Focusing on transferring new and advanced techniques

After the provincial merger, Dong Nai now has more than 4.4 million residents, ranking third out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide. The large population puts significant pressure on the healthcare system, especially in remote areas.

Doctors at Thong Nhat General Hospital perform a surgery. Photo: Hanh Dung

To reduce the flow of patients crowding higher-level hospitals for examination and treatment, lower-level hospitals have recently adopted and implemented many new and advanced medical techniques. This undertaking has gradually helped narrow the gap between levels of healthcare.

Smooth coordination between hospital levels

Dr. Ta Quang Tri, specialist level II and director of Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital, stated that after thorough preparation in terms of personnel and facilities, and after receiving the myocardial infarction treatment technique using thrombolytic drugs from Dong Nai General Hospital, doctors at the hospital are now capable of performing this procedure.

The first successful thrombolysis case at this remote hospital involved a 63-year-old male patient, H.H.H., from Tan Phu commune. He presented with left-sided chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and profuse sweating. He was initially taken to Tan Phu Regional Medical Center for emergency care, where he was diagnosed with myocardial infarction. The patient was then quickly transferred to Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital. After examination, doctors confirmed he was suffering from an acute severe myocardial infarction, a life-threatening cardiovascular condition that can lead to sudden death if not treated promptly.

Immediately, doctors at Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital consulted with doctors at Dong Nai General Hospital and decided to perform coronary reperfusion treatment using thrombolytic drugs. After treatment, the patient’s condition improved, chest pain was reduced, and his electrocardiogram showed better results. The patient was then transferred to Dong Nai General Hospital for further specialized treatment. He has since stabilized and been discharged.

Dr. Nguyen Van Son, Intensive Care and Toxicology Department, Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital, who directly performed the procedure, said: Myocardial infarction is a dangerous condition threatening patients’ lives. The optimal treatment method is currently interventional coronary thrombectomy. However, in areas far from interventional cardiology centers such as Dinh Quan and Tan Phu, thrombolytic drug treatment is the best option to take advantage of the ‘golden time’ for patients.

In recent years, hospitals in the province have sent staff to major hospitals, even abroad, for training in advanced techniques such as general laparoscopic surgery, orthopedic endoscopy, trauma endoscopy, and joint replacement…

Improving quality of examination and treatment

At a recent working session with Dong Nai General Hospital, Do Thi Nguyen, director of the Department of Health, requested that the hospital promptly conduct a survey and transfer stroke treatment techniques to Binh Phuoc General Hospital. Earlier, at the end of 2024, Binh Phuoc General Hospital officially implemented interventional cardiology techniques with professional support from Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital.

According to the Department of Health, stroke and cardiovascular diseases are both serious conditions that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Meanwhile, patients in the former Binh Phuoc province face long travel times to reach specialized hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City or the former Dong Nai province. Implementing these techniques at Binh Phuoc General Hospital will improve patients’ chances of survival and recovery, while also helping to ease the burden on higher-level hospitals.

Not only lower-level hospitals, but provincial hospitals are also striving to apply new techniques.

Dr. Nguyen Tuong Quang, specialist level II, deputy director in charge of Thong Nhat General Hospital, shared: “Every year, departments propose implementing new and advanced techniques, particularly in orthopedics, where the general trend is toward smaller incisions and minimally invasive procedures.” Recently, the hospital successfully performed brachial plexus paralysis surgery, free flap surgery, and surgery for mandibular condyle fractures.

In urology, Thong Nhat General Hospital has implemented prostate tumor biopsy guided by ultrasound. This technique is indicated for patients suspected of prostate cancer. With the support of modern equipment, MRI imaging, and 3D reconstruction, doctors can clearly identify the tumor for biopsy, ensuring near-absolute accuracy with minimal complications. The biopsy is performed directly at Thong Nhat General Hospital, without the need to send patients to higher-level hospitals.

Meanwhile, according to Le Anh Phong, Director of Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, the hospital has recently deployed many advanced techniques, notably bronchoscopic removal of a plastic pen cap, about 1cm long, from a child’s bronchus, saving the patient from danger. Other advanced techniques include bone marrow testing, spirometry, and maxillofacial surgery…

By Hanh Dung

Translated by Minh Hanh - Minho