Dong-A University Hospital has launched an AI-powered smart ward in collaboration with Daewoong Pharmaceutical, marking the largest deployment of its kind among tertiary general hospitals in the Busan–Ulsan–South Gyeongsang region.
The hospital said Wednesday that it has implemented the AI-based smart bedside monitoring system “thynC,” extending patient monitoring beyond intensive care units (ICUs) to general wards. The system has been installed across 272 beds out of about 1,000, enhancing patient safety for both critically ill and general inpatients.
Officials from Dong-A University Hospital, Daewoong Pharmaceutical, and SEERS participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of the hospital’s smart ward on Monday. (Courtesy of Dong-A University Hospital)
An official opening ceremony was held Monday at the hospital’s main building, attended by Hospital President Ahn Hee-bae, Daewoong Pharmaceutical CEO Lee Chang-jae, and SEERS CEO Lee Young-shin. The thynC system was developed by SEERS, while Daewoong Pharmaceutical handles domestic distribution and commercialization.
The thynC platform uses wearable devices to continuously collect and analyze patients’ vital signs—including electrocardiogram (ECG), oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate—in real time. The data is processed through AI algorithms, enabling alerts to medical staff when abnormalities are detected, allowing faster clinical response.
Notably, the system can detect early warning signs that were previously difficult to identify, such as asymptomatic arrhythmias or sudden clinical deterioration. This shifts patient management from a reactive to a more predictive, early-intervention approach, potentially reducing emergencies and improving patient safety.
Beyond patient care, the system is also expected to improve the working environment for healthcare professionals. Through centralized monitoring, medical staff can track multiple patients simultaneously, reducing manual checks and documentation. This enables clinicians to focus more on critical decision-making while improving efficiency through real-time data.
The deployment represents the largest implementation of an AI-based smart monitoring system among tertiary hospitals in the region and is being positioned as a model for digital healthcare innovation. The hospital expects similar systems to expand to other regional institutions.
“This adoption of thynC marks a significant turning point in creating a patient safety–first healthcare environment,” Ahn said. “We will continue to introduce AI-based digital healthcare technologies to provide safer and higher-quality medical services.”
Lee said, “This case demonstrates a smart hospital model where patient safety management has been extended from ICUs to general wards. We plan to further enhance the system by adding 24-hour blood pressure and glucose monitoring.”
He added that Daewoong Pharmaceutical, in collaboration with SEERS, aims to support more precise clinical decision-making while enabling nursing staff to focus more on patient safety.
Dong-A University Hospital is a major tertiary care center in the southeastern region, specializing in severe conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The hospital has been expanding its emergency and critical care systems while advancing smart hospital initiatives through digital healthcare technologies.
Lee Han-soo
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