Save every life at all costs——An exclusive interview with a critical care expert from the Comprehensive Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council

　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 17th

　　Xinhua News Agency reporters Xu Penghang and Li Heng

　　According to information from the National Health Commission, as of 24:00 on May 16, there were 5,359 confirmed cases in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, including 343 severe cases, and a total of 211,557 cured and discharged cases.

　　Since the outbreak of COVID-19, my country has adhered to the principle of putting people first and life first, insisting on external defense against imports and internal defense against rebound, and insisting on dynamic clearing.

Recently, the number of newly confirmed local cases and asymptomatic infections in my country has continued to decline, but local transmission has not been completely blocked in some places, and the situation of epidemic prevention and control is still severe and complicated.

　　Severe treatment is a tough nut to crack in the battle against the epidemic.

What changes have been made in the treatment of severe cases in this round of the epidemic?

How to uphold the supremacy of the people and the supremacy of life?

The reporter interviewed two critical care experts from the Comprehensive Group of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council - Du Bin, Vice President of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, and Ma Xiaochun, Director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.

Severe treatment, hard bones that must be gnawed

　　Reporter: Since the beginning of the epidemic, critical care experts have been fighting on the front line of the fight against the epidemic.

What is the current treatment pressure?

How to save lives and race against the virus in critical care work?

　　Ma Xiaochun: Adhering to the supremacy of the people and life, going all out to treat critically ill patients, and doing everything possible to reduce the mortality rate are the top priorities.

We truly do whatever it takes to save every life.

For critically ill patients, we set up a team of experts, "one person, one policy", and it is common for more than a dozen medical staff to turn around a patient.

　　Ma Xiaochun, director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, treats patients with new coronary pneumonia.

(Photo provided by the interviewee)

　　From Wuhan to Shanghai, I have participated in more than ten epidemic treatment work.

As medical workers in the intensive care unit, we are the last line of defense and the gatekeeper of life.

All doctors and nurses have a firm belief - never give up.

This is the work style developed by our critically ill team on a daily basis, and it is also the embodiment of the national anti-epidemic spirit.

　　Du Bin: In the battle against the "epidemic", we have always been at the forefront, striving to "snatch" patients back from the death line.

In the process of treatment, early identification and early treatment of patients at risk of severe illness are crucial.

In Fangcang, our medical staff need to identify as soon as possible, and transfer patients whose condition is worsening to a designated hospital with better conditions as soon as possible.

In some designated hospitals, experienced intensivists form teams to conduct inspections in general wards every day, transfer patients with signs of deterioration to the intensive care unit in a timely manner, and formulate treatment plans as soon as possible.

　　Screening mechanisms such as Fangcang cabins and designated hospitals allow patients to receive treatment at an early stage of deterioration.

We prefer to be able to control the disease at an early stage, rather than wait until it develops into a severe disease before treating it.

Only by moving the gate forward can the patient's life and health be better protected.

Classified treatment, taking into account the treatment of underlying diseases

　　Reporter: At present, my country's epidemic prevention and control has entered a new stage of responding to the epidemic of the Omikron virus variant. What are the new changes and challenges in the treatment of the Omikron epidemic compared with the previous ones?

　　Ma Xiaochun: Omicron is not a "big flu".

Omicron is highly contagious, causing a significant increase in the overall number of infections. Although the impact on young people without underlying diseases is relatively small, it still has a great impact on the elderly and people with underlying diseases.

Pulmonary imaging manifestations are higher in the elderly and people with underlying diseases, and some patients show heavier lung shadows.

　　Over the past two years or so, we have gained a deeper understanding of the new coronavirus and accumulated a lot of experience in treatment.

In the face of a large number of infected people, classified treatment is very important.

For young cases who have been vaccinated, isolation-based measures are taken to block the source of infection; for cases with high risk factors, such as the elderly and patients with underlying diseases, they are concentrated in designated hospitals for treatment.

This is necessary to reduce deaths.

　　Du Bin: In this round of epidemic-related cases, there are more cases of advanced age or combined with underlying diseases.

Different from the previous treatment of respiratory failure caused by COVID-19, doctors with various specialized diagnosis and treatment capabilities are now required to participate in the treatment to meet the treatment needs of patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, tumors, kidney diseases and other basic diseases.

　　Du Bin, vice president of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, treats patients with new coronary pneumonia.

(Photo provided by the interviewee)

　　We also noticed that among critically ill patients, the proportion of unvaccinated Covid-19 patients is high.

Inoculation of the new crown vaccine is still effective in reducing the risk of severe illness and death, and is an important barrier and guarantee.

We also call on those who meet the requirements to be vaccinated against the new crown in time.

Once the prevention and control is relaxed, it will inevitably lead to large-scale infection of the population

　　Reporter: What is the relationship between treatment and prevention and control?

For vulnerable groups such as the elderly, how to protect them?

　　Du Bin: my country has a large population base, a large elderly population, unbalanced regional development, and insufficient total medical resources, especially ICUs. Once the prevention and control is relaxed, it will inevitably lead to large-scale infections, serious illnesses and deaths. People's lives and health will be seriously affected.

Judging from the experience of responding to the Omikron epidemic in many places, if strict prevention and control is not carried out, even if there are abundant medical resources, it will be difficult to cope.

At present, the global epidemic is still at a high level, and the virus is still mutating. There is still great uncertainty in the final direction of the epidemic. It is far from the time to relax and rest.

　　For vulnerable groups such as the elderly and key places such as nursing homes, we must increase prevention and control efforts and focus on "prevention".

Strict prevention and control measures protect the lives of the most people.

　　Ma Xiaochun: We must adhere to the successful experience we have achieved, control the epidemic to a small extent, and reduce large-scale concentrated outbreaks.

Practice has proved that our prevention and control policy is determined by the nature and purpose of the party, our prevention and control policies can stand the test of history, and our prevention and control measures are scientific and effective.

　　In this round of Shanghai epidemic, a large number of medical staff and security teams across the country rushed to Shanghai, which is also a vivid manifestation of our institutional advantages.

From the Wuhan defense battle to the present, what has changed is the continuous refinement of precise diagnosis and treatment plans and prevention and control measures.

　　We believe that in the face of the epidemic, as long as we persevere to the end, we can win.