Asan Medical Center leverages ICT technologies, including wireless monitoring and real time location tracking, achieving zero patient safety incidents during transport.

Vice President & Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Je-Hwan Lee of Asan Medical Center said, “We will continue to strengthen the transport monitoring system so that patients can receive safe care anywhere.”

▲ Medical staff from the Monitoring & Transport Team (MTT) monitor changes in a liver transplant patient’s condition while accompanying the patient to the examination room.

High-risk critically ill patients may experience rapid deterioration during transport for tests or treatment, including interruptions in medication infusion or unstable oxygen supply. To minimize these risks and respond promptly to emergencies, Asan Medical Center has operated a Monitoring & Transport Team (MTT) since 2024, in which specialized medical staff accompany patients and monitor them in real time.

The MTT operates 24 hours a day for inpatients aged 19 and older in wards and the emergency room who require medical staff accompaniment. Over the past year, the team conducted approximately 23,500 high-risk patient transport monitoring cases, with zero patient safety incidents reported during the process.

These outcomes are particularly meaningful in that intensive care for critically ill patients continues seamlessly during transport, enhancing continuity of care. In particular, by leveraging ICT technologies such as wireless monitoring systems and real-time location tracking, Asan Medical Center is able to respond immediately to even subtle changes in patient condition, helping to secure the golden time for treating critically ill patients.

When a transport request is received, the MTT first reviews the patient’s condition through the electronic system, then assesses airway and breathing, hemodynamic stability, medications, and medical equipment on site. During transport, the team continuously monitors oxygen saturation, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and level of consciousness, ensuring that tests and procedures are carried out safely without interruption.

The team also provides monitoring and proactive intervention for outpatients undergoing sedation for diagnostic tests, inpatients requiring intensive nursing care, and patients at high risk of falls or with agitated delirium. Even during inter-facility transport; the team performs essential interventions such as management of high-risk medications, portable ventilators, and suction, helping maintain continuity of care beyond the hospital setting.

Over the past year, the MTT conducted approximately 23,000 in-hospital transport monitoring cases and about 500 inter-facility transport cases for high-risk patients. Notably, there were zero patient safety incidents, including ventilator dislodgement or interruption of medication infusion, during transport. In addition, the team carried out around 1,200 outpatient sedation monitoring cases, achieving a high examination success rate of 97.9 percent through immediate response and continuous monitoring.

The operation of the MTT has also helped alleviate psychological anxiety among patients and their families. In the past, critically ill patients leaving their rooms often raised concerns about gaps in care and potential emergencies. However, with the introduction of the transport monitoring system, seamless medical care is now ensured even during movement. This reflects Asan Medical Center’s systematic approach to patient safety, extending meticulous care beyond the clinical setting.

In addition, Asan Medical Center operates a Medical Emergency Team (MET) and a Neurological Emergency Team (NET), establishing a constant crisis response system for emergencies. Launched in 2008 as the first of its kind in Korea, the MET monitors early signs of patient deterioration to minimize ICU admissions and cardiac arrest, responding to approximately 200 cases per month. In 2017, the NET was established to provide immediate response to neurological emergencies such as stroke and seizures.

Vice President & Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Je-Hwan Lee of Asan Medical Center said, “Patient safety and continuity of care must be ensured in all clinical settings. We will continue to strengthen our specialized transport monitoring system so that patients can receive safe treatment and recovery anywhere.”