Gangbuk Samsung Hospital Completes 4-Year Expansion and Renovation... "Transforming into an Urban Complex Medical Campus"

Expansion of Building C... 80% Increase in Medical and Examination Spaces

Exterior view of Gangbuk Samsung Hospital (Photo by Gangbuk Samsung Hospital)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] Kangbuk Samsung Hospital is reopening after four years of renovation. With the new C Building, an 8-story above-ground and 4-story underground structure, the outpatient space has been significantly expanded to enhance medical functions, while also maximizing customer convenience through advanced technology. Notably, the underground parking lot has been equipped with facilities that can be converted into temporary isolation rooms in case of infectious disease outbreaks or other emergencies, a first in Korea.

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital announced that on the 18th, a completion ceremony was held at the C Building with about 40 attendees including Director Shin Ho-cheol and other officials. The event was conducted simultaneously online and offline due to COVID-19. Director Shin stated, "This environmental improvement project focused on building infrastructure with a 100-year hospital vision and establishing a foundation for precision medicine and AI medical services, which will be fundamental for patient treatment in the future. Based on fulfilling the basic function of healthcare, we will lead the future with new innovations and challenges to become a warm hospital that repays patients' trust."

The renovation focused on expanding and rearranging outpatient treatment spaces and creating an urban park through underground parking.

Lobby space of Building C filled with about 1,300 books (Photo by Gangbuk Samsung Hospital)

First, the new C Building expanded outpatient treatment and examination spaces by 80% compared to before. Additionally, regular negative pressure operating rooms were increased, internal medicine, surgical, and neurological intensive care units were separated and expanded, negative pressure isolation rooms were newly established, advanced intervention rooms were expanded, and the cardiovascular angiography room was enlarged. Infrastructure to enhance treatment effectiveness was actively developed by introducing the latest linear accelerators for cancer treatment and chemotherapy preparation robots.

The specialized centers within Kangbuk Samsung Hospital increased from three to five with the addition of the Musculoskeletal Disease Center and Prostate Center. These specialized centers provide customized medical care by introducing multidisciplinary collaboration and one-stop treatment.

Another notable feature is the establishment of temporary isolation rooms capable of treating acute patients during infectious disease outbreaks or disasters. Normally used as a parking lot, this space can be converted into a temporary isolation ward with 11 beds in emergencies. The design of these temporary isolation rooms was heavily influenced by Director Shin’s previous visit to a hospital in Israel during a medical industry inspection. Director Shin said, "I once visited a hospital in Tel Aviv with an eight-story underground parking lot, and I was told that in wartime, about half of the parking area is converted into patient rooms. Upon verification, I found that the parking lot was transformed into single rooms, which I believe can be applied domestically as well."

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital is also striving to provide AI-customized medical services by utilizing video big data. A remote consultation system has been established for workers residing overseas. Additionally, patients can use smartphones for appointment booking, payment, and online certification services.

The existing above-ground parking lot was moved underground, transforming the entire parking area into a park. The park includes an outdoor fountain and walking trails, aiming to create a 'Central Park in the city center.' The lobby of the C Building houses about 1,300 books, creating a cultural and healing space where anyone can comfortably read or relax.