Chonnam National University Hospital Declares Second Leap on 110th Anniversary, Announces 'Smart Hospital Construction'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam National University Hospital (Director Lee Sam-yong) declared its second leap forward as a cutting-edge smart hospital based on AI and big data on the occasion of its 110th anniversary.

Jeonnam National University Hospital announced that on the 25th, it held a ceremony to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the hospital's founding and the 3rd anniversary of Jeonnam National University Children's Hospital at the Centennial Hall in Building 6 of the hospital.

The ceremony was held in a simplified manner with about 40 people including hospital executives and board members attending, without inviting external guests due to the impact of COVID-19, while maintaining social distancing.

Director Lee Sam-yong said, "By faithfully performing the core duties of a national university hospital?research, treatment, and education?and working hard to improve the health of local residents and advance domestic medical care, we have grown into the nation's top tertiary hospital." He added, "Moving forward, let us build a cutting-edge smart hospital system based on AI and big data to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution era."

He continued, "Over the past three years, we have laid the foundation for the software and hardware of Jeonnam National University Hospital to lead future medicine through strengthening research capabilities, solidifying management, enhancing specialized medical competencies, and expanding public healthcare."

Jeonnam National University Hospital is focusing on strengthening research capabilities to lead the medical field in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.

First, the hospital is constructing a Biomedical Research Support Center and expanding research infrastructure by remodeling Medical School Building 3 into a research building, thereby establishing a solid research foundation.

Additionally, by participating in this year's AI healthcare startup nurturing platform project, the hospital has established a Healthcare Big Data Center. It is also focusing on strengthening research capabilities through selection for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's research-oriented hospital development project and the establishment of the Senior Cosmedicare Demonstration Center.

In the treatment sector, the hospital has established a patient-centered treatment system by improving treatment processes.

Last year, by operating a rapid response team to promptly manage hospitalized patients in emergency situations, the hospital achieved reductions in patient deaths and medical accidents.

Furthermore, by operating a day ward that allows patients undergoing simple procedures and surgeries to be admitted in the morning and discharged in the afternoon, the hospital made meaningful progress in resolving inpatient congestion and improving patient satisfaction.

The most notable achievement in the treatment sector of Jeonnam National University Hospital is its swift response to COVID-19 and high-quality patient care.

Since the first confirmed COVID-19 patient in Korea in January, the hospital has operated a screening clinic and held daily rapid response team meetings to prevent the spread of infection.

Subsequently, by expanding the screening clinic, operating a public reassurance hospital, and converting Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital into an infectious disease specialized hospital, the hospital actively embraced government policies and greatly contributed to promoting the excellence of Korean medical care worldwide.

In the education sector, the hospital has strengthened expertise and re-education through various programs such as regular training for residents since 2010, customer service special lectures for staff, organizational activation program training, and orientation for new employees.

In the public sector, the hospital faithfully fulfills its role as a regional chief medical institution and has signed cooperation agreements with over 720 hospitals to establish a rapid and smooth cooperative medical system with primary and secondary medical institutions in the region.

In medical volunteer work, the hospital has conducted a total of about 120 volunteer activities over the past three years, including about 10 overseas medical volunteer missions, actively engaging in public healthcare activities both domestically and internationally.

As a result of these efforts, the hospital received the good news that it was ranked among the top 10 national university hospitals for two consecutive years, second only to Seoul National University Hospital, by Newsweek, a global weekly magazine.

Director Lee said, "Just as Jeonnam National University Hospital has overcome numerous historical hardships over 110 years with all staff united, let us now open a new era of medical excellence for the next 100 years. Let us maintain a healthy labor-management relationship through communication and harmony and create a hospital culture where working is enjoyable, building a cutting-edge smart hospital."