- Medical Services
(1) OPD
There are over 60 consultation rooms and, in addition to the common specialties in the OPD, the services provide venereal diseases, gynecological injection diseases, infertility, genital function, renal calculus, breast, cosmetics and nutritional consultation. Registering procedures have been computerized and automated so that appointments can be made by phone (automatic registration system), and payments are made after visiting OPD. Overall computerization has the advantages of reducing labor required and patient's waiting time.
(2) ERD
Run by doctors who majored in emergency care, the ERD of the VGH-KS provides round-the-clock emergency medical services for the public. The ERD contains its own examination center, consultation rooms, emergency room, observation rooms for surgery, internal medicine and pediatrics, and an operation room. A heliport provides a complete emergency medical service. Furthermore, the ERD also offers first aid training for the emergency medical care network in the Kaohsiung area and actively promotes CPR to the public.
(3) Hospitalization(ward)
Wards adopt the radial design around the nurse station and beds are well-illuminated. There are single rooms, twin rooms and three-patient rooms are available in each ward, and there are also isolation beds available. An emergency calling system connected to the nurse station is equipped over each bed, and a central oxygen supply is available. Each floor has a sunlit lounge providing both visitors and visitors with a space for recreation and with television for health education. Besides ordinary wards and an ICU ward, an isolation ward specially designated for AIDS and contagious diseases has been completed in February 1998.
(4) Physical Checkup
Each course of health checkup takes 2 days and 1 night. Apart from routine examinations, abdominal ultrasound, endoscopy sigmoidoscopy, pure tone auditory examinations, and tumor markers are included. Health check-up reports may be collected in person at the hospital or posted by registered mail within 2 weeks of the checkup.
(5) Home Care
In February 1994, the VGH-KS established a home care team consisting of MDs, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and therapists with the aim of relieving the problem of prolonged hospitalization. Patients will receive continuous medical care after hospitalization. This service has already been covered by the NHI since April 1995.
(6) Hospice
The PHA approved the Hospice Pilot Project included in NHI in April 1997. The project aims to give non-invasive and unobtrusive medical attention to patients with terminal-stage cancer and to allow both the patients and their dependents to get through tough times peacefully.
(7) Surgery
The OR has strict sterilization facilities, modernized operation equipment, a sophisticated monitoring system and computerized supply carts (carrying operation instruments) to facilitate various operations. To date, 24 operation rooms, 4 daytime operation rooms and 1 extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) room have been in use. There are 24 beds, 2 isolation rooms for use in the recovery room and 5 beds in the OPD operation room. The waiting area in front of both the operation room and the recovery room is equipped with a computer-aided display system showing operation status.
(8) Organ Transplantation
|
Organ |
First Case |
Number of Cases by 31/10/97 |
|
Heart |
4/2/93 |
12 |
|
Lung |
19/10/95 |
7 |
|
Bone Marrow |
27/2/97 |
6 |
|
Kidney |
7/8/92 |
21 |
|
Cornea |
9/12/90 |
305 |
(9) Examinations
Includes blood routine, urine analysis, stool routine, serum biochemical and immunological tests, microbiological tests and load testing. Additionally, the VGH-KS has a unique Chlamydia laboratory and a venereal diseases laboratory which are the best in Taiwan.
Includes tissue biopsy examination, Cytology examination, frozen biopsy examination, electron microscopic examination, blood chromosomal examination and autopsy.
Includes endoscopic examinations for the pharynx, larynx, bronchi, chest, esophagus, stomach, small intestines, duodenum, colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, kidney, urethra, bladder, vagina, uterus and arthroscope.
- Diagnostic aspiration and/or biopsy
Puncture includes subdural, upper frontal sinus, sphenoidal sinus, tympanic cavity, cerebral ventricles, trachea, esophagus, pericardium, pleura cavity, lung tissue, abdomen, solid organ, spine, bone marrow, bladder and prostate gland.
- Cardiac Catheterization Examination
Includes child and adult cardiac catheterization examination.
Includes heart, thorax, abdomen, obstetrics & gynecologic, pediatrics, eye, nasal sinus, intra-operation ultrasound and Doppler color ultrasound examination.
- Nuclear Medical Examination
Includes radioimmunoassay and scanning examination, the latter type includes a high-tech whole body Scintillation Scanning, Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT).
- Radiological Diagnostic Examination
Includes X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), angiography, Mammography, bone densitometry and various imaging examinations.
Includes psychology, cognition, character and intelligence examinations.
Includes EEG, electrocorticography, electromuscularogram, muscular nerve examination, electrophysiology, respiratory physiology in sleep, pulmonary function, audiovisual function, esophageal motility, sexual function, and urodynamics.
(10) Therapy
Control of UGI bleeding via endoscopic local injection and sclerotherapy, laser heat probe cauterization, flows, expands and endoscopic excisional biopsy, stone refraction, drainage & dilatation.
Percutaneous coronary angioplasty, stenting, ablation therapy and pacemaker implantation.
Respiratory Therapy
Uses ventilator, steam inhalator and electric nebulizer in therapy.
Surgery
The VGH-KS is equipped with ultrasound surgery apparatus and argon styptic machines to effectively reduce operative injuries and bleeding. Major surgery includes: open heart, lung, kidney, bone marrow, bone, cornea transplantation：
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Open heart surgery.
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Thoracic surgery.
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Neuro surgery, ultrasound deterioration suction.
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Spinal surgery, microsurgical lumbar diskectomy.
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Dorsal sympathectomy.
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Arthroplastry, tendon reconstruction.
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Hand surgery.
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All kinds of endoscopic surgery.
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Premier breast skin preservation combined with breast reconstruction surgery.
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Gynecological oncology surgery.
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Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL).
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Artificial penis implantation.
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Rubber ring ligation for hemorrhoid treatment.
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Facial reconstruction, plastic surgery, laser cosmetic surgery
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Congenital intestine/urethra anomalies surgery, abdominal tumor surgery, trauma surgery, and removal of foreign objects from trachea and esophagus.
Hemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis
Radiological Tumor Therapy
Linear accelerator teletherapy, Brachytherapy and chemotherapy.
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Psychiatric Therapy
Psychological therapy, group therapy, electric convulsive therapy, hypnotic therapy, family therapy, day ward therapy.
Laser Therapy
Argon, carbon dioxide and dyestuff laser therapies.
Hyperbaric oxygen Therapy
Special Dermatological Therapy
Phototherapy, liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, laser therapy, chemical peeling therapy, and citric acid skin replacement therapy.
Pain Therapy
Painless deliveries, post surgical patient-control analgesia therapy and physical therapy.
Infertility Therapy
Sperm bank, in-vitro fertilization.
Dental Therapy
Dental amalgams, restoration, orthodontics, oral surgery, endodontal treatment, periodontal disease treatment, child dentistry.
Pediatric Therapy
Premature baby treatment, neonatal phototherapy, blood exchange transfusion, cardiac catheterization treatment, respiration therapy, total parenteral nutrition treatment (TPN), allergy reduction treatment, asthma treatment, hematological and oncological chemotherapy.
Dietary Therapy
Dietary control treatment and total parenteral nutrition treatment.
(11) Nursing
Team nursing and primary nursing have been adopted to provide patient-centered, individualized, integrated and continuous nursing care through nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation. At the same time, patient health education and consulting services are provided to promote early discharge. In addition, the establishment of the Nursing QC Committee and the organization of pre-job and on-the-job education and training have been adopted to improve nursing quality.
(12) Pharmacy
Major work is as follows:
- Dispensary: includes prescriptions for OPD, ER and wards. Operations have been fully computerized. The use of bar-code technology for prescription entry is the first in Taiwan. At the same time, dispensary services for chronic diseases and continuous prescription is also available. The 'uni-dose system' has been adopted for the patient ward dispensary and is managed by the satellite pharmacy on each floor. In addition, the ER dispensary offers round-the-clock service, handling both the prescriptions from ER and the nighttime medicine supply to the wards.
- Dispensing Sterilized Drugs: includes all sterilized drugs, total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, and patient-controlled analgesics.
- Clinical Pharmacology: includes assessment of drug prescription, drug monitoring, consultations and in-patient visits.
- Management: includes medication item review, medication supplies and management and drug quality monitoring.
- Education & Training: besides accepting pharmacological students for internship, training pharmacists from other local hospitals, and on-the-job hospital training, they assist the DOH in organizing continuing education for pharmacists in southern Taiwan.
(13) Social Work
Social workers and counselors at the hospital will take part in medical care projects and use social resources to help patients and their dependents with problems concerning medical attention, nutrition, finance, psychology, family and society. Furthermore, the hospital has established the "Hueimin Fund" and often organizes charity sales and fund-raising activities to help the poor with their financial problems. In addition, the hospital often recruits and trains volunteers to provide a consulting service at the information desk, to serve patients, support hospital administration, maintain the hospital library, visit in-patients, and assist the wheelchair and crutches lending service. Since March 1997, they have begun to deliver health talks to the community and promote cooperation between the hospital and community.
(14) Support for Veterans Hospitals and Veteran Homes
The VGH-KS takes the responsibility of assisting the veterans hospitals and veteran homes in southern and eastern Taiwan and promotes the policy of veterans health care.
(15) Support for Medical Service in Kinmen and Matsu
To reinforce the medical services for offshore citizens, the VGH-KS supports the medical services in Kinmen and Matsu.
- Education & Training
(1) Teaching Staff: 3 professors, 27 associate professors, 27 lecturers and 2 teaching assistants.
(2) Cooperation with Academia: The VGH-KS has entered into cooperative contracts with some medical centers, universities, colleges, schools and hospitals.
(3) Teaching Activities:
- We accept students from the departments of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, nursing, medical technology, radiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, hospital administration, public health, social work, psychology, and industrial safety for internship.
- We accept all doctors and technicians for continuing education and training to upgrade the level of medical care in southern Taiwan.
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We accept DOH entrustment to train specialists in various fields.
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We often organize various training programs, open programs, seminars as well as on-the-job training for internal and external personnel.
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Morning meetings, clinical case report and discussions, mortality conferences and joint conferences periodically held by various departments. They hold morning meetings, special lectures and inter-hospital or inter-divisional joint meetings are also organized frequently.
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"Advisor-Responsibility System" for Interns: each intern will be assigned to an attending physician and they can exchange opinions regularly. Besides, a physician should take interest in the daily life of the intern to help them make with their
practice.
(4) Teaching Facilities
- Library: journals, magazines, books, audiovisual materials of both oriental and western medicines are available for borrowing. Optical fiber network searches, WWW searches and interlibrary loan services are also available.
- Conference Room: The largest conference room has 580 seats, the second conference room has 180 seats, and two smaller conference rooms have 60 and 80 seats, respectively. Four conference rooms are available for academic and teaching activities.
- Academic Discussion Room: there are over 40 academic discussion rooms equipped with all kinds of teaching facilities located in each of the clinical divisions.
- Multimedia Information Equipment: advanced software and multimedia equipment has been installed as teaching aids.
- Medical Research
To enable advancement in medical technology, the VGH-KS has been engaged in improving research collaboration in "Basic Medicine" and "Clinical Medicine" in recent years. So far we have established the following laboratories: cardiovascular laboratory, calcium ion transmission laboratory, cell electrophysiology laboratory, epidemiology laboratory, genetic engineering laboratory and the animal study laboratory. We also hire full-time researchers to help promote various research projects. Over the years we have taken part in or have completed hundreds of research projects. Recently, the Cheng Teh-Ling Medical Development Fund has been established to finance education and research work.
- Medical Quality Control
To achieve medical quality control, we established the Medical QC Assessment Committee and Hospital Infection Control Committee to promote quality control and to prevent the nosocomial infection. The major work of the committees includes: the establishment and monitoring of quality indicators to help clinical departments execute quality control; to regularly review problems and to draft improvement plans; to establish policy for control and antibiotics infection control; to monitor infection trends inside the hospital; to prevent outbreaks; to provide counseling for nosocomial infection within the Kaohsiung medical care network; and to provide training for infection control to nurses in southern Taiwan. Thanks to the concerted effort of everyone in the hospital, we were awarded the prize for System Participation & Recommendation by the Executive Yuan in 1996.
- Hospital Administration
(1) Generalized Computerization
The VGH-KS believes in the ideal of 'serving the public' and as such, has begun the promotion of full computerization in order to simplify the processing, to save labor and costs, to improve internal management, and to improve the quality of service. In 1992 we are awarded the "Top 10 Excellent Information Application Award" from the Executive Yuan. So far, our mainframe has already taken over the management of more than a hundred operations. Our LAN now manages over 40 operation systems. Many aspects of the computerization program are the firsts in Taiwan, such as bar-code prescription, telephone voice registration system, automated registration machine, medical supplies inventory control system, automated supply carts, automatic laboratory report transmissions and operation dynamic display.
(2) Automated Information Management
To maintain the overall system stability to facilitate medical operations, VGKH was the first institution to promote automatic information management. Automatic tape recorders have been adopted to make backups of data automatically, control panel message automatic responses, batch operation timed automatic executions, on-line response time management, system load detection control. Problem reporting management has also been adopted to avoid human errors. In addition, the system also provides a user inquiry service, remote monitoring and automatic transmission to maintain the function of these systems at 99.9%.
(3) Medical Materials Management
Medical materials management plays an important role in any hospital. With the aid of computers and a functional management system, we can achieve an easy purchasing and supply process, save labor and time, and reduce the costs of material stock and deterioration. The medical materials management of the VGH-KS is as follows:
- A computer has been used to calculate the purchasing requirements, to print purchase requisitions and fax it to vendors and to enter into long-term contracts with vendors.
- In inventory control management, a basic and safety inventory quantity have been developed according to a classification by categories and items of materials; or entrusted selling has been used.
- In supply, there are exchanging carts and periodic request modules.
(4) Cost Accounting
In a time when competition in the medical environment is acute and when the insurance industry is deeply involved in medical payments, the VGH-KS has established a cost analysis system. With the classification of direct and indirect costs according to their attributes based upon the carefully-planned cost apportion foundation and sequence, and with the aid of automatic data transmission, the revenue-centered and cost-centered balance has been calculated, and a monthly report is printed for all units to review. This fosters a cost concept among colleagues, encourages them to reinforce internal management, and to produce a differential analysis as reference for decisions made by managers.
(5) Merit Management
To encourage doctors and employees to improve productivity and to enhance the competition ability of the hospital, the VGH-KS has been approved to implement the merit bonus system, and continuous review and revision work is performed.
- Environmental Protection
In response to the government's promotion of environmental protection, the VGH-KS is dedicated to the control of pollution caused by waste water and wastes and has been aggressively engaged in recycling, waste reduction, energy saving and landscaping work. In 1995, the VGH-KS was awarded the 4th ROC Corporate Environmental Protection Award.
(1) Waste Water Treatment Site
Treatment includes nuclear medicine, laboratory, kitchen, and general household waste water at a daily turnover of 2400 metric tons. An active charcoal bed has been used in waste water treatment. Afterwards, waste water flows into a sterilization tank where chlorine is added before the discharge (waste water after treatment meets the waste water discharge criteria). To make full use of water resources, some of the waste water has been used in irrigating plantations inside the hospital.
(2) Incinerator
The incinerator is used in the treatment of flammable waste and has a daily turnover of 4 metric tons. Waste enters the furnace via an automatic input system, the exhaust will be converted in the waste heat collector and then treated in the secondary pollution prevention equipment before being discharged into the atmosphere. The collected steam will be transported to the steam pipelines in the turbine room for use in different areas of the hospital to make full use of the residual value of waste.
- Labor Safety & Hygiene
"To promote comprehensive safety management and to create an accident-free working environment" has been the safety and hygiene policy the VGH-KS has pursued. The hospital has set up a labor safety & hygiene office to manage labor safety affairs and a labor safety & hygiene committee to review this work regularly. In 1995 and 1996, the hospital received honors from the "Safety and Hygiene Self Protection System Evaluation" and an award for the "promotion of labor safety and hygiene from the National and Kaohsiung City Labor Safety and Hygiene Evaluation".
- Other Peripheral Services
