Hanyang University Hospital announced on July 15 that it had passed the Ministry of Health and Welfare's regional emergency medical center redesignation evaluation, taking on responsibility for the definitive treatment of critical emergency patients in southeastern Seoul from November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2029.
■Comprehensive Review Every Three Years, Based on the Emergency Medical Service Act
A regional emergency medical center is the core institution in the local emergency care system responsible for the definitive treatment of critically ill and severely injured patients. It sits at the top of the emergency care delivery system, taking final responsibility for complex, high-severity cases that other hospitals in the region cannot manage. Under the Emergency Medical Service Act, the Ministry of Health and Welfare comprehensively evaluates all emergency medical institutions nationwide — including regional emergency medical centers — every three years, assessing facilities, staffing, equipment and clinical capacity to determine redesignation. Hanyang University Hospital passed this year's evaluation with strong marks, and will continue to serve as the control tower safeguarding the lives of critical emergency patients in southeastern Seoul for three years, from November 1, 2026 to October 31, 2029.
■53 of 80 Applicant Hospitals Selected Nationwide, With Focus on Definitive Treatment Capacity
This year's evaluation was distinguished by its focus on definitive treatment capacity for critical emergency conditions, beyond simply confirming that hospitals met the statutory designation criteria. Assessors conducted on-site evaluations alongside quantitative measures — such as the provision rate of definitive treatment for critical emergency conditions — and qualitative reviews of the appropriateness of each hospital's operational plans. As a result, only 53 of the 80 hospitals that applied nationwide were selected as regional emergency medical centers. Drawing on its extensive experience treating high-complexity conditions and its robust multidisciplinary collaboration system, Hanyang University Hospital scored consistently high across all categories — on-site evaluation, quantitative assessment (including its definitive treatment rate) and qualitative assessment (including the appropriateness of its operational plan).
■Securing the Golden Hour: Hospital to Help Lead Revisions to Ambulance Transport Guidelines
Following this redesignation, Hanyang University Hospital will provide optimal treatment within the golden hour for emergency patients in southeastern Seoul across essential care fields such as critical emergencies and trauma for the next three years. Beyond simply treating patients, the hospital plans to take a leading role in working closely with local government 119 emergency medical services and other regional hospitals to revise and operate regional patient transport guidelines. These guidelines determine which hospital a 119 ambulance crew transports a patient to based on severity, making it significant that a regional emergency medical center is leading the discussion on their revision. Through this, Hanyang University Hospital aims to build an even stronger emergency medical network across southeastern Seoul.
■Hospital Director Yi Hyeong-joong: "Our Capacity for Definitive Care of Critical Patients Recognized Again"
Hanyang University Hospital Director Yi Hyeong-joong said, "This redesignation as a regional emergency medical center is the result of our hospital's capacity being recognized once again as an institution responsible for the definitive treatment of critical emergency patients in southeastern Seoul." He added, "We will continue to work closely with regional emergency medical institutions and 119 emergency services to provide faster, safer emergency care, and to faithfully fulfill our role and responsibility as a regional emergency medical center that protects the lives of critically ill patients."
FAQ
Q1. What is a regional emergency medical center?
A1. A regional emergency medical center is the core institution in the local emergency care system responsible for the definitive treatment of critically ill and severely injured patients. It takes final responsibility for complex, high-severity cases that other hospitals in the region cannot manage.
Q2. When was Hanyang University Hospital redesignated as a regional emergency medical center?
A2. Hanyang University Hospital passed the Ministry of Health and Welfare's redesignation evaluation and will serve as a regional emergency medical center for southeastern Seoul for three years, from November 1, 2026 to October 31, 2029.
Q3. What is the legal basis for the redesignation evaluation?
A3. Under the Emergency Medical Service Act, the Ministry of Health and Welfare comprehensively evaluates all emergency medical institutions nationwide, including regional emergency medical centers, every three years, assessing facilities, staffing, equipment and clinical capacity to decide on redesignation.
Q4. What did this year's evaluation focus on?
A4. Beyond confirming that hospitals met the statutory designation criteria, the evaluation focused on definitive treatment capacity for critical emergency conditions. It combined on-site evaluation with quantitative assessment (such as the definitive treatment rate) and qualitative assessment (such as the appropriateness of operational plans).
Q5. How many hospitals nationwide were selected as regional emergency medical centers?
A5. Only 53 of the 80 hospitals that applied nationwide were selected as regional emergency medical centers.
Q6. Why did Hanyang University Hospital receive high marks?
A6. Drawing on its extensive experience treating high-complexity conditions and its robust multidisciplinary collaboration system, Hanyang University Hospital scored consistently high across on-site evaluation, quantitative assessment and qualitative assessment.
Q7. How will Hanyang University Hospital's role change following this redesignation?
A7. Hanyang University Hospital will work with local government 119 emergency medical services and other regional hospitals to take a leading role in revising and operating regional patient transport guidelines, strengthening the emergency medical network in southeastern Seoul.
Q8. Why is Hanyang University Hospital involved in revising the transport guidelines?
A8. Transport guidelines determine which hospital a 119 ambulance crew transports a patient to based on severity. It is significant that Hanyang University Hospital, as a regional emergency medical center, is leading discussions on revising these guidelines, which strengthens the regional emergency care system.
