Coronavirus in Korea: March 2020 update

Overview

Even though the coronavirus pandemic is spreading internationally, the current situation of coronavirus in Korea is getting more stable every week.

According to the Central Accident Investigation Headquarter of Korea  the number of new confirmed cases in Korea is decreasing, whereas the daily number of people released from quarantine is almost twice higher. Korea shows the least number of confirmed cases on the last week, comparing to other countries with major outbreaks. The main reasons of this positive dynamic are active countermeasures of the Korean government.

Coronavirus outbreak dynamic in different countries

Easy and fast COVID-19 test

Coronavirus testing widely available for both Koreans and foreigners residing in Korea. The network of 96 laboratories across the country is proceeding thousands of tests daily in order to reduce the spread of coronavirus in Korea. The current number of tests performed is 338 036 as of March 23, 2020.

The number of Covid-19 tests in Korea, 2020.03.23

Anyone with or without symptoms has an easy access to the Covid-19 test. In case the virus test is positive, the government covers the expenses for medical examination and treatments. The test is also free if it is prescribed by a doctor according to the symptoms no matter if the result would be positive or negative.

There are various ways for getting sampled, including less risky and faster drive-thru clinic way. It can reduce the burden on hospitals and reduce risk for health workers. The examination is conducting patient’s health questionnaire, fever check and sample through the window while still being present in the car. The time period of the test has also been shorted from 1 hour to only 10 minutes.
These measures have put a huge impact on controlling the coronavirus epidemic inside the country and stabilizing the situation. The World Health Organization chose Korea for best practices in response to Covid-19.

Online map of COVID-19 patients

Another factor that played a huge role in a current positive change is is that the government is making information public. For example, the GPS locations of people confirmed for COVID-19 is available on an app or Coronamap website so that others can avoid those areas. As questionable as that may be from a privacy standpoint, it may help people feel informed and in control of their health.

Social distancing

South Korea has also been practicing social distancing to try to stem an increase in cases. With a population of about 51 million people, they’ve closed schools and offices and canceled large gatherings. There are thermal imaging cameras at entrances to buildings and people in costume in public spaces reminding others to wash their hands, according to BBC.

COVID-19 countermeasures in ID Hospital

From the early days of the outbreak, ID hospital has been managing every visitor’s safety through all stages from reservation to checkups before walking into the hospital to ensure the safety.

We have implemented thorough disinfection and management of the entire hospital, shuttle bus and hotel.
The regular disinfection of the hospital’s building is being held on each floor’s lobby, consultation and medical rooms, ID Hospital dermatology building and ID Hospital dental clinic. The shuttle bus used for pick up / drop off of our visitors is disinfected before and after each passenger. Also the hand antiseptic before the boarding is provided for free. As for the designated hotel, the hotel lobby, corridors and guest rooms are disinfected on a regular basis. Each hotel’s guest is getting temperature and fever check. ID Hospital has also implemented an entry check system, which includes obligatory hand disinfection, temperature check with thermal sensing camera and infrared thermometer. Entry sticker is attached after all procedures are completed.

We do our best to create a secure medical environment for each and every of our patients.

Feel safe when visiting us!

Anesthesia explained by ID Hospital specialists

Anesthetia Q&A with dr. Lee Hye Jin 

Anesthesia medication like propofol has been a social issue for several years due to the negative effects of misusing it, and people used to think of it as of a drug rather than sleeping anesthetics. ‘Propofol addiction’ and ‘propofol death’ extreme cases hided the positive side of medical use.

But is it really dangerous? ID Hospital anesthesiologist Dr. Hyejin Lee and ID Hospital head dr. Park Sang Hoon are explaining details about sleeping anesthetics.

Sleeping Anesthetics Used for  anesthesia (Sedation): Midazolam, Ketamine and Propofol

Sleeping anesthesia is in fact a sedative therapy. It means that the patient is somewhat aware of  physical stimulation or speech. Anesthesiologists divide sleep anesthetics into three categories. Lee Hyejin, anesthesiologist at ID Hospital, said, “Midazolam, ketamine, and propofol are all types of sleep anesthetics. Anesthesiologist needs to consider each of the pros and cons  depending on the patient’s condition”.

 Types of Sleep Anesthetics

▶ Midazolam

A drug belonging to the benzodiazepine family, which has a calming effect by reinforcing the action of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain. Midazolam induces sleepiness, decreases anxiety, and causes a loss of ability to create new memories. So even though you feel pain during the surgery, you won’t remember it. Cardiovascular inhibitory effect is small, but midazolam can reduce blood pressure, so it takes a long time to recover.”

▶ Ketamine

Ketamine is a general anesthetic that has an analgesic effect injected into vein or muscle. It induces a trance-like state and increases calming effect if combined with midazolam or propofol. It’s easier to maintain the airway due to lesser respiratory depression  has the advantage of analgesic action. Disadvantages include increased cerebral blood flow and cerebral pressure, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, delusions, and nightmares.

▶ Propofol
Propofol is a general anesthetic drug that is administered directly to veins and has the fastest effect. It is used for anesthesia during surgery or examination, or to calm a patient using a ventilator. Usually it is s an anesthetic for sleeping endoscopy, simple procedures, and plastic surgery. Propofol anesthesia induction and anesthesia recovery are faster than other anesthetics. If the patient is healthy the anesthetic is metabolized in the liver and then leaving the body with urine. Unlike other anesthetic it doesn’t cause nausea or vomiting.

Is it safe to use for medical purposes? Does it cause addiction or death?

Lee Hye-jin said, “Proportol is a problem that can be summarized as addiction (abuse) and death due to respiratory depression. Propofol causes addiction in some patients because it gives comfort and refreshment after a good night’s sleep without nausea, headache and discomfort after anesthesia, leading to misuse. High doses can lead to apnea due to respiratory depression and death, ”she added. However, it was clearly emphasized that the problem was indiscriminately misused, not for medical purposes under the supervision of anesthesiologists.
Propofol is a psychotropic drug, so it must be used only for the medical purpose under the supervision of the anesthesiologist. In addition, it is important to adjust the dose for each patient in consideration of age, weight and medical history. If you have a history of sleep apnea, medications or food allergies, you should tell your doctor in advance.

If you are allergic to soybeans, it is important to properly consider the usage of propofol.

Propofol is a drug that contains soybean oil and egg lecithin, so if you are allergic to soybeans, peanuts, or soybean oil, you should be careful. Dr. Hye-jin Lee said, “It is possible to use propofol for general egg allergy patients, but it is safe to avoid it if there is a history of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction that can lead to death from laryngeal edema, dyspnea, or low blood pressure shock). If you have a propofol allergy, mild symptoms may improve with urticaria, but severe death can result from dyspnea and hypotension shock. ”

Check this before choosing a clinic for surgery!
– A clinic has in-house anesthesiologist
– If not,  who is observing patient’s condition during anesthesia
– A clinic has a medical staff and equipment appropriate for the first aid in case of an emergency
– Which anesthetic does clinic use

What about the dose?
Dose adjustment considering patient’s condition is very important. ID Hospital provides propofol sensitivity pre-examination to ensure safety of anesthetics medical use and to reduce patient’s risk and anxiety.
Dr. Sang-Hoon Park, MD, said, “It is very easy to control propofol level during anesthesia and then recover from it. But as it is classified as a drug product, it must be used only under a specialist’s supervision. It is important to know the propofol sensitivity of the patient in advance through medical examination.

You can read more about ID Hospital anesthesia system here.

If you have any questions, please contact us online via our channels.

We are happy to assist you, and our consultation is always free of charge.

ID Hospital "Outstanding Medical Travel Facilitator" award

Medical tourism in Korea attracts more and more foreign patients every year. Korea offers best medical technologies and competency in various treatments and procedures, especially in plastic surgery field.
Korean government has a strict regulation over the hospitals and clinics to ensure the optimum medical services for both Korean and foreign patients. In October 2019 Korean Ministry of Justice chose ID Hospital as an Outstanding Medical Travel Facilitator. 

 

What is a Medical Travel Facilitator?

A Medical Travel Facilitator is a hospital certified by government or medical tourism organization. Medical Tourism Facilitators provide various services to foreign patients in order to make their medical tourism process smooth.
The standard services include providing price quotes online, arranging consultation and payment processes, providing translation, medical check up and other medical services, following up with patients after they return to their home country, etc.

Why choosing ID Hospital for medical tourism in Korea? 

ID Hospital is an approved hospital for medical tourism in Korea. It is the only plastic surgery hospital in Korea certified by Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. It means that ID Hospital meets all strict National Accreditation Standards in Healthcare service, high quality and patient’s safety system such as following international disinfection standard, proceeding comprehensive medical testing system and post-surgery intensive recovery program.

Moreover, as an Outstanding Medical Travel Facilitator, ID Hospital offers various services specially for foreign visitors to make their medical tourism in Korea smooth and hassle free. For example, ID Hospital provides services like free online and face-to-face consultations, comprehensive medical examinations, 10 languages in-house translators and post surgery deswelling care treatments. 

We are thankful for the all support we get from our international visitors.

If you have any questions, please contact us online via our channels. We are happy to assist you, and our consultation is always free of charge.