Remarkable Achievements of Busan On Hospital's Pancreaticobiliary Center

When diagnosed with suspected pancreatic cancer, many patients often book a train ticket to Seoul. This is due to significant concerns about the medical services for pancreatic cancer in the Busan region. However, there is a hospital that proves these concerns with numbers: the Pancreaticobiliary Center at Busan On Hospital. Since its opening in October 2021, the center announced that it has performed 5,073 endoscopic ultrasounds (EUS) and 3,099 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures by May of this year.

What's the Difference Between EUS and ERCP?

EUS is a crucial examination that accurately detects lesions hidden deep within the pancreas and bile ducts. ERCP, on the other hand, goes a step further, serving as a highly specialized procedure to remove gallstones or widen narrowed bile ducts. These two procedures go beyond the limitations of abdominal ultrasounds, CT, and MRI, playing a significant role in the early detection and treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases. As proficiency is critical for success in this field, the experience of specialized medical staff is paramount.

Growth Trajectory and Patient Analysis

The On Hospital Pancreaticobiliary Center started with 233 EUS procedures in its first year, surging to 1,061 the following year. Since then, it has been performing approximately 1,100 procedures annually. As of mid-May this year, it recorded 369 EUS and 207 ERCP procedures. These figures demonstrate the improving quality of medical services in the Busan region.

• Out of 4,394 admitted patients, 390 (8.9%) were diagnosed with malignant tumors.
• 922 patients (21.0%) were diagnosed with benign tumors.
• 2,994 patients (68.1%) were non-tumor cases, such as gallstones or pancreatitis.

Patient-Centric Medical Services

Notably, 95.1% of admitted patients were admitted through outpatient appointments. This indicates that patients are systematically screened in outpatient settings before proceeding to admission, rather than through the emergency room. The average length of stay, a mere 4 days, is also noteworthy. A system that completes everything from examination to procedure and post-operative monitoring within four days offers significant convenience to patients.

A Medical Hub for Residents of the Bu-Ul-Gyeong Region

Center Director Park Eun-taek stated, "The 5,000 EUS and 3,000 ERCP procedures are records achieved thanks to the regional patients who trusted and visited our medical team." He emphasized, "An average stay of 4 days is proof that our patient-centric system is truly functioning." Hospital Director Kim Dong-heon added, "We are proving that there is no need to travel to Seoul for pancreaticobiliary disease treatment," and pledged, "We will become a comprehensive secondary medical hub safeguarding the pancreatic and biliary health of residents in the Bu-Ul-Gyeong region."

The achievements of the On Hospital Pancreaticobiliary Center in Busan offer great hope to local residents, and it is expected to continue providing patient-centric medical services through ongoing development.