South Korea to Revise Tertiary Hospital Criteria, Prioritizing Severe Cases

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a significant overhaul of the designation criteria for tertiary general hospitals, a move that will reshape the landscape of advanced medical care in South Korea. Effective from the 6th designation period (2027-2029), these elite institutions will be required to increase their focus on treating severe and emergency patients, raising the minimum threshold for severe cases from 34% to 38% while simultaneously lowering the allowance for mild cases to below 5%.

This strategic shift is designed to reinforce the primary role of tertiary general hospitals: to serve as centers for the treatment of complex and rare diseases. By recalibrating patient composition, the government aims to create an environment where these hospitals can dedicate their specialized resources and expertise to the most critical cases, rather than being burdened by the management of less severe conditions.

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This revision is to newly change the criteria to be applied before the 6th designation evaluation of tertiary general hospitals.

This policy adjustment is part of a broader initiative to optimize the healthcare system. It follows the "Tertiary General Hospital Structural Transformation Support Project" launched in October 2024, which includes measures like reducing general beds and expanding intensive care units. Furthermore, the criteria for calculating nursing staff will be revised to prioritize inpatient care, and a mandatory placement of dedicated education nurses will be introduced. Public health requirements, such as securing intensive care and negative pressure isolation rooms, and performance in emergency medical evaluations, will also play a more significant role in designation.

While the move is generally seen as a positive step towards strengthening specialized medical services, the Korean Medical Association has called for parallel improvements in the compensation system, particularly for the "referral fee" that encourages the transfer of patients with simple illnesses to primary care institutions. This highlights the ongoing need for a holistic approach to healthcare reform, ensuring that all levels of care are adequately supported and integrated.

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The direction of strengthening the evaluation of tertiary general hospitals centered on severe patient treatment is correct.