Weekly First-aid Topic: Successful transfer of overweight patient on ventilator
From:Beijing Municipal Health Commission
Date:11/08/2024

On September 18, 2024, the W66 crew of Fangshan Emergency Center Station received a dispatch order. A male patient on a non-invasive ventilator at the respiratory department of Liangxiang Hospital required urgent transfer to Chaoyang Hospital for treatment. Upon receiving the task, the crew rushed to the scene.

Upon arriving, the crew learned that the patient was 53 years old, 175cm tall, but weighed 150 kilograms. It is understood that the patient suffered from severe respiratory diseases, which caused severe damage to his respiratory function, and he had to rely on a non-invasive ventilator to maintain normal breathing. The emergency crew immediately conducted a comprehensive assessment and examination of the patient's baseline conditions. The patient was conscious, had a history of type I respiratory failure and pneumonia, and had a blood oxygen saturation of 96% after using a non-invasive ventilator. The low-grade fever lasted for six days, and the treatment effect was not good. Therefore, he asked to be transferred to another hospital. Doctor Li Bin adjusted the various parameters of the portable ventilator and the flow rate of the oxygen cylinder. Nurse Qu Mengmeng was responsible for connecting the pipeline and observing the patient's blood oxygen and blood pressure. Because the patient was too heavy, conventional transportation methods were difficult to implement, and the emergency crew worked together to transfer the patient smoothly to the ambulance. On the way, the emergency crew kept paying attention to the operation of the equipment and the patient’s condition to ensure that the patient could breathe normally. During the entire transfer process, the crew kept in close contact with the dispatcher, opened a green channel in time, communicated the patient's condition changes, and provided guarantees for subsequent treatment.

The driver Song Xinning drove the ambulance quickly and smoothly and sent the patient to the emergency room of Chaoyang Hospital. At the same time, the crew and the hospital made a proper handover, which won precious time for the further treatment.

This successful transfer fully demonstrated the superb medical technology and strong teamwork ability of the 120 emergency team. They face the difficulties without hesitation and protected the life and health of every patient through their practical actions.