"Patient Visit Restrictions"..Samsung Seoul Hospital's Preventive Measures Against Wuhan Pneumonia

A notice related to 'Wuhan pneumonia' is posted at a hospital in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Samsung Seoul Hospital announced that it will restrict visits to hospitalized patients starting from the 24th, considering the spread of the novel coronavirus infection originating in China, commonly known as 'Wuhan pneumonia.'

More than 600 confirmed cases and 18 deaths have been reported within China, including Wuhan, the initial outbreak site, showing signs of rapid spread. South Korea has also reported its first confirmed case, and with the holiday season increasing travel to and from China, the situation remains unstable. Samsung Seoul Hospital stated, "As a preemptive preventive measure, we have decided to completely ban visitors from seeing hospitalized patients except for one designated guardian for the time being."

The hospital held a countermeasure meeting the previous day and decided to prohibit visits to wards except for one guardian holding an access pass to prevent infectious diseases and maintain a safe hospital environment. However, visits to intensive care units or patients at the end of life are allowed. The hospital explained the visitation restrictions to current patients and their guardians and sent text messages the previous afternoon to future patients and their guardians to inform them of these measures and request their cooperation.

Samsung Seoul Hospital Visitor Restriction Notice

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency considers rapid response at the community and medical institution levels crucial to prevent the spread of this novel coronavirus. In the past, during the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, multiple infections occurred within hospitals. Health authorities urged medical institutions, including hospitals, to thoroughly screen patients with respiratory symptoms by checking travel history to Wuhan City through medical questionnaires or the Drug Utilization Review (DUR) system and to pay close attention to infection control.