Nephrology Faculty / Medical Staff >

The Department of Nephrology at the Samsung Medical Center seeks the comprehensive cure of renal diseases based on respect for patients and value of life. Renal diseases include various inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic diseases of the kidney and the urinary tract. If they are not managed properly at an early stage, they may lead to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation, which leads to pain to the individual and social loss. The Department of Nephrology provides patient-centered medical care based on expertise, experience, and a well-organized practice system to promote the happiness of patients through effective diagnosis and early treatment. In addition, we are striving to conduct research on the development of novel and superior treatment methods, and to provide education for training experts in the field of nephrology.

Major areas of treatment / Clinics

  • Diagnosis and treatment of abnormal urinalysis, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and electrolyte imbalance
  • Diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can lead to chronic kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, glomerular disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, tubular disorder, renovascular disease, and urinary tract infections, and the systemic complications of chronic kidney diseases
  • Kidney transplantation center: living donor & deceased donor kidney transplantation, donor exchange program, and kidney donor clinic
  • Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis clinics

Strong points

The Department of Nephrology at the Samsung Medical Center actively pursues early diagnosis and adequate treatment for renal complications in critically ill patients based on its broad experience in treating these patients with various conditions. We also provide systematic education programs for patients with end-stage renal disease to help them select individualized optimal renal replacement therapy methods in a timely manner. In the recently renovated hemodialysis unit, we provide optimized hemodialysis therapy and comprehensive management for each patient. In the peritoneal dialysis unit, meticulous medical care is provided for both inpatients and outpatients, including phone counseling and home visits. We also run a world-class kidney transplantation center using an integrated medical care system composed of a team of experts from the Departments of Nephrology, Transplantation Surgery, Pathology, and Laboratory Medicine. There is also a kidney donor clinic for pre-operative and post-operative health management of kidney donors.

Diagnostic tests

The Department of Nephrology provides state-of-the-art diagnostic tests to patients in collaboration with the Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Radiology.

Latest treatments

We have performed successful kidney transplantations for immunologically high-risk patients such as blood type incompatible patients using the latest protocols of immunosuppression in the kidney transplantation center. In particular, immunologically high-risk patients have been carefully screened and most appropriate transplantation methods including desensitization and kidney paired donation program (kidney transplantations between multiple pairs of donor-recipients through donor exchange) have been applied. Immune tolerance (maintaining transplanted kidney function without immunosuppression) is also under investigation using simultaneous transplantation of kidney and bone marrow. In the dialysis unit, we are attempting combined dialysis treatment with peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis in patients with difficulties coming to the hospital three times a week for hemodialysis but peritoneal dialysis by itself is insufficient. For critically ill patients with renal insufficiency, continuous renal replacement therapy is actively performed in the intensive care unit. There is also a day ward for preventing contrast-induced nephropathy from contrast-enhanced CT-scans or procedures by administration of fluids and preventive agents (N-acetylcysteine).

Recent trends in clinical research

We are performing research on the mechanisms of renal injury from glomerulonephritis and diabetic nephropathy, which are the major causes of chronic kidney diseases, and we anticipate that the accumulation of this research data will help in finding a new treatment. We are actively performing clinical studies on the development of new arteriovenous grafts for hemodialysis patients, combination therapy of peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis, and continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients. We are also working closely with the Department of Transplantation Surgery to perform clinical research on non-invasive diagnostic methods using blood or urine in kidney transplantation patients.

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Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.