Behind the door of the recovery room

In a corner of the hospital, where the lights are always on day and night, the sounds of ventilators and heart rate monitors blend with the hurried footsteps of medical staff. This is the Intensive Care and Toxicology Unit of Ca Mau General Hospital, where the most severe and critical cases are admitted and treated.

• Provincial Military and Civilian Hospital: Enhancing expertise, professional skills, and medical ethics to ensure the health of soldiers and civilians.
• Excellent medical ethics, strong professional expertise.
• Young doctors from Can Tho City volunteer in Dat Mui during the spring season.

Keeping life alive at the frontline

Each year, the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department admits and treats approximately 2,800 critically ill patients as inpatients. These include cases of septic shock, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, multiple organ failure, acute pancreatitis, acute blood loss from various causes, drug poisoning, food poisoning, snake bites, and bee stings. Many patients are transferred from lower-level hospitals to Ca Mau General Hospital in critical condition with a poor prognosis.

The lights in the intensive care unit, where doctors silently nurture patients' lives, shine brightly day and night. (Photo: Truc Linh)

The workload in the intensive care unit is not only high but also demands absolute precision. Even a small mistake can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, every member of the department, from doctors and nurses to orderlies, must work closely together as a synchronized team.

Advanced techniques such as invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation via mask, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients with septic shock and multiple organ failure; central venous catheter placement for pressure measurement, invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring, and pericardiocentesis (drainage of fluid from the pericardium, pleura, and peritoneum) are routinely performed. Thanks to these techniques, many seemingly hopeless cases have been saved.

However, according to doctors, intensive care is not just about machines and advanced techniques; it's also a journey of persistently monitoring vital signs, adjusting medication dosages, and caring for the patient's meals and sleep. Some cases last for months, even years. For example, patient Dang Huyen Nhi, suffering from severe myasthenia gravis, has been receiving continuous treatment for the past four years. From the early days when she was almost entirely dependent on a ventilator, her health has now stabilized, and she is eating normally, although she still needs respiratory support. Behind this progress lies the unwavering monitoring, adjustment of treatment protocols, and constant encouragement from the medical team.

Ms. Do Ngoc Anh, mother of patient Dang Huyen Nhi from Tan Thuan commune, emotionally shared: “There were times when my family almost despaired because my daughter's illness was so severe. But thanks to the dedication and close monitoring of the doctors and nurses in the Intensive Care and Toxicology Unit, my daughter's health has stabilized. My family is truly grateful.”

Doctors and nurses in the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department closely monitor the patient's condition in the intensive care unit.

Beyond professional care, the department also prioritizes a service-oriented attitude. Strictly adhering to the 12 principles of medical ethics and the teaching "A good doctor must be like a loving mother," the doctors and nurses always strive to maintain a compassionate attitude, clearly explaining the patient's condition, prognosis, and treatment plan to the family. In difficult times, this sharing and understanding helps patients' families feel more secure and supportive of the medical team throughout the treatment process.

From the epicenter of the pandemic to everyday life.

The most significant milestone for the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department was undoubtedly the period when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. As the number of cases increased rapidly and many patients developed severe symptoms, the department was assigned to manage the province's intensive Covid-19 treatment area, with 60 beds, located at Ca Mau General Hospital.

In just the three peak months at the end of 2021, the team treated 2,039 severely ill COVID-19 patients, of whom 1,746 recovered and were discharged. These figures not only reflect the team's professional capabilities but also demonstrate the dedication and commitment of the medical staff.

At that time, many doctors and nurses had almost no days off. Working in full protective gear for hours on end, facing the risk of infection, no one faltered. Besides treatment, the department also participated in training and transferring techniques for resuscitating severely ill COVID-19 patients to grassroots levels; training supporting doctors and nurses; and participating in screening and monitoring vaccination for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

After the pandemic, the department's work pace gradually returned to normal with routine cases, but the pressure never eased. The number of critically ill patients remained high, while the demands for quality treatment became increasingly stringent. To meet these demands, the department continuously improved its work processes, enhanced professional skills, promoted scientific research, and applied innovative technical solutions in practice.

Over the past 10 years, the department has participated in numerous scientific research projects, many of which have won high-level provincial awards; technical innovation initiatives have been effectively applied, contributing to improving the quality of treatment and reducing costs for patients.

For many years, the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department has been recognized as an Outstanding Labor Collective and has received numerous commendations from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. For those who work here, the greatest reward is the moment they see a patient open their eyes, breathe on their own again, and be discharged home into the arms of their loved ones.

The Intensive Care and Toxicology Department holds professional meetings every morning to exchange and agree on treatment plans for severe cases.

Leading up to Vietnam Doctors' Day on February 27th, the story of the Intensive Care and Toxicology Department serves as a reminder that behind the achievements of the medical field lie countless all-night shifts, hurried meals, and moments of extreme tension. In what seems like the harshest environment, medical ethics and expertise always go hand in hand, preserving lives and hope for patients.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the hospital, the doors of the intensive care unit remain slightly ajar. Behind those doors, doctors and nurses quietly go about their work, fighting for every heartbeat, every breath, with all the responsibility and compassion of a medical professional.

Truc Linh - Chi Linh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/sau-canh-cua-phong-hoi-suc-a126509.html