To alleviate the burden of soaring infections on the Department of Emergency, the fever clinic and the ICUs, PUMCH speedily opened the general ward of the Department of Internal Medicine to admit COVID patients in critical conditions. Guided by their sense of responsibility and their initiative, PUMCHers take bold and smart action and do everything they can for people’s health.

In the wake of the release of the new 10 measures on easing COVID controls, the hospital gradually shifted from prevention and control to treatment. On December 10, 2022, PUMCH decided to speedily repurpose Ward No. 3 of the Department of Orthopedics Surgery into the general ward of the Department of Internal Medicine to admit and treat COVID patients in critical conditions. Thanks to the early command of the hospital leadership, the coordination between the Department of Medical Affairs, the Department of Nursing and the Department of Central Support, and the huge support of the Department of Internal Medicine, the medical team headed by Cao Wei, Deputy Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, and Ma Chenxi, a nursing tutor of the Department of Rheumatology was soon formed and got ready for admitting patients within 7 hours.

The majority of COVID patients admitted to the general ward of the Department of Internal Medicine are diverted from the emergency care and fever clinic, and a high percentage of them are in their 80s, have medical comorbidities, or are in critical conditions, hence the difficulties in treating them. In light of this, the ward adopts the management mode featuring full support of the Department of Internal Medicine, ward rounds led by the Department of Infectious Diseases, and MDT.

Although the general ward of the Department of Internal Medicine was staffed by personnel from various specialties assigned on short notice, they all, upholding the of PUMCH spirit, made concerted efforts to overcome difficulties and smooth over differences rapidly, making a strong team.

From December 27, 2022 onward, given the changes in the epidemic situation, the general ward of the Department of Internal Medicine was taken over by the Department of Geriatrics and gradually admitted more patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Cao Wei, Deputy Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases continued to serve as a co-ward round professor for the ward. PUMCHers will continue to do their best and provide the last line of defense for people’s health.

MDT team was discussing a case

Written by reporter Yan Xiaobo

Photographed by Du Yufu

Translated by Liu Haiyan

Edited by Wang Yao