Chonnam National University Hospital Receives 'Grade 1' in Neonatal ICU and Anesthesia Appropriateness Evaluation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam National University Hospital (Director Ahn Young-geun) has received first-grade ratings in both the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and anesthesia appropriateness evaluations announced by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service conducted an appropriateness evaluation of NICUs from October 2020 to March 2021, targeting 84 general hospitals or higher-level medical institutions where NICU inpatient care occurred.

The evaluation criteria included ▲number of NICU beds per dedicated specialist ▲availability rate of specialized equipment and facilities ▲presence of infection control protocols ▲implementation rate of severity assessments ▲NICU readmission rate within 48 hours, among others.

Jeonnam National University Hospital received favorable evaluations across all indicators, including the number of NICU beds per dedicated specialist, availability of specialized equipment and facilities, and implementation rate of severity assessments.

In particular, Jeonnam National University Hospital operates the Ministry of Health and Welfare-designated ‘High-Risk Maternal and Neonatal Integrated Care Center.’

This center is among the largest nationwide, featuring a 12-bed high-risk maternal-fetal intensive care unit and a 45-bed NICU.

The center provides systematic and integrated treatment for mothers and newborns with severe complex diseases throughout the entire pregnancy and childbirth process by operating 24/7 with expanded state-of-the-art medical equipment, facilities, and specialized medical personnel in areas such as ▲maternal-fetal intensive care units ▲maternal-fetal operating rooms ▲neonatal intensive care units ▲delivery rooms.

Especially in the NICU, the center is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of newborns born to high-risk mothers, premature and high-risk infants, as well as those born with multiple malformations or suspected congenital anomalies.

Additionally, Jeonnam National University Hospital received first-grade ratings consecutively twice in the anesthesia appropriateness evaluation. In the first evaluation announced in June 2020, the hospital scored 96.8 points overall, and in this second evaluation, the score increased to 97.4 points.

The second anesthesia appropriateness evaluation was conducted from January to March 2021, targeting 387 hospital-level or higher medical institutions where anesthesia inpatient care occurred.

The evaluation criteria included ▲average monthly anesthesia time per anesthesiology specialist ▲number of types of special equipment owned ▲management activities related to anesthesia drugs ▲rate of pre-anesthesia patient evaluations ▲maintenance rate of normal body temperature during and after anesthesia, among others.

Jeonnam National University Hospital achieved perfect scores in many evaluation indicators, including the rate of pre-anesthesia patient evaluations, measurement rates of nausea, vomiting, and pain scores in the recovery room, operation of the recovery room, and specialist on-call status.

Director Ahn Young-geun stated, “Jeonnam National University Hospital is not only the regional hub hospital responsible for the final care of critically ill neonatal patients but also ensures safe anesthesia for various surgeries. We will continue to provide high-quality medical services prioritizing patient safety.”

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