South Korea expands innovative smart hospital network nationwide
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — South Korea is leading healthcare innovation with its nationwide expansion of smart hospitals, a concept initiated during the recent pandemic.
These hospitals address the increasing demand for personalized healthcare in the rapidly aging society.
KHIDI’s strategic leadership
The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, spearheads this initiative. Principal researcher Jong Yeob Kim highlighted their efforts at the HIMSS24 APAC session, emphasizing technological transformation in healthcare services.
“Our ultimate goal… is not to make one hospital smart. We aim to improve the efficiency of the entire medical service of the country,” Kim stated.
KHIDI launched the smart hospital project in 2020, partnering with 17 hospitals and deploying 74 innovative tools. The project progresses in three phases: transforming individual hospitals, connecting them, and integrating with local communities.
Positive outcomes and challenges
Evaluations reveal positive impacts on patients and staff. Hospital workers report reduced stress and increased focus on patient care.
“An environment has been created where workers can focus on actual nursing care work,” Kim noted, highlighting a reduction in unnecessary tasks by about half.
Patients, including many elderly individuals, embraced the digital shift. A nationwide survey showed strong support for expanding smart hospitals, with many finding them more convenient than traditional facilities.
Strategic digitalization efforts
Transforming hospitals into smart entities is complex and requires timely and suitable technology implementation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, priorities included telemedicine and efficient resource management.
“No matter how good a technology is, if it’s a technology that can’t be used in hospital settings, it may be premature,” Kim explained.
The ongoing expansion aims to enhance medical service quality across South Korea, making advanced healthcare accessible even in local regions. As Kim emphasized, ” [The smart hospital concept trial] shows that we can [potentially] receive quality medical services not only by going to large hospitals but also by receiving such services at local smart hospitals in the regions [outside major cities].”
With these efforts, South Korea is setting a new standard for patient-centered healthcare through its innovative smart hospital network.
