Hà Nội-based Bạch Mai Hospital aims to improve medical services post COVID-19. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Tùng

HÀ NỘI — Bạch Mai Hospital in Hà Nội is poised to gradually eliminate patient bed-sharing as it moves towards autonomy.

First tier hospitals like Bạch Mai are usually overloaded, meaning a lot of patients have to share beds. Patients can pay extra to have their own beds, but the current rate of serviced beds stands at 30 per cent compared to 50 to 60 per cent in previous years, according to the hospital. 

However, the hospital is planning to put an end for to bed-sharing in an effort to better serve patients and ensure equal treatment, according to Doctor Dương Đức Hùng, deputy director of Bạch Mai Hospital. At the same time, the hospital aims to develop service packages with different conditions and benefits.

“Once beds on demand no longer exist, we will offer a wide range of healthcare packages which prioritise patients’ benefits and treatment quality,” said Hùng.

Bạch Mai Hospital was identified as one of the most complicated COVID-19 outbreaks, along with Buddha Bar in HCM City, posing high risks of community transmission.

After the lockdown order was removed in mid-April, the hospital started focusing on improving medical services, firstly by reducing the rate of bed-sharing.

It also terminated contracts with Trường Sinh – a catering company which reported several workers infected with the disease, as well as other outsourcing service providers.

“This was a difficult decision as many workers have lost their jobs. During the lockdown, the hospital could not earn revenue and we had to cut staff. However, we ensured we paid service providers,” said Hùng.

Đỗ Văn Thành, head of Bạch Mai’s Hospital HR Department, said the hospital had received reports saying it had ended contracts with outpatient transport firms without advanced notice. However, the hospital had never used their services, he said. — VNS