Liaoning Jinzhou: Regional linkage to treat critically ill patients

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“How do you feel after the infusion today, where else do you feel uncomfortable?” During the Spring Festival, Chai Wenshou, director of the first ward of the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care, sat at the bedside of patient Feng Yingfang at the First Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University and asked her carefully. After learning that the patient had a history of lower extremity venous thrombosis, atrial flutter and coronary artery stenting, Chai took out his stethoscope from his pocket and leaned down to check.

“Breathing and heart rate are normal.” Chai Wenshou looked to the oximeter on the side and said, “The blood oxygen concentration is slightly low, but it is not a big problem. The new coronavirus can easily induce some complications, so you should take your medication on time and make an appointment for a lung CT test later. I wish you a happy Spring Festival and a speedy recovery!”

Last April, the Respiratory Specialty Alliance of the First Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University was established. More than 40 hospitals above the second level in Jinzhou, Huludao and Chaoyang in western Liaoning Province and Qinhuangdao in Hebei Province are collaborating online to communicate their conditions, reserve beds and help refer critically ill patients. Chai Wenshou introduced, “During the Spring Festival, the number of inpatients in the ward was still nearly 50, among which elderly patients with aggravation of underlying diseases caused by new crown infections were our key concern, and colleagues took turns on duty 24 hours a day to make every effort to treat inpatients.”

This year, 71-year-old Zhao Jugang, who lives in Yuxin Village, Jianye Township, Linghai City, was infected with the new crown virus before the Spring Festival, secondary to complications such as respiratory failure. On the day of medical treatment, Zhao Jugang was referred from the county hospital to the First Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, which is the regional respiratory and critical care center in western Liaoning, for treatment. “After admission, the patient’s shortness of breath was significantly reduced by respiratory support and immunomodulatory treatment, and blood oxygen was restored to stability.” Chai Wenshou said.

As night fell, the doctor on duty, Yan Xue, remained on duty. “As the new coronavirus infection further optimizes ‘clinical typing’ treatment, we use the Liaoning West Regional Respiratory and Critical Care Center to set up a coordination and linkage mechanism with the county and grassroots medical institutions, and continue to do a good job of timely referral and transfer of related patients.” Yan Xue said.