Government Issues First Administrative Order to Secure ICU Beds... Including About 40 Tertiary Hospitals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] The government issued an administrative order to secure hospital beds for the first time targeting tertiary general hospitals and national university hospitals as intensive care unit beds became scarce due to the spread of the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 19th, according to the medical community and local governments, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) sent an official letter titled "Order to Secure Dedicated Treatment Beds for Severe COVID-19 Patients" to local governments and others the day before.

The CDSCH stated in the letter, "As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is increasing nationwide, securing beds capable of treating critically ill patients is a crucial situation," and added, "We intend to promptly secure dedicated treatment beds for severe patients mainly at tertiary general hospitals and national university hospitals."

Tertiary general hospitals were ordered to secure at least 1% of their licensed hospital beds, and national university hospitals were ordered to secure at least 1% of their licensed beds as dedicated beds to treat severe patients.

According to the current "Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act," the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, provincial governors, or mayors, county governors, and district heads can mobilize medical institution beds and other facilities as part of infectious disease prevention measures during an outbreak. It is known that this is the first time that bed mobilization orders have been issued even to private tertiary general hospitals since the COVID-19 situation began in Korea.

As a result of this measure, major general hospitals known as the "Big 5," as well as about 40 tertiary general hospitals, must secure at least 1% of their authorized beds as dedicated beds for severe patients as approved by health authorities.

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