Seoul National University Hospital Expands COVID-19 Negative Pressure Beds to 32... Largest Among the 'Big 5'

From 20 to 32... "Treatment for Severe COVID-19 Patients"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Seoul National University Hospital announced on the 21st that it has added a negative pressure isolation ward for the treatment of severe COVID-19 patients and high-risk patients, securing a total of three negative pressure isolation wards and plans to operate 32 beds. This is the largest scale among the top-tier general hospitals known as the 'Big 5'.

Seoul National University Hospital has been additionally operating Ward 38, which has a total of 12 negative pressure beds, as a negative pressure isolation ward for COVID-19 patient care since the 18th. This ward, opened by remodeling an existing ward, is equipped with facilities, equipment, and personnel for treating severe patients, such as ventilators and high-flow oxygen therapy. Treatment will focus on severe COVID-19 patients who are critically ill or have worsened to require intensive care, as well as high-risk patients needing specialized treatment.

Currently, the negative pressure isolation beds that Seoul National University Hospital holds for COVID-19 patient treatment have increased to a total of 32, including 12 beds in Ward 39 (nationally designated beds) and 8 beds in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (DICU) for severe patients.

With the additional beds secured, the hospital plans to actively accommodate not only severe patients but also high-risk confirmed cases requiring specialized treatment, such as children, pregnant women, dialysis patients, and organ transplant recipients.

Hospital Director Kim Yeon-su said, “It was not an easy decision to secure additional beds for severe patients while already treating nearly 20 severe COVID-19 patients,” and added, “I am grateful to everyone who worked hard to secure additional beds despite the heavy workload.”