At about 9 a.m. on November 22, 2023, Xiao Shuangyu, a dispatch doctor at the Beijing 120 dispatch and command center, answered an emergency call for help. The family sounded panicked. "Calm down and please tell me the address clearly, so I can send the ambulance there first. If there is an AED in the community, you could find it as soon as possible. Please keep calm and follow my guidance." Xiao Shuangyu, the dispatching doctor, calmly judged that the patient with a history of coronary heart disease suffered a cardiac arrest at home. After the family member stated the address, she dispatched an ambulance in just 57 seconds and at the same time gave the patient's family members medical guidance on cardiopulmonary resuscitation by telephone. "Please follow my pace and keep doing it. The depth of compression should be at least 5 centimeters. Don't stop until the emergency doctor takes over. The ambulance is already on the way and getting closer to you. There is hope as long as you persist!" With the guidance and encouragement of the dispatching doctor, the family members cooperated with the doctor as much as possible, although still panic.
The team led by Zhao Hongfei from the Western Emergency Center Station was racing against time to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, the medical crew immediately took over and gave the patient high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They asked about the patient's medical history, opened intravenous access, administered rescue drugs, intubated the patient's trachea, and quickly provided the patient with a ventilator. With a series of professional and orderly rescue measures taken by medical staff, the patient gradually recovered his spontaneous heart rate and was successfully resuscitated. Dr. Zhao communicated with the family members about the patient’s condition and asked them to bring medical insurance cards and other medical necessities. After checking that the patient's heart rate was stable and ensuring that other tubes were properly fixed, the crew safely and smoothly transferred the patient to the ambulance. At this time, the dispatching doctor has established a green channel for the patient to seek medical treatment. The team quickly sent the patient to the nearest hospital with the capacity for further treatment. The patient was discharged two days later with a good prognosis.
As winter approaches, the temperature drops sharply, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases enter a period of high incidence. The incidence rates of hypertension, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease and other diseases are higher than in other seasons. It is particularly important to strengthen the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the incidence of respiratory infections increases in winter. After infection, the oxygen exchange capacity of lung tissue decreases, increasing the burden on the heart. Common respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, or asthma may also aggravate the original cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should follow the doctor's advice, take medication regularly, and monitor blood pressure, blood lipids, blood sugar, etc. according to the actual condition. It is not recommended to reduce or stop medication without doctor’s permission.
Beijing 120 reminds you that if symptoms such as chest tightness, chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, headache, sudden uncoordinated speech or body movements, it is necessary to pay attention and seek medical treatment in time. If necessary, the patient could call 120 as soon as possible and follow the dispatch doctor's guidance to provide on-site first aid.