Health Ministry Asks Hospitals to Tighten Patient Transfers

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has requested hospitals nationwide to tighten their regulations on the transfer of patients for treatment at clinics outside the hospital and have proper punishments for violations, state media reported. After initial examination and diagnosis, many public hospital staff deliberately recommended patients have treatments at other hospitals or clinics, said Nguyen Viet Tien, Deputy Minister of Health. The health ministry asked provincial hospitals for tough measures to rectify it, in order to ensure the safety of patients and minimize risks that may arise when patients have treatment at inadequate medical facilities. The ministry also asked the heads of hospitals to seriously direct, review and take strict disciplinary actions against the doctors and medical workers’ illegal introductions and transfers, as well as strengthen the management of patients’ examinations and treatment at their hospitals. Hospitals suffering severe overloads can transfer their patients to other medical facilities that are their local satellite units if the units meet the requirements of professional skills, equipment and infrastructure. The Ministry of Health requested hospitals to have a contractual responsibility and develop mechanisms on the management of patients between hospitals and satellite units. (dantri.com.vn Oct 18, vietnamplus.vn Oct 18)