[Exclusive] "Told to Leave Overnight" COVID-19 Dedicated Pyeongtaek Bakae Hospital Patients 'Furious'

Parkae Hospital Rearranges All Beds for COVID-19 Patients
Persuades Existing Patients to Transfer to Other Hospitals... Some Conflicts Arise

A view of Pyeongtaek Bakae Hospital, which has allocated all hospital beds for COVID-19 patients. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Park Ae Hospital in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, has decided to dedicate all its beds to patients infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), transferring existing patients to nearby hospitals. In some cases, patients were discharged entirely, leading to criticism that the hospital may have recklessly taken on the role of a COVID-19 base hospital.

There are also concerns that this may have infringed on patients' rights to receive medical care, which are guaranteed under medical law. The hospital has not issued any specific statements regarding the controversy.

According to a report by Asia Economy, a patient named Kim, who was admitted to the hospital, was advised by the doctors conducting morning ward rounds that the hospital had been designated as a COVID-19 base hospital and that he should seek treatment at another hospital.

However, it was Kim's responsibility to find another hospital. Kim's family expressed their frustration, stating, "They say they are treating COVID-19, but they told all existing patients to leave without any arrangements or consideration for transfer hospitals." They added, "From the patient's perspective, it was merely a kind of notification to 'go to another hospital'."

Ultimately, Kim decided to be discharged rather than continue treatment at another hospital and is currently being managed at home. Some have pointed out that this situation may have infringed on the patient's rights. Patients' rights and duties are legally guaranteed (related to Article 1-3, Paragraph 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Medical Service Act).

According to item 'a' of the relevant law regarding the 'right to receive medical care,' it states, "Patients have the right to receive appropriate health care services for the protection and promotion of their health, and their health rights shall not be infringed upon due to gender, age, religion, status, or economic circumstances. Medical personnel may not refuse treatment without justifiable reasons."

In Kim's case, since the hospital where he was admitted became a COVID-19 base hospital, he was discharged overnight, which can be seen as not receiving proper medical care. The hospital was asked for a statement regarding this matter but has not provided any response.

Summarizing the series of events, for patients who were already admitted, the hospital's designation as a COVID-19 base hospital forced them to either find another hospital or be discharged altogether.

Negative pressure isolation room for COVID-19. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Kim Byung-geun, director of Park Ae Hospital, appeared on a radio broadcast and stated that patients agreed to transfers through smooth persuasion.

Director Kim explained the patient persuasion process: "Because our medical staff have good relationships with patients, most patients agree to move to another hospital or change their primary physician, even if it causes some inconvenience. Including various factors, even if it is uncomfortable, if the hospital operates as a facility that can treat critically ill COVID-19 patients during this pandemic, most patients are willing to cooperate. So far, there have been no major difficulties in patient transfers."

On another radio broadcast, Director Kim said, "It is very difficult for our primary physicians to persuade patients to move to other hospitals or adjust treatment timing, but fortunately, our medical staff have been working hard to explain and persuade patients well. Up to now, most patients have agreed to endure some inconvenience if Park Ae Hospital can provide a place where COVID-19 can be properly treated. Although some may disagree, the transfer process has been proceeding smoothly so far."

However, contrary to Director Kim's explanation, some patients had no choice but to be discharged instead of receiving treatment at another hospital, leading to views that the hospital's dedication may have lost its luster.

Meanwhile, once designated as a COVID-19 base hospital, the hospital cannot accept general outpatient visits. Since the 15th, the hospital has stopped outpatient care. The hospital plans to free up 220 beds to exclusively treat about 100 critically ill patients.

They are also preparing to accept COVID-19 patients requiring dialysis using kidney dialysis equipment. The hospital, which has begun bed reallocation, is expected to start admitting COVID-19 patients from early January after completing related construction for COVID-19 patients.

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