No. 151 / Apr 19, 2021
The Ajou University Hospital has contributed to the development of medicine since its opening in 1994. The Ajou University Hospital, which was the only university hospital in Gyeonggi-do, and it was certified by the Joint Commission International (JCI) three times in a row, selected as one of the world’s top 100 hospitals by Newsweek, and ranked third in the National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI). It has also received excellent evaluations, placing in the top 2% of the country in the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) 2020 medical quality assessment. Recently, the Ajou University Hospital was selected for the “Project to Support the Evaluation of New Product Users (Medical Institutions) of Domestic Medical Devices” organized by the MOHW and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI). In line with this, the Ajou Globe (The AG) will introduce two recent cases of the Ajou University Hospital.
Ajou University Gymnasium Vaccination Center
The Ajou University Hospital, which has been recognized externally for its active research until recently, was selected as a COVID-19 vaccination center. Suwon City’s No.1 vaccination center includes 13 doctors, nurses, and pharmacists at the Ajou University Hospital. Suwon City and the Ajou University Hospital were able to increase their professionalism thanks to cooperation through an agreement on the consignment operation of vaccination centers. Suwon City prepared vaccinations centered on the “Vaccination Response Promotion Team” and “Regional Council Meeting” formed in January under the government’s vaccination program. On February 26, vaccinations began priority groups at infectious facilities, such as nursing hospitals and frontline healthcare workers. The standard for the installation of vaccination centers is that at least one vaccination center should be set up in every city, county, or district with more than 500,000 citizens. Suwon City has requested for four installations and plans to install three more installations in addition to the Ajou University Gymnasium. Vaccinations began on April 1, 2021. In April, the vaccination target is an applicant for vaccination among people aged 75 years and older and will be vaccinated by Pfizer. Mock vaccination training was conducted from March 17, 2021, assuming the actual vaccination situation. About 70 people, including administrative and medical personnel, soldiers, police, firefighters, and virtual inoculators, participated in the mock vaccination training jointly organized by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS). From vaccination preparation to first aid for abnormal responders, they trained to prepare for all types of situations that could potentially occur during actual vaccination. After receiving information on the possible timing of inoculation for each one, reservations could be made online or via telephone reservations through call centers (1339). Vaccination against ordinary citizens began in July. It takes more than two to three weeks for antibodies to form after vaccination. Since social distancing is a type of behavioral vaccine, it should be maintained even after being vaccinated. Suwon City is trying to minimize public inconvenience by providing various support, such as providing a shuttle service from the Suwon World Cup Stadium parking lot to the Ajou University Gymnasium.
Dr. Helicopter Project of the Ajou University Hospital
The Ajou University Hospital has been operating its seventh Dr. helicopter, since August 31, 2019. Unlike the previous Dr. Helicopters, which were only operational during the daytime, the new Dr. Helicopter is available 24/7 to rescue. The Dr. Helicopter was able to operate for 24 hours because of the tireless efforts of the surgeon Lee Cook-jong of the Ajou University Hospital and Gyeonggi Provincial Governor Lee Jae-myung. At the beginning of the operations of Dr. Helicopter, they saved an average of one person every three days and the rescue success rate was 89.5%. Since the operation of Dr. Helicopter business, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a one-year contract with the Ajou University Hospital, it decided not to extend the contract for the last time this year. KAI stated that although it has been trying to contribute to the establishment of a 24-hour emergency medical service system using domestic Surion helicopters, it has not been profitable due to the aftermath of COVID-19. As it is difficult to continue operations due to accumulated deficit, it seems that the pandemic has also caused disruptions in the supply and demand of the parts necessary for maintaining and repairing helicopters. Given that Dr. Helicopters are narrower than ambulances and do not have a closed off a pilot seat, there is a risk of infection, so patients suspected of COVID-19 infection may be denied boarding, which has consequently reduced demand. If the contract with KAI ends this year, then the helicopter business will have to select a new business establishment. The Gyeonggi Province has showed a strong commitment to the helicopter business so that Dr. Helicopter project could continue the next year. The Ajou University Hospital, a place where practical helicopter operations take place, promised additional cooperation to facilitate consultations with the government regarding business operations in Gyeonggi Province. A Gyeonggi Province official said, “Dr. Helicopters are essential for the safety of Gyeonggi-do residents. We are currently waiting for the MOHW’s decision to select the next operator.”
By Lee Yun-zee, AG Reporter
lyz5511@ajou.ac.kr
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