Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Giap, Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital, pointed out that overcrowding remains a serious issue during peak hours, despite the hospital offering services until 9 PM.
Dr. Giap noted that the hospital serves an average of 6,000 to 8,000 patients daily, with most arriving without prior appointments.
The hospital advises patients to book appointments in advance to avoid overcrowding (Photo: Thuy Duong).
“Some people arrive as early as 4 or 5 AM, and because there are fewer patients at that time, they get seen quickly. This information spreads, prompting others to come at the same time, resulting in congestion even in the early morning,” explained Dr. Giap.
“8,000 patients plus their relatives coming to the hospital in one morning is a huge number. Despite our staff working at full capacity, patients still face long wait times,” added Deputy Director Giap.
According to him, if the hospital could distribute patient arrivals evenly throughout the day—about 1,000 per hour within an 8-hour workday (not including evening hours until 9 PM)—it would significantly reduce waiting times.
To achieve this, Dr. Giap recommends patients plan their visits (except for emergencies) and schedule appointments in advance.
“We have a hotline for registration, but only about 5% of patients currently use it. Also, don’t worry if you’re scheduled for endoscopy or tests in the afternoon. Most tests aren’t affected by whether they’re done in the morning or afternoon; the key is to fast for 6-8 hours.”
A routine gastroscopy performed after 8 hours from the patient’s lunchtime (Photo: Thuy Duong).
“Instead of waking up at 4 AM, skipping breakfast, and rushing to the hospital, make an appointment. If the doctor schedules you for 1-2 PM, don’t hesitate—have breakfast, go to work, and stop eating before your appointment. Or, if you prefer a 6 PM visit, eat lunch earlier around 11 AM.”
Patients arriving later in the day can still undergo endoscopies, functional tests, or blood work with results as accurate as those conducted after fasting overnight.
Bach Mai Hospital guarantees the accuracy of test results, imaging, and endoscopic procedures for patients visiting in the afternoon or evening.
When patient numbers are distributed more evenly, the final outcome is precise diagnoses and better time management for patients visiting Bach Mai Hospital.
Dr. Giap emphasized that reducing patient congestion allows doctors more time to interact with patients, ask detailed questions, and provide thorough consultations and accurate diagnoses.
Associate Professor Dr. Dao Xuan Co, Director of Bach Mai Hospital, stated that Vietnamese patients are not accustomed to booking appointments. The hospital is implementing various strategies to encourage this habit.
Patients can register by calling the hotline 1900.888.866, using the Bach Mai Care app, or through the hospital’s website. Those who successfully book appointments need only arrive 15 minutes early to see their doctor.
According to Dr. Giap, for common conditions requiring basic tests or imaging, results are typically available within 2 hours, allowing doctors to provide consultations, prescriptions, and discharge patients promptly.
For more complex cases requiring specialized tests, results are usually ready within 4 to 5 hours, enabling doctors to conclude diagnoses and issue prescriptions.
Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital Appointed as Visiting Associate Professor at Australian University
On February 13th, the University of Sydney, Australia, conferred the title of Visiting Associate Professor upon Associate Professor Dr. Vu Van Giap, Deputy Director of Bach Mai Hospital.
In addition to his role at Bach Mai Hospital, Dr. Giap is a senior lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at Hanoi Medical University.
He is a leading respiratory expert with 80 scientific publications and 20 books. Dr. Giap has served on national committees addressing antibiotic resistance and respiratory disease guidelines in Vietnam. Since 2017, he has actively contributed to Australian research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Sydney.
