Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
A patient stands in front of a smart booth, which allows contactless medical check-up, at Hallym University Medical Center (HUMC) in Anyang, South Korea August 12 2021. Picture: REUTERS/DAEWOUNG KIM
Anyang — A South Korean hospital has upgraded a Covid-19 testing booth to become a mobile contactless clinic that can test people and enable telemedicine for basic treatment.
Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital says it has developed the one-stop clinic to protect staff and free them from the burden of wearing full-body protective gear in the sweltering heat.
Patients enter rooms that seal automatically to reduce the spread of pathogens. Nurses reach patients through windows fitted with rubber gloves, while doctors can speak remotely through video systems.
Previously, patients with fever or respiratory symptoms had to wait long hours to gain access to a doctor and had to be isolated.
“It was very difficult for people with fever or respiratory symptoms to receive professional treatment due to Covid, and we could solve such a problem using video chat,” Hallym University Medical Centre director Lee Me-yeon said. “It was hard to see and hear patients in full protective gear.”
A minimum number of nurses like Joung Eun-sol, 23, are needed on site for basic Covid-19 testing or temperature checks and they no longer need to put on Level D protection gear — gloves, safety glasses, face shield and chemical-resistant boots.
“The worst was withstanding the heat, but it was also hard to communicate with patients or breathe in Level D,” Joung said, wearing a short-sleeved uniform and a face mask. “I can now use the restroom and even eat ... I don’t need to walk around all the time, but be seated as I work.”
Hospital director Yu Kyung-ho said: “The technology could possibly serve as a very useful medical treatment system in countries where doctors and medical resources are scarce.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
South Korea devises contactless Covid-19 testing
Anyang — A South Korean hospital has upgraded a Covid-19 testing booth to become a mobile contactless clinic that can test people and enable telemedicine for basic treatment.
Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital says it has developed the one-stop clinic to protect staff and free them from the burden of wearing full-body protective gear in the sweltering heat.
Patients enter rooms that seal automatically to reduce the spread of pathogens. Nurses reach patients through windows fitted with rubber gloves, while doctors can speak remotely through video systems.
Previously, patients with fever or respiratory symptoms had to wait long hours to gain access to a doctor and had to be isolated.
“It was very difficult for people with fever or respiratory symptoms to receive professional treatment due to Covid, and we could solve such a problem using video chat,” Hallym University Medical Centre director Lee Me-yeon said. “It was hard to see and hear patients in full protective gear.”
A minimum number of nurses like Joung Eun-sol, 23, are needed on site for basic Covid-19 testing or temperature checks and they no longer need to put on Level D protection gear — gloves, safety glasses, face shield and chemical-resistant boots.
“The worst was withstanding the heat, but it was also hard to communicate with patients or breathe in Level D,” Joung said, wearing a short-sleeved uniform and a face mask. “I can now use the restroom and even eat ... I don’t need to walk around all the time, but be seated as I work.”
Hospital director Yu Kyung-ho said: “The technology could possibly serve as a very useful medical treatment system in countries where doctors and medical resources are scarce.”
Reuters
North Korea steps up pressure to halt US-South Korea military exercises
Samsung chief’s pending parole heralds a shake-up for South Korea
Inter-Korean hotlines reopen
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.