Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019 n-COV), SAHZU has sent 8 doctors and 7 nurses from Respiratory Medicine, Cardiology and Intensive Care Unit, and 1 hospital infection control expert to Wuhan to provide medical aid.

Below is the extract of their description of their work and life in Wuhan.

LU QUN (LEFT) INSPECTING TIANYOU HOSPITAL

LU Qun
Director of SAHZU Hospital Infection Control
Vice Director of Hospital Infection Committee of Chinese Hospital Association
Feb. 6

Today was my 13th day in Wuhan. I was firstly allocated at Tianyou Hospital to supervise their hospital infection control. Tianyou Hospital is also the place where most of the Zhejiang Medical professionals are placed at. Therefore, I have an especially strong sense of duty for my work, because to help Tianyou is to help my own “brothers and sisters”.

Since arrival, I have checked their isolation units, laboratory, staff areas etc. and looked at their protocols for hospital infection, intensive care, putting on and removing personal protective equipment, sterilization and isolation, and the measures they are taking to manage patient flow and medical suppliers flow. I gave my suggestions and answered their questions. All of my suggestions and answers were quickly adopted.

Feb. 3, 11:30 PM, I picked up an urgent call. The call said that it has been decided to rush-build a 1000-bed shelter hospital in Wuhan International Conference and Exhibition Center to receive patients showing mild symptoms. It is a wonderful method to ease the pressure on the regular hospitals in Wuhan so as to curb the spread of the disease, but also a big challenge for infection control because the Center is very spacious and has double layers.

So they asked me to be there immediately. I rushed to the Center and recommended to build cleaning zone and buffer zone for staff in the square outside the Center because I think the space inside the Center has to be the contaminated area and the area only. I also gave my suggestions about building washrooms and adding heating system for patients. I asked them to make sure at least one-meter space between each patient bed and there should be regional isolation inside the venue.

It was very cold that night. 2 AM, I went back my room, cold and exhausted. I was a little worried that night that I might catch a cold and have fever. If I did, I would have to be quarantined and couldn’t keep working.

The next day, I kept busy at the shelter hospital. I needed to ensure everything is planed correctly such as the protocols, the necessary space between patient beds, the isles etc. I worked with colleagues to set up regulations and guidelines until 9 PM when the first group of patients arrived.

WU XUEJIE WRAPPING HIM UP ON A COLD NIGHT SHIFT

WU Xuejie
Vice Chief Physician of SAHZU Infectious Disease
Feb. 4

Today was Lichun in Chinese lunar calendar. Lichun, meaning the beginning of spring, is also the season to sow the seeds of hope. So, I made a wish. I wish the epidemic could be quickly constrained. I believe there is sunshine everywhere in life as long as there is hope in your heart.

In this fight against the virus, warriors in white gowns are in the frontier of the battlefield. Risks are real, but patients trust us with their life, so we are not afraid. All we want to do is to cut the spread and cure the patients. The epidemic is like an army bugle calling for charge. We are not soldiers, but as soon as we hear the bugle call, we are warriors in white gowns.

Although the number of confirmed cases kept rising recently, but I believe it is the last struggle of the demon virus. We will fight till the end while preparing for the worst.

LU YAN CLEANING THE FLOOR AND MAKING PATIENT BEDS

LU Yan
Charge Nurse of SAHZU Infectious Disease
Feb. 6

Today, I was on night shift from 8 PM to 12 AM. When I was at work, a lot of news came to my ears. I knew this night would be a sleepless night.

First news was about us. The National Health Commission annouced that 31 medical professionals specialized in intensive care from Zhejiang Medical Aid Team will be deployed to the new campus of Wuhan Union Hospital.

The news came a little out of blue. It quickly occurred to me that it is very likely that the 2 ICU specialists from SAHZU would be sent to the very core of this epicenter. Despite being happy for them, I was also very worried. But I knew they will keep moving ahead through the storm.

Second news was about Dr. LI Wenliang who tried to issue the first warnings about the outbreak in Wuhan but infected by the virus.
Everyone at work that night heard about his critical condition and were all worried about him. We hoped there could be a miracle and he could get through it. But after work and coming back to my room, I heard his death news. I felt heavy. I couldn’t calm down.
I think our world needs brave person like Dr. LI Wenliang. I hope you stay healthy in your next life.