[Reporter’s Notebook] The Death of a Nurse at a Major Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A seasoned nurse with over ten years of experience working at Seoul Asan Medical Center, one of South Korea's leading hospitals, recently suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while on duty. However, she was unable to undergo surgery at her own hospital and had to be transferred to another facility. This was because the medical staff capable of performing the surgery were absent due to attending a conference.

The nurse, who was transferred without receiving treatment at her own hospital, underwent surgery at the receiving hospital but ultimately passed away on the 30th of last month, less than a week later. This fact came to light after a post was made on an anonymous community for office workers. Hospital staff were outraged. Disappointment in the hospital for failing to adequately protect its own employees, feelings of self-reproach about how to care for patients in the future, and criticism of the medical system all intertwined in various opinions.

What is most shocking is that the hospital where this nurse worked is widely recognized as the number one hospital in the country, with over 10,000 outpatients daily and more than 100,000 emergency patients annually. The emergency room is always overcrowded with numerous emergency patients every day. Yet, there was no medical staff available to perform the surgery, and the employee could not receive the operation. The golden hour critical for emergency patients was not secured. If even an employee so close to the hospital faced such a situation, questions arise about how ordinary emergency patients can be handled. If even a hospital representing the nation is like this, it inevitably raises fundamental doubts about the current emergency medical system.

This incident should also prompt serious discussion about nurses' burnout issues. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, nurses in large hospital wards have been caring for patients under extreme tension for over two years. Until the hospital's strict social distancing guidelines were lifted, they barely went out, refraining from travel or dining out, steadfastly guarding the hospital. Meanwhile, as the September accreditation evaluation approaches, stories abound of nurses at various hospitals suffering from excessive workloads and stress. It is uncertain who might collapse next and where. The veteran nurse, who was closer to the hospital than anyone else, passed away in this way. Her funeral was held at the hospital where she had worked, not the hospital where she received surgery and treatment. We respectfully offer our condolences to the deceased.

Gwanju Lee, Reporter, Biohealth Department, Asia Economy.