Since entry into closed loop of the Winter Olympics started in late January, 2022, PUMCH has sent 128 medical staff members to work in medical service stations at venues, ski resorts and the Winter Olympic Ward. The PUMCH team has won unanimous praise from all parties involved with its outstanding diagnosis and treatment, multidisciplinary collaboration, rapid response and humanistic care, and it has been highly recognized by the IOC and the Beijing Organizing Committee. Everyone expressed their trust in and gratitude to PUMCH medical staff in different ways.

Mr. Bach Personally Presented the Olympic Rings Pin

On January 30, Chen Gang, PUMCH Medical Officer at the venue, and Wang Sinong, the nurse at the medical service station, received the Olympic pins given by IOC President Mr. Bach personally, who said humorously: “You are now doctor and nurse officially appointed by the IOC!”

On February 2, the medical service station at the venue and the Winter Olympic Ward together treated an international patient with acute chest pain. Mr. Bach expressed his appreciation for the accurate judgment, close collaboration and effective follow-up treatment of the PUMCH team. The next day, the team came across Mr. Bach at the entrance of the reception room, who politely said: “After you please. Thank you for your excellent work yesterday!” As a part of the medical service force for the Winter Olympic Games, the PUMCH team felt quite honored to be praised verbally by Mr. Bach.

On February 5, to repay Mr. Bach for his trust in and recognition of PUMCH, Chen Gang and Wang Sinong gave a PUMCH pin to Mr. Bach, and congratulated him on his wonderful speech at the opening ceremony the day before. Mr. Bach said humorously: “Did you understand my Chinese at the opening ceremony?” Chen Gang joked: “Yes, and your Chinese pronunciation is very good, but you did not say ‘gong xi fa cai’ (wish you rich), a phrase you picked up a few days ago.” Mr. Bach replied with a smile: “I say that to you now, gong xi fa cai, wish you rich!”

The exchange of pins is proof of a great friendship. The doctors and nurses of PUMCH have won respect with their professionalism, and their sincerity helped them make friends with international guests.

Letter of Thanks in German from a Chinese Volunteer

“lch danke lhnen ganz herlich. Für mich sind Sie gleichzeitig Engel und Soldaten. Wir Freiwilligen und Mitarbeiter fühlen uns sicher und getrost,weil wir wissen,dass Sie immer für uns da sind. ” (Thank you very much. To me you are angels and soldiers at the same time. We volunteers and staff feel safe and comfort knowing that you are always there for us.)

In the late night of February 4 when everyone was immersed in the joy of the successful opening ceremony, volunteer C, a young college student, developed symptoms of rapid heartbeat, chest tightness, palpitations, nausea and retching on the way back to the hotel from the opening ceremony. Alarmed by the critical condition, PUMCH doctors at the medical service station all rushed to C within 3 minutes, and then transferred her to the station for preliminary monitoring and tests. Rui Xi and Du Wei, deputy chief physicians of the Department of Intensive Care Unit, and Yang Chen, physician from the Department of Hematology, gave her first-aid care there. Just when everyone else felt anxious about her condition and thought that she had an acute heart attack and needed to be urgently sent to the designated hospital for further treatment, the PUMCH medical service team, with their rich clinical experience and without the convenience of doing blood tests, decided that it was hypothermia. “This is caused by working long hours outdoors at low temperature. She will recover soon after we give her treatment such as oxygen inhalation, hot water intake, and carbohydrate and salt supplementation, and at the same time keep her warm.” 50 minutes later, C’s symptoms were relieved and her body temperature returned to normal. In fact, she fully recovered the next day. When she returned to hospital for a check, she sent doctors a handwritten letter of thanks in German. Only then did the PUMCH medical team knew that C was a graduate student majoring in German at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and she accompanied the German delegation as a volunteer. “We feel a strong sense of achievement for saving such an outstanding Chinese student during the Winter Olympics, and also feel proud that our nation has so many young talents like her,” said Lin Chen.

Always Ready to Rush to Skiers in Need

By the alpine skiing track on the top of Xiaohaituo Mountain of Yanqing, Beijing, a group of Chinese ski doctors in yellow vests who carry 10kg medical rescue kits are separately stationed at key points of the track. They keep an eye on the track, ready to rush to the wounded any minute. Ski doctor Deng Kan said: “Our mission is to be the guardian of the Winter Olympics, dedicate ourselves to protecting the health of every skier at the ski resort.”

On February 15, a French athlete lost her balance in the final of women’s downhill alpine skiing and fell on the track after the jump. She screamed out of the sharp pain. The Chinese ski doctors immediately rushed to her and transferred her on a stretcher to the medical service station at the tarmac. Ski doctor Che Lu and others gave her first aid at the station. After careful examination, analgesia and immobilization, her pain was greatly relieved. Fortunately, the preliminary examination showed that the skier had no obvious fracture. She was immediately transferred to Yanqing Hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors at Frontline and Home Front Joined Hands in Treatment of Mr. A

“I feel quite well now and thank you for your care!” After being discharged from the Winter Olympic Ward, Mr. A, an IOC official, expressed his thanks whenever he met the PUMCH medical staff.

On February 2, Mr. A suffered sudden acute chest pain and vomiting. Chen Gang, Bai Wei and Song Danping from the medical service station at the venue performed emergency handling and then quickly transferred him to the PUMCH Winter Olympic Ward. Xu Kaifeng, Director of the Winter Olympics Ward, activated the emergency procedures for patients with chest pain. Liu Zhenyu, a specialist from the Department of Cardiology, quickly got prepared and remotely participated in the discussion on the ECG performed at the medical service station. Half an hour later, the patient was transferred to the hospital. Through detailed inquiry and physical examination and based on the ECG and myocardial damage markers, doctors ruled out acute coronary syndrome. To identify the cause of vomiting, Yang Aiming, Director of the Department of Gastroenterology, performed an endoscopy with assistance from Huang Yuguang, Director of the Department of Anesthesiology, and Pei Lijian, Deputy Director of the Department of Anesthesiology. The experts in the Winter Olympic Ward jointly developed a customized treatment plan for the patient. After a 7-hour emergency evaluation, rescue and treatment, Mr. A’ condition stabilized. The next morning, his symptoms were completely relieved and he could eat by himself.

For the next three days, the doctors of the medical service station continued to monitor and take care of Mr. A until he left China by plane. The team also provided IOC with his complete medical records as a reference for follow-up treatment.

The weather is cold, but the care is warm and touching. PUMCH medical service team received a total of 35 letters of thanks from various groups such as IOC officials, international experts, venue staff, and volunteers. Behind the “Thank you” and each letter of thanks is the high-quality and heartwarming medical service provided by PUMCH for all parties involved in the Winter Olympics, showing PUMCH’s fulfillment of responsibility and contribution to a wonderful, extraordinary and outstanding Winter Olympics.

PUMCH received letters of thanks in Chinese and foreign languages

Chen Gang (right) and Wang Sinong (left) showed the Olympic pins given by Mr. Bach

After recovery, student C gave a thumbs-up to the PUMCH medical service team

PUMCH ski doctors: Deng Kan, Che Lu, Li Qiyi and He Jia from left to right

Ren Guangwei from PUMCH provided medical service for slopestyle in the Genting Snow Park, Chongli

Journalist: Fu Tanping

Correspondent: Xu Kaifeng, Chen Gang and Lin Chen

Picture: The Winter Olympic medical service team

Translator: Liu Haiyan

Editor: Wang Yao