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Response of Chinese Anesthesiologists to the COVID-19 Outbreak
Hong-Fei Zhang1, Lulong Bo, Yun Lin
1From the Department of Anesthesiology, Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China (H.F.Z., F.X.L., H.B.L., S.Y.X.) Faculty of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China (L.B., J.B., X.D.) Institute of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China (Y.L., S.S., X.C., S.Y.) Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (L.M.).
Insights
Anesthesia providers faced high COVID-19 risks. Actions included specialized training and mental health support for critical care during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, rapidly spread globally.
- Anesthesia providers were at high risk due to the primary transmission routes of respiratory droplets and close contact.
- The outbreak in Wuhan, China, highlighted the immediate challenges for healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the actions taken by Chinese anesthesiologists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To share lessons learned regarding patient care and provider safety.
- To outline future research and preparedness needs for anesthesia in mass casualty events.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of nationwide protocols for airway management, oxygen therapy, ventilation, hemodynamic support, sedation, and analgesia.
- Development and delivery of online education for anesthesia providers on COVID-19 critical care procedures.
- Establishment of mental health support platforms for frontline anesthesia professionals.
Main Results:
- Anesthesia providers adopted new protocols and received specialized training to manage COVID-19 patients.
- Mental health resources were crucial for supporting providers during the prolonged crisis.
- The experience underscored the need for adaptable critical care strategies.
Conclusions:
- Proactive measures in airway management, critical care, and provider well-being are essential during pandemics.
- Continuous education and mental health support are vital for anesthesia teams.
- Pandemic preparedness must include specific strategies for anesthesia providers in mass critical care scenarios.
Abstract:
The coronavirus disease 2019, named COVID-19 officially by the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland) on February 12, 2020, has spread at unprecedented speed. After the first outbreak in Wuhan, China, Chinese anesthesiologists encountered increasing numbers of infected patients since December 2019. Because the main route of transmission is via respiratory droplets and close contact, anesthesia providers are at a high risk when responding to the devastating mass emergency. So far, actions have been taken including but not limited to nationwide actions and online education regarding special procedures of airway management, oxygen therapy, ventilation support, hemodynamic management, sedation, and analgesia. As the epidemic situation has lasted for months (thus far), special platforms have also been set up to provide free mental health care to all anesthesia providers participating in acute and critical caring for COVID-19 patients. The current article documents the actions taken, lesson learned, and future work needed.
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