Two urgent care centers… Focus on acute diseases such as trauma and high fever
Four hospitals dedicated to treating surgical emergency patients 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The city of Seoul announced on the 25th that it will operate an emergency treatment center and a disease-specific hospital where patients who have difficulty receiving emergency room treatment due to mild illnesses can visit at night and on holidays.
For the first time in the country, the city has established a cooperative system with medical institutions and 119 emergency services, operating two ‘Seoul-type Urgent Care Centers (UCC)’ and four ‘Seoul-type disease-specific hospitals’ where patients with mild symptoms can receive emergency treatment at night and on holidays. Let’s begin.
First, two ‘Seoul-style emergency treatment centers’ will be operated from 9 a.m. to midnight every day with a resident doctor. Starting with Healthier 365 Clinic (Yangcheon) and Seoul Seok Hospital (Songpa) this year, we plan to expand every year.
The center is equipped with the testing facilities and equipment necessary for treatment, and focuses on trauma and acute diseases (abdominal pain, cough, high fever, vomiting, etc.), which are mild diseases that have recently seen a lot of visits to the emergency room, for patients who visit the hospital and patients transferred by 119 emergency services. Treat.
If symptoms do not improve after first aid at the emergency treatment center or the patient is diagnosed as seriously ill, we have also established a response system that can transfer the patient to a nearby higher-level medical institution.
In addition, the Seoul-type disease-specific hospital is a 24-hour hospital for trauma patients whose emergency room treatment is often limited due to the recent shortage of doctors and gaps in the back-up medical department.
This year, the city started with four hospitals dedicated to surgical diseases, including One Top Hospital (Gangseo), Seoul Yonsei Hospital (Mapo), Seoul Prime Hospital (Gwangjin), and Leaders Hospital (Gangdong), and also opened hospitals dedicated to other diseases such as ophthalmology and obstetrics and gynecology. We plan to expand this to prevent any disruption in timely treatment of emergency patients.
At least one doctor is stationed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is equipped with facilities and equipment to treat emergency trauma patients and perform emergency surgeries, and also treat patients who visit the hospital or are transferred to the 119 ambulance.
In case a patient receiving treatment has worsening symptoms or is diagnosed as a critically ill patient, a ’trauma integration network’ will be established so that hospitals dedicated to each disease and the National Medical Center (Seoul Trauma Center) can transfer patients to each other depending on the patient
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How will the integration of the 119 emergency services improve patient care in the new emergency healthcare model?
Interview with Dr. Kim Joon-ho, Emergency Medicine Expert
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Kim, and thank you for joining us today. The recent announcement by the city of Seoul regarding the establishment of new urgent care centers and specialized hospitals has generated quite a buzz. Can you explain how these new facilities will impact emergency healthcare in Seoul?
Dr. Kim: Thank you for having me. The introduction of the ‘Seoul-type Urgent Care Centers’ and the specialized hospitals represents a significant shift in how we manage emergency care, particularly for mild to moderate health issues. These centers will alleviate pressure on traditional emergency rooms, allowing them to focus on serious cases.
Editor: That’s an important point. With these centers specifically targeting trauma and acute diseases like abdominal pain or high fever, how do you foresee the reception from the community?
Dr. Kim: I believe the community will respond positively, especially since many individuals experience difficulty accessing timely care during off-hours or on holidays. With these facilities operating from 9 a.m. to midnight, people will have a reliable alternative for those non-life-threatening emergencies, reducing unnecessary waits in overcrowded ERs.
Editor: The integration with the 119 emergency services is also noteworthy. Can you elaborate on the transfer system between these urgent care centers and higher-level hospitals?
Dr. Kim: Absolutely. If a patient visits a center and their condition doesn’t improve or is deemed serious, there’s a structured response system to transfer them to a higher-level facility. This is crucial for ensuring that patients receive the necessary care rapidly and effectively. The network will allow for smooth transitions, which is especially important for trauma patients.
Editor: The announcement also mentions a dedicated focus on surgical emergency patients. How are the four hospitals involved equipped to handle these cases, particularly given the current doctor shortages?
Dr. Kim: These hospitals are designed to operate 24/7 with at least one doctor on-site at all times. This consistent availability is critical. They are equipped for true emergency scenarios and have the capability to perform surgeries right away. While challenges like the doctor shortage persist, having dedicated institutions specifically for surgical emergencies should help mitigate some of those issues.
Editor: Considering the range of facilities—both for trauma and different diseases—how do you see this model influencing emergency medicine on a national level?
Dr. Kim: If successful, Seoul’s model could serve as a blueprint for other cities in South Korea and even internationally. By creating specialized networks and making use of urgent care centers, we could improve the efficiency of emergency services nationwide, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Editor: Looking ahead, what do you think will be the next steps for these facilities in terms of expansion and development?
Dr. Kim: I envision continued expansions to include more urgent care centers and specialized hospitals, possibly in under-served areas. There should also be ongoing assessments of these facilities to understand patient flow and needs better. Collaborations with training programs for emergency personnel will be vital to ensure high-quality care as these systems evolve.
Editor: Dr. Kim, your insights are invaluable. Thank you for shedding light on this important development in Seoul’s healthcare system. We look forward to seeing how these initiatives progress and benefit the community.
Dr. Kim: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time for emergency medicine in Seoul, and I’m optimistic about the future of patient care in our city.