Seoansan Geriatric Hospital: A Sanctuary of Sincere Healing
Emphasizing Patient Safety and Advanced Care in a Super-Aged Society
- super-aged society
- Seoansan Geriatric Hospital
- Smart AI caregiving system
- Caregiver Fee Support
- patient safety
이보람 기자
25-07-04
With the advent of a super-aged society, medical care and long-term support for the elderly have emerged as pressing issues that require collective attention. Long-term care hospitals, in particular, play a crucial role in helping patients discharged from university hospitals return to their communities and homes in good health. However, a few isolated cases have contributed to the spread of negative perceptions about long-term care hospitals, and the lack of accessible information makes it difficult for families to choose a trustworthy facility. In response, Health Kyunghyang has launched a special feature series titled “SafePlus Long-Term Care Hospital Field Report” to introduce reliable long-term care hospitals across the country—places where the public can feel more at ease when making important decisions. The second hospital featured in this series is Seoansan Geriatric Hospital. <Editor’s Note>
“Seoansan Geriatric Hospital is a place where sincerity heals. It may not be a grammatically perfect expression, but we believe that our patients, their families, and society as a whole will recognize the sincerity behind it. Every member of our staff works wholeheartedly with that belief in mind”
When asked to describe Seoansan Geriatric Hospital in a single phrase, this was the answer from Chairperson Sunyoung Lim.
Upon visiting the hospital on the 18th, located in Choji-dong, Ansan, it was clear that every part of the facility—from the lobby and lounges to the patient beds—had been thoughtfully designed with patients in mind, reflecting the very “sincerity” she spoke of in every detail.
Seoansan Geriatric Hospital opened in 2010 with a capacity of 270 beds. The hospital is open to all patients in need of hospitalization, including those with severe conditions. It offers services across six medical departments—Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Rehabilitation Medicine, General Surgery, and Korean Medicine—and provides specialized care through its Intensive Care Ward, Rehabilitation Therapy Center, and Dialysis Center.
The hospital has earned official accreditation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and has received Grade 1 ratings in multiple evaluations, including hospital appropriateness, medication list management, and physician-to-nurse staffing levels.
In March of last year, the hospital was selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Pilot Project for Caregiver Fee Support in Long-Term Care Hospitals. Chairperson Sunyoung Lim explained, “Only 20 hospitals nationwide were selected for this pilot program, and just two in Ansan. Fortunately, we were chosen thanks to our high scores across various evaluation criteria.”
She added, “All of our caregivers are Korean nationals who hold certified caregiver licenses. Because of their professionalism, they build strong relationships with patients and form emotional connections—leading to a high level of satisfaction for both patients and caregivers.”
Last year, Seoansan Geriatric Hospital carried out a ward remodeling project to improve patient flow and overall convenience. Notably, a mini-gallery installed along the corridor of the 5th-floor ward caught visitors’ attention. This gallery is operated through an MOU between the hospital and the Ansan Artists Association, with new artworks—paintings or photographs—rotated monthly.
Chairperson Sunyoung Lim explained, “Many of our patients stay for extended periods, and going outside is often difficult. I was concerned about their emotional well-being. This gallery was created with the hope that art could offer them even a small sense of comfort and healing.”
One of Seoansan Geriatric Hospital’s most distinctive features can be found at the central nurse station in the 5th-floor ward—the implementation of a Smart AI caregiver monitoring system that allows real-time tracking of patient conditions.
One of Seoansan Geriatric Hospital’s most distinctive features can be found at the central nurse station in the 5th-floor ward—the implementation of a Smart AI caregiver monitoring system that allows real-time tracking of patient conditions.
Equipped with sensors installed at each bed, the system monitors vital signs such as respiration and heart rate. If a patient falls from the bed or exhibits unusual movements, an immediate alert is triggered so staff can respond quickly.
Chairperson Sunyoung Lim emphasized, “One of the most critical risks in a hospital setting is patient falls. Even with caregivers nearby, it’s difficult to detect sudden movements, especially late at night or in the early morning. That’s why we adopted the Smart AI caregiving system—to enhance safety and provide more responsive care.”
In Ward 4, which cares for critically ill patients, the hospital utilizes a CMS monitoring system to track patient conditions in real time. This system enables continuous monitoring, efficient data management, and seamless information sharing among medical staff.
The hospital is also equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices that caught attention during the visit. For example, the Comfort Cough II is a cough-assist device that helps clear the airways of respiratory patients who struggle to cough on their own—especially beneficial for critical care and elderly patients.
Other advanced equipment includes a bladder scanner for accurate measurement of urine volume, a high-flow oxygen therapy device for pulmonary treatment, a chest wall vibration machine to assist with mucus clearance, hemodialysis machines, and pulmonary function testing devices.
On the way to the Rehabilitation Therapy Center located on the second floor, Chairperson Sunyoung Lim introduced a unique member of the Seoansan Geriatric Hospital team—the “Delivery” staff.
Given that most patients are elderly or critically ill and have limited mobility, moving them to facilities such as the rehab center or dialysis unit requires special care. To ensure safety, the hospital employs dedicated staff members whose sole responsibility is assisting with in-hospital patient transport.
“We prioritize patient safety,” said Chairperson Lim. “That’s why we’ve hired two full-time delivery staff members. In addition, if a patient needs to visit an external hospital and no guardian is available to accompany them, our Safe Accompaniment Service ensures that a trained hospital staff member escorts them safely to and from their appointment.”
Another unique program at Seoansan Geriatric Hospital that drew attention is the “7.4.4.1 Patient Adaptation Program.” Within 7 days of hospital admission, the attending physician meets with the guardian to share the patient’s condition over the past week, including meal intake, physical activity, and treatment plans. Then, in the 4th week, the nursing department informs the guardian about the current treatment, medication usage, and the patient’s overall condition.
In addition, over a period of 4 weeks, a social worker provides special support by monitoring the patient’s meals, level of adjustment, and daily life. Through this system, the hospital helps patients adjust to the hospital environment within one month at the latest.
Chairperson Sunyoung Lim explained, “This program is designed to give confidence and peace of mind to guardians who have admitted a family member but may not be able to visit often. At the same time, by clearly explaining the patient’s current condition, it allows us to communicate more closely with the guardian.”
Dr. Sangki Sa, Director of Seoansan Geriatric Hospital (Department of Surgery), stated,“When speaking with guardians, I often sense their anxiety and sensitivity, which stem from not being able to fully see and understand everything happening in the hospital.”He added, “As a medical professional, I understand those concerns better than anyone, and that’s why I put my utmost sincerity into every consultation and treatment—so that families can trust us with confidence.”
※ What is Seoansan Geriatric Hospital?
· A hospital where sincerity heals
· Prioritizes patient safety through the adoption of Smart AI caregiving systems
· Selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Caregiver Support Program
· Offers a variety of unique, in-house medical care programs
