Masan Medical Center, a Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital, Resumes Admission and Treatment of General Patients

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[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kang Sharon] Gyeongnam Province announced on the 14th that Masan Medical Center, a provincial hospital designated as an infectious disease-dedicated hospital since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will resume inpatient treatment for general patients.

Since being designated as an infectious disease management-dedicated hospital on February 26, Masan Medical Center had emptied existing inpatient beds to accommodate confirmed COVID-19 patients, but will resume inpatient treatment for general patients starting from the 15th.

The province stated that the recent COVID-19 situation in the province has stabilized, and with the increase in demand for inpatient beds for general patients following the reopening of outpatient clinics, it has decided to adjust COVID-19 beds to operate general inpatient beds.

Accordingly, 68 beds will be allocated for COVID-19 patients, and 140 beds will be operated for general patient inpatients.

Masan Medical Center plans to clearly separate the movement paths of COVID-19 patients and general patients, considering the risk of infection due to the simultaneous operation of COVID-19 and general beds.

Additionally, for patients requiring inpatient treatment, the hospital will provide prior explanation that there is a possibility of "emptying the hospital again" in case of a shortage of COVID-19 beds due to future confirmed cases, before proceeding with the admission process.

Departments such as thoracic surgery, urology, psychiatry, dermatology, which were not included in the outpatient clinic reopening due to treatment by external professors, as well as the intensive care unit, hospice ward, and 365 Safe Ward, will also gradually resume treatment.

Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of the province, said, "To minimize the treatment gap for residents, we have adjusted COVID-19 beds to allow inpatient treatment for general patients after the reopening of outpatient clinics. However, we will focus all efforts on infectious disease management by being able to quickly convert general inpatient beds back to COVID-19 beds at any time in preparation for a surge in COVID-19 patients."

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