MEDICAL KOREA Where your dats begin again

Shihwa Medical Center, Leading Patient-centered Medical Services

Since its opening in 1998, Shihwa Medical Center (CEO Choi, Byeong-Chul) has been continuously striving to improve the health and quality of life of local residents for 26 years. In 2020, the hospital significantly expanded to 27 medical departments, 17 specialized centers, and 500 beds, establishing itself as a regional base general hospital. It provides high-quality medical services to critically ill patients within the region, without having to transfer to a tertiary general hospital. It is responsible for treating severe and emergency conditions for the nearly 580,000 residents of Siheung City. With a team of highly experienced medical professionals and the operation of state-of-the-art medical equipment, the hospital is at the forefront of safeguarding precious lives.

Siheung's First and Only Regional Emergency Medical Center

In 2021, Shihwa Medical Center was upgraded to Siheung City's first Regional Emergency Medical Center, alleviating the concerns of local residents in urgent need of emergency care. The hospital has a team of 12 emergency medicine specialists who focus on providing rapid initial treatment for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as mild to severe trauma cases, not only in Siheung City but also in nearby areas such as Ansan and Incheon. They work in close collaboration with relevant specialists to restore patients' conditions in the shortest possible time.

Providing ONE-STOP Medical Services for Cardio.Neuro.Vascular Diseases

As of March 2024, the Cardio, Neuro, and Vascular Center at Shihwa Medical Center has surpassed 20,000 cases of vascular interventional procedures, leading the way in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The center's medical team, consisting of former professors from tertiary general hospitals, operates two advanced angiography systems, the "Artis zee PURE Biplane" and the "Artis zee HDR floor," ensuring that the golden hour for critically ill vascular patients is preserved. Additionally, by providing a ONE-STOP medical service that covers diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for vascular disease patients - where every second counts - Shihwa Medical Center has achieved significant milestones. The hospital was awarded a 1st grade in the Acute Stroke Adequacy Assessment by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, recognized as an accredited center for reperfusion therapy stroke treatment, and designated as a certified institution for cardiovascular interventional procedures, further solidifying its position as a specialized hospital for heart and cerebrovascular treatment.

Certified as a Medical Institution specializing in Heart Surgery

Shihwa Medical Center, which has opened a new horizon for the treatment of heart disease within the local community, is one of the few secondary hospitals with a resident heart surgery specialist. Equipped with essential devices such as cardiopulmonary bypass machines and Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), the hospital performs a wide range of surgeries for patients of all ages, from children to adults, giving heart disease patients the gift of a healthy new life. Notably, the hospital has a well-established emergency surgery system for acute aortic dissection, a critical condition where nearly half of the patients do not survive without immediate intervention, ensuring the heart health of the local community.

Realizing cancer treatment near home through multidisciplinary integrated care.

Shihwa Medical Center, renowned as a specialized cancer treatment center, operates a "multidisciplinary integrated care" system that provides a ONE-STOP service from early cancer diagnosis to chemotherapy. Depending on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the presence or absence of any comorbidities, specialists from hematology-oncology, radiology, surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, and other departments collaborate closely. They review test results together and make swift treatment decisions, ensuring comprehensive care for each patient. Additionally, Shihwa Medical Center has established a Fast Track system that prioritizes consultations and surgeries for cancer patients. The hospital also offers a variety of educational programs on nutrition management, rehabilitation, and lifestyle habits such as exercise. These initiatives aim to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families while providing holistic care that revitalizes patients' daily lives.

International Healthcare Center, a reliable companion for foreign patients

The International Healthcare Center of Shihwa Medical Center has established a systematic healthcare system based on its geographical accessibility to the airport and industrial complexes. This system ensures that optimal medical care is provided smoothly to both foreign residents living in the country and abroad, regardless of their race, language, culture, or nationality.

By obtaining the "Korean Accreditation Program for Hospitals Serving Foreign Patients (KAHF)" hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Korea

Health Industry Development Institute, Shihwa Medical Center has been officially recognized as an institution providing excellent services to foreign patients in a safe

environment. The hospital has established dedicated medical spaces and wards for foreign patients, offers a ONE-STOP service for reservations, registration, consultations,

and payment, and employs native-speaking coordinators (in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian). These coordinators assist with total medical care, from referrals

before arrival, appointment scheduling, and personalized consultations with medical staff, to examinations, treatments, and follow-up care.

Constant efforts for patient safety

From the early stages of the new hospital construction, efforts were focused on preventing the inflow of viruses from external sources. This included integrating earthquake-resistant and fire-prevention designs, installing an emergency medical center screening clinic, advanced negative pressure isolation rooms, operating elevators exclusively for infection control, and establishing a respiratory outpatient treatment center. Additionally, the distance between beds was expanded to 1.5 meters, and individual smart TVs were installed at each bed to prevent the spread of infections within the hospital. By proactively preparing for the upcoming post-COVID era and creating a safe medical environment, the hospital is paving the way for local residents and visitors to feel more secure when seeking medical care.

A hospital you can trust and return to when you are sick

To create an environment where visitors can focus solely on their medical care, Shihwa Medical Center has been approved to maintain a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:8 in the integrated nursing care wards, providing more professional and superior nursing services.Additionally, for patient convenience and fall prevention, all beds in the hospital have been equipped with electric beds.

Additionally, outpatients with appointments can reduce waiting times by using the outpatient check-in kiosk located in front of each department, without needing to visit the administration desk. The hospital also offers free valet parking, allowing patients to receive prompt care and treatment without wasting time searching for parking spaces.

A medical institution growing together with the community through the practice of compassionate medicine

Due to its proximity to industrial complexes such as Shihwa Industrial Complex and Banwol Industrial Complex, the area has a large population of foreign workers and multicultural families, leading to many patients in medical blind spots. From the early days of its establishment, Shihwa Medical Center began offering free medical services in medically underserved areas such as Daebu Island, Seonjae Island, and Yeongheung Island, where healthcare access is extremely limited. The hospital has grown as a member of the community, prioritizing public health by providing medical support for low-income patients, offering health lectures to local.

Recently,Shihwa Medical Center has established a coordination system between health, medical care, and welfare institutions to manage discharged patients who need public healthcare, such as foreigners, basic livelihood recipients, low-income groups, and people with disabilities. This effort serves as the foundation for communitybased healthcare initiatives. The hospital operates a ONE-STOP system for patient management, prioritizing care from initial treatment to post-discharge interventions, including linking with the Ministry of Health and Welfare's integrated care project. This approach recognizes that patients are members of the community who require care not only during their hospital stay but also after discharge, and it embodies the practice of compassionate sharing.