Andong Hospital Earns Grade 1 in COPD Appropriateness Assessment

Highest Grade in Nationwide Assessment of Medical Institutions by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service
Confirms Capabilities in Respiratory Disease Management

Andong Hospital, operated by the Andong Medical Foundation and chaired by Kang Sinhong, received the highest grade in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's 2025 11th Appropriateness Assessment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

HIRA Awards Highest Grade in 11th Evaluation for 2025, Covering 6,452 Medical Institutions Nationwide [Photo by Kwon Byeonggeon]

The assessment covered 6,452 medical institutions nationwide that treated patients with COPD from January to December 2025.

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has conducted appropriateness assessments since 2014 to improve the quality of care for patients with COPD and prevent the disease from worsening and requiring hospitalization.

The three main assessment indicators were the rate of pulmonary function tests, the percentage of patients with continuous follow-up visits, and the percentage of patients prescribed inhaled bronchodilators.

Assessment results are based on a combined evaluation of performance across the indicators and are classified into grades from 1 to 5.

Andong Hospital received Grade 1 in this assessment.

This result reflects the hospital's performance across indicators related to COPD management, including pulmonary function testing, ongoing outpatient care, and medication prescriptions.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a respiratory disease in which chronic inflammation develops in the airways and lungs, restricting airflow.

Its main symptoms include coughing, phlegm, and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, it can lead to reduced lung function and acute exacerbations.

The disease is particularly common among older adults, and its symptoms tend to develop gradually. Early diagnosis, regular testing, medication, and ongoing management are therefore important.

Kang Sinhong, chairman of Andong Hospital, said, "We will strengthen our capacity to treat serious illnesses and continue to secure medical staff to provide local residents with systematic medical services."

The assessment result is one objective indicator of how Andong Hospital manages chronic respiratory diseases. The importance of early diagnosis, regular testing, and ongoing patient care is also growing in northern Gyeongsangbuk-do, where the population is aging.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.