'Customer-Centered Smart Hospital' Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital Officially Opens on the 30th

The Nation's First 'Metaversepital' Implemented in a Domestic Hospital
Six Severe Disease Clusters Including Cancer Hospital and Cardiovascular & Cerebrovascular Hospital

Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Central University Gwangmyeong Hospital, which emphasizes a 'patient-centered smart hospital,' held its opening ceremony on the 30th and is poised to become a central hospital in the southwestern metropolitan area. Although Central University Gwangmyeong Hospital began medical services on March 21, its official opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the 29th, Hospital Director Lee Cheol-hee held a press conference and expressed his ambition, saying, "We will grow into a hospital that can become the center of the medical system not only in Gwangmyeong City and the southwestern metropolitan area but also in South Korea."

Located in the KTX Gwangmyeong Station area, Central University Gwangmyeong Hospital was built with 8 basement floors, 14 above-ground floors, and a total floor area of 97,000㎡, accommodating 700 beds. The hospital plans to grow as a 'smart hospital' based on five core values: customer-centricity, transparency, pursuit of excellence, communication and cooperation, and safety.

The area receiving the most attention is 'customer-centricity.' First, it has implemented the country's first 'Metaverspital,' a metaverse platform where patients can check medical procedures, consultations, and routes in advance before visiting the hospital. There are also plans to fully implement and open to the public the outpatient area from basement level 1 to the 3rd floor within this year. Director Lee expects, "Even patients visiting our hospital for the first time will be able to resolve their questions about medical treatment." There are also plans to expand the metaverse coverage to the Gwangmyeong Station area in cooperation with Gwangmyeong City.

The hospital has introduced a universal outpatient system that can be operated flexibly according to the medical department schedules. Instead of having separate outpatient clinics for each department, treatment rooms are allocated as needed to departments with many patients, efficiently using space and significantly reducing patients' waiting times. It is also the first hospital building in Korea to install evacuation balcony systems on both sides of the entire ward, providing immediate and safe evacuation for patients in emergencies, reflecting meticulous safety systems.

Central University Gwangmyeong Hospital has established six major specialized clusters (Cancer Hospital, Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Hospital, Spine Center, Joint Center, Respiratory Allergy Center, Gastroenterology Center) and introduced a one-stop medical system that completes the process from cancer diagnosis to surgery within about a week. It offers a new healing experience through top-tier medical staff. Professor Kim Yi-su, an authority on breast and thyroid cancer, serves as the Cancer Hospital director; Professor Kim Sang-wook, a renowned expert in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular fields, leads the Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Hospital; and Professors Park Seung-won, Park Yong-beom, Choi Jae-cheol, and Park Tae-young head the Spine Center, Joint Center, Respiratory Allergy Center, and Gastroenterology Center, respectively. Director Lee emphasized, "Preliminary research showed that 86% of cancer patients in this area go outside for treatment," adding, "We will meet the demand for severe diseases."

Central University Gwangmyeong Hospital aims to enter the top-tier general hospital category by 2026. In September, it plans to open the Soha Health Screening Center and foster symbiotic growth by forming organic relationships with various industries such as healthcare, medical devices, and artificial intelligence within the Gwangmyeong Medical Complex Cluster, thereby revitalizing regional healthcare.