and appropriate medical services to severe emergency patients showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), such as fever or respiratory distress.

This measure aims to prevent cases where severe emergency patients are not accepted due to concerns about infection in emergency rooms amid the community spread of COVID-19, and to provide rapid and appropriate emergency treatment for severe COVID-19 emergency patients.

The Seoul COVID-19 Severe Emergency Medical Centers are designated mainly among regional emergency medical centers and tertiary general hospitals with excellent infection control and treatment capabilities: ▲ Northwest region includes Seoul National University Hospital, Sinchon Severance Hospital, and Kangbuk Samsung Hospital ▲ Northeast region includes Korea University Anam Hospital and Hanyang University Hospital ▲ Southeast region includes Seoul Asan Medical Center and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital ▲ Southwest region includes Korea University Guro Hospital and Ewha Mokdong Hospital.

These nine medical centers are equipped with 'pre-patient screening stations' and 'isolation treatment zones (each center having at least five general and negative pressure isolation beds)' to take responsibility for treating severe emergency patients suspected of COVID-19 symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.

Patients visiting these centers will have their severity and infection status checked at the 'pre-patient screening station' before entering the hospital, and severe emergency patients with suspected symptoms will receive emergency treatment in a separate 'isolation treatment zone.'

Seoul City is guiding mild patients to visit nearby 'regional emergency medical centers' or 'regional emergency medical institutions' to prevent the possible restriction of entry for mild patients in advance.

Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul said, "In the emergency medical system crisis caused by COVID-19, such as emergency room closures, we will do our best to designate and operate 'COVID-19 Severe Emergency Medical Centers' and establish a transport system according to severity so that severe emergency patients can receive rapid and appropriate treatment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.