The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic

Background. Critical care medicine is a branch of medical science that deals with the characteristics and regularity of life-threatening processes initiated by any injury or disease and, accordingly, relevant treatment for patients with critical illness. Conceptions of critical care medicine in Chin...

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Main Authors: Haiyan Yin, Shan Wang, Youfeng Zhu, Rui Zhang, Xiaoling Ye, Jianrui Wei, Peter C. Hou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Critical Care Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/3956732
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author Haiyan Yin
Shan Wang
Youfeng Zhu
Rui Zhang
Xiaoling Ye
Jianrui Wei
Peter C. Hou
author_facet Haiyan Yin
Shan Wang
Youfeng Zhu
Rui Zhang
Xiaoling Ye
Jianrui Wei
Peter C. Hou
author_sort Haiyan Yin
collection DOAJ
description Background. Critical care medicine is a branch of medical science that deals with the characteristics and regularity of life-threatening processes initiated by any injury or disease and, accordingly, relevant treatment for patients with critical illness. Conceptions of critical care medicine in China stemmed in the early 1970s. Ever since the establishment of the first intensive care unit (ICU) along with the increasingly incomparable role of ICU in medical practices, critical care medicine has become an indispensable part of the Chinese medical and health system. Currently, critical care medicine as a secondary clinical discipline and a well-constructed science is in sustainable development on the way towards systematization and standardization. Methods. The gross domestic product (GDP) and population data were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. The number of ICUs, ICU beds, and hospital beds and other data regarding ICU staffing and facility resources were obtained from the Yearbook of Health in the People’s Republic of China and National Bureau of Statistics. The mortality rates of SARS and COVID-19 and the number of health workers aiding Hubei amid COVID-19 pandemic were obtained from the National Health Commission. Findings. Critical care medicine in mainland China has made significant strides: both quantity and quality are progressing at a fast pace after SARS in 2003. Although there exist some disparities in healthcare personnel and medical resources, they have not hindered the country from mobilizing its healthcare workers and resources against a public health emergency.
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spelling doaj-art-289ed9edae8840b08e0829f6cc548ebc2025-08-20T02:03:51ZengWileyCritical Care Research and Practice2090-13052090-13132020-01-01202010.1155/2020/39567323956732The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 PandemicHaiyan Yin0Shan Wang1Youfeng Zhu2Rui Zhang3Xiaoling Ye4Jianrui Wei5Peter C. Hou6Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510000, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510220, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510220, Guangdong, ChinaDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510220, Guangdong, ChinaGuangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou 510623, Guangdong, ChinaDivision of Emergency Critical Care Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USABackground. Critical care medicine is a branch of medical science that deals with the characteristics and regularity of life-threatening processes initiated by any injury or disease and, accordingly, relevant treatment for patients with critical illness. Conceptions of critical care medicine in China stemmed in the early 1970s. Ever since the establishment of the first intensive care unit (ICU) along with the increasingly incomparable role of ICU in medical practices, critical care medicine has become an indispensable part of the Chinese medical and health system. Currently, critical care medicine as a secondary clinical discipline and a well-constructed science is in sustainable development on the way towards systematization and standardization. Methods. The gross domestic product (GDP) and population data were obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics. The number of ICUs, ICU beds, and hospital beds and other data regarding ICU staffing and facility resources were obtained from the Yearbook of Health in the People’s Republic of China and National Bureau of Statistics. The mortality rates of SARS and COVID-19 and the number of health workers aiding Hubei amid COVID-19 pandemic were obtained from the National Health Commission. Findings. Critical care medicine in mainland China has made significant strides: both quantity and quality are progressing at a fast pace after SARS in 2003. Although there exist some disparities in healthcare personnel and medical resources, they have not hindered the country from mobilizing its healthcare workers and resources against a public health emergency.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/3956732
spellingShingle Haiyan Yin
Shan Wang
Youfeng Zhu
Rui Zhang
Xiaoling Ye
Jianrui Wei
Peter C. Hou
The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
Critical Care Research and Practice
title The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
title_full The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
title_fullStr The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
title_full_unstemmed The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
title_short The Development of Critical Care Medicine in China: From SARS to COVID-19 Pandemic
title_sort development of critical care medicine in china from sars to covid 19 pandemic
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/3956732
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