On the morning of November 24, FV Hospital’s Medical Director Do Trong Khanh, PhD, MD, gave a presentation at a seminar titled “Protecting your health and adapting safely to the Covid-19 pandemic”, organized by Tien Phong Newspaper. The seminar took place in both Hanoi (Headquarters of Tien Phong Newspaper) and Ho Chi Minh City (La Vela Hotel) and was live-streamed on many social networking platforms.

Presenting at the seminar, Dr Do Trong Khanh shared medical statistics and his experience in ensuring FV Hospital was a safe environment for patients to visit and receive medical care during the pandemic. In July 2021, FV Hospital established a COVID-19 Treatment Department to receive and treat patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 before the pandemic situation overloaded the medical system in HCMC. FV performed more than 12,400 RT-PCR tests, of which 2,078 cases of COVID-19 were identified. The hospital has received and treated 296 inpatients classified as mild, moderate and severe cases. The successful treatment rate for COVID-19 at FV Hospital was 73 per cent, including many cases of patients who were over 80 years old with underlying diseases.

Dr Do Trong Khanh (first from the right) and other speakers at the seminar.

Following the split hospital model, FV has upgraded its facilities so that it can continue to serve the medical examination and treatment needs of people who are not infected by SARS-CoV-2, while supporting the treatment of COVID-19 patients. FV implemented a dual screening process at the entrances and exits of the hospital, temporarily isolating people suspected of having COVID-19 in areas with specially designed ventilation pressures. In addition to the normal PCR testing system, the hospital employed a fast-track PCR system which delivered results in two hours to support fast, accurate testing for urgent cases. The hospital also invested in liquid oxygen storage tanks and 15 HFNC systems, set up more special pressure rooms in the ICU and operating rooms, and mobilised a team of doctors, nurses, and supportive staff for the split hospital model. The goal was to be able to receive patients according to their medical condition while handling urgent cases, such as cardiovascular interventions, stroke and traumatic brain injuries, even in situations where the patient would be at risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2.

“In order to be able to safely adapt to the COVID-19 epidemic, people should feel confident to visit the hospital for timely treatment of chronic diseases. Together with vaccines, getting regular care is the key to reducing the risk of death for COVID-19 patients,‘” said Dr Khanh, concluding his presentation.