Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (formerly the Department of Respiratory Medicine) is the earliest established specialty for respiratory diseases in Bao’an District. As a key discipline in Bao’an District, it holds an important position in the medical field of western Shenzhen with its professionalism and comprehensive treatment capabilities. The department integrates medical services, teaching, and research, focusing on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of respiratory diseases, to provide comprehensive and professional care for patients.
I. Department Overview
The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has undergone rapid development over the years, establishing a comprehensive treatment platform centered on respiratory intervention and respiratory support. It is particularly notable for its expertise in managing critical illnesses and providing respiratory intervention therapies. The department currently has 40 approved beds, including 6 beds in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) and 34 general respiratory beds. After the second phase of construction, the number of beds will increase to 110, with an independent RICU and respiratory endoscopy center.
II. Medical Equipment
The department features advanced medical equipment, including electronic bronchoscopes, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), virtual navigation systems, thoracoscopes, rigid bronchoscopes, cryoablation systems (argon-helium knife), ERBE cryotherapy devices, photodynamic therapy devices, pulmonary function testers, exhaled nitric oxide detectors, various invasive and non-invasive ventilators, high-flow humidification therapy devices, polysomnography monitoring workstations, portable polysomnography monitors, multi-parameter electrocardiogram monitors, and microwave therapy devices.
III. Disciplinary Team
The department has a high-quality medical team, consisting of 2 chief physicians, 4 associate chief physicians, 9 attending physicians, and 2 resident physicians. Among them are 4 doctors and 10 master's degree holders. Professor Xu Fei, the discipline leader of the department, was previously the head of a national key specialty. He is proficient in respiratory intervention techniques, including percutaneous lung biopsy/radiofrequency/microwave/argon-helium knife/Cambo knife ablation and radioactive particle implantation, electrocautery/argon plasma coagulation/cryotherapy/laser/photodynamic therapy/radioactive particle/balloon/stent/T-tube under bronchoscopy, bronchoscopic navigation biopsy and ablation, rigid bronchoscopy techniques, and medical thoracoscopy techniques.
IV. Medical Technologies
The department continuously innovates its medical technologies and has pioneered advanced techniques, such as rigid bronchoscopy techniques, trans-fiberoptic bronchoscope interventional treatment techniques (navigation biopsy, cryo- and thermal ablation, cryobiopsy of the lung, stent implantation, trans-bronchoscopic thermal vapor lung volume reduction, etc.), endobronchial ultrasound, thoracoscopy, and percutaneous tumor ablation techniques. These technologies significantly enhance the diagnosis and treatment outcomes for respiratory diseases. The department also offers critical care for patients with respiratory failure and multi-organ dysfunction using mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), achieving high rescue success rates.
V. Specialty Clinics and Characteristic Treatments
The department provides both specialized and expert clinics for conditions such as lung nodules, lung cancer, pulmonary infections, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), bronchial asthma, chronic cough, smoking cessation, sleep-disordered breathing. For lung nodules and tumors, the department has established a multidisciplinary team (MDT) that collaborates with thoracic surgery, oncology, radiotherapy, pathology, and other departments. The team employs comprehensive treatment strategies, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine treatment, and interventional therapies, to improve patient survival and quality of life. In addition, the department specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infectious diseases, such as infections caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, tuberculosis, and atypical pathogens. It is also skilled in diagnosing and treating conditions like bronchial asthma, pulmonary vascular diseases, and pulmonary fibrosis.
VI. Teaching and Research
The department emphasizes the integration of teaching and research, undertaking numerous research projects and publishing many SCI-indexed and core journal papers. It actively participates in national and international academic exchanges to continuously enhance its academic influence. The department also provides undergraduate teaching, clinical training, and internships for students from Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Medical University, and Shenzhen University, fostering talent in respiratory and critical care medicine.
VII. Rehabilitation and Nursing
The department has a dedicated rehabilitation and nursing team that provides comprehensive services for patients. Specialized rehabilitation programs, such as cough training, respiratory muscle training, and exercise training, effectively improve patients’ quality of life, alleviate respiratory distress, and reduce acute exacerbations. Additionally, the department pays attention to the psychological care and health education to help patients build confidence in managing their conditions.
The Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, with its professional team, advanced equipment, innovative techniques, specialized clinics, profound teaching and research capabilities, and comprehensive rehabilitation services, enjoys a strong reputation in respiratory diseases management. In the future, the department will continue adhering to its “patient-centered” philosophy, striving to provide high-quality and efficient medical services.
