Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital

Amid rising attention on non-contact services due to COVID-19, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital is receiving attention for its post-management of foreign patients through the telemedicine system.

A Mongolian patient who suffered from the bent nose by past accident underwent rhinoplasty and reconstructive septoplasty at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital in September last year. After he regained the shape and function of his nose through the successful surgery, he went back to Mongolia. He returned to his daily life but also needed constant follow-up management after the surgery.

Instead of receiving follow-up care by onsite Mongolian doctors who were not involved in the surgery, the patient could see Professor Kyu Young Choi of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, who conducted the surgery through Kangnam’s telemedicine system. Kangnam hospital has established a post-management system connected to Mongolia in 2018 in cooperation with Korea Health Industry Development Institute.

He visited the post-management center in the First Central Hospital of Mongolia where the video system is connected to Kangnam hospital and received an intranasal endoscopy from Mongolian doctor while Professor Kyu Young Choi was watching. Professor Choi confirmed that the patient’s nose was healing well and prescribed medicine for rhinitis.

“I feel reassured and relieved to think that I can prepare for unexpected situations with my Korean physician even in Mongolia,” said the patient.

Based on this successful experience, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital will try to expand its telemedicine system in cooperation with other hospitals in neighboring countries such as China, Vietnam, and Russia.

“Based on this success, we will make an environment where patients at home and aboard can access medical services without restrictions of distance and space,” said Professor Dong Jin Lee of Otorhinolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery who also serve as Chief Planning Officer of Kangnam hospital. He added, “We will also improve the quality of our medical care by managing from initial treatment to follow-up care perfectly.”

By Hyun Ho Choi, Int’l Cooperation Team, HUMC (dullie1989@hallym.or.kr)