Conditions for transfer of medical facilities in Vietnam

Conditions for transfer of medical facilities in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

1. Conditions for transfer of medical facilities in Vietnam

According to Article 5 of Circular 14/2014/TT-BYT, conditions for transfer of medical facilities are as follows:

1.1 Transfer patients from inferior facility to superior facility in Vietnam

The medical facility shall transfer a patient to a superior facility if the following conditions are satisfied:

- The disease is not suitable to the capacity in diagnosis and treatment and the list of techniques of the medical facility approved by a regulatory authority in healthcare or, the disease is suitable to the capacity in diagnosis and treatment and the list of techniques of the medical facility approved by a regulatory authority in healthcare but, due to an objective reason, such medical facility is not qualified to provide diagnosis and treatment;

- Depending on the list of techniques approved by a regulatory authority in healthcare, if the directly superior facility does not have suitable medical techniques, patients shall be transferred to a higher-rank facility;

- Before the patient is transferred, a medical consultation shall be held to appoint the receiving facility (excluding rank 4 clinics and medical facilities).

1.2 Transfer patients from superior facility to inferior facility in Vietnam

A medical facility may transfer the patient to a suitable inferior facility if the patient is diagnosed no longer in emergency conditions and the disease has eased up and suitable for receiving treatment from an inferior facility.

1.3 Transfer of patients between medical facilities of the same level in Vietnam

Conditions for transfer of patients between medical facilities of the same level:

- The disease is not suitable to the list of techniques of the medical facility approved by a regulatory authority in healthcare or, the disease is suitable to the list of techniques of the medical facility approved by a regulatory authority in healthcare but, due to an objective reason, such medical facility is not qualified to provided diagnosis and treatment;

- The disease is suitable to the list of techniques of the medical facility that is planned to receive the patient that is approved by a regulatory authority.

1.4 Transfer between medical facilities in neighboring areas in Vietnam

Transfer between medical facilities in neighboring areas to ensure good conditions for patients:

- Directors of Departments of Health of provinces shall detail the transfer between medical facilities in neighboring areas in central-affiliated cities and provinces within their management;

- Directors of Departments of Health of provinces shall cooperate with each other in guiding the transfer between medical facilities in neighboring areas in central-affiliated cities and provinces within their management;

Note:

The transfers of patients according to regulations above are considered on-line transfer. The transfers of patients uncomfortable with regulations above are considered off-line transfer

If the patient does not satisfy the conditions for transfer of facilities specified above but he/she or his/her legal representative requests the transfer, the medical facility shall carry out the transfer procedures to ensure the right of choosing medical facility of the patient.

The transferring facility shall provide the patient with information about the rights and charge of medical treatment after deducting the amount covered by medical insurance when receiving off-line treatment.

2. Power to sign the slip of transfer in Vietnam

Article 6 of Circular 14/2014/TT-BYT stipulates the power to sign the slip of transfer as follows:

- Regarding public medical facilities: the Head of the medical facility or the person authorized by the Head of the medical facility is in charge of signing the slip of transfer.

- Regarding public medical facilities: the person in charge of professional skills of the medical facility or the person authorized by him/her is in charge of signing the slip of transfer.

- In a shift, the leader of the team is in charge of signing the slip of transfer.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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