Editor's notes:

[Health Byte] is your insider guide to navigating Shanghai's health maze. From the labyrinth of public and private healthcare options to the pulse of cutting-edge medical services, we've got you covered. Each bite-sized article ends with a health tip, making wellness in the city more accessible than ever. Wondering about hospital features, where to find bilingual medics, or the scoop on insurance coverage? "Health Byte" breaks it down, offering clear, actionable insights.
 

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Medics are busy saving a patient at emergency department of Shanghai United Family Hospital.

General information of emergency service in Shanghai

Sometimes the unexpected happens. It's the middle of the night, and you find yourself in need of URGENT medical help. It can be scary, especially while living in a place that isn't your hometown. Save this article (and share it with friends) because in this Health Byte, we'll be covering: emergency services in Shanghai.

The Basics:

Every district and city-level state-owned comprehensive hospital has an emergency department, alongside a selection of premier public specialized hospitals and international medical facilities.

The Shanghai Health Commission has set forth detailed guidelines covering everything from equipment and space to beds, staffing, and procedures. These standards are tailored to match the service volumes of different hospitals, ensuring readiness and efficiency at every turn.

But here's the golden rule: Medical professionals call the shots on who goes where and when. They assess the severity of each case and direct patients to the most suitable area for appropriate treatment, leveraging the available medical resources. It's a finely tuned symphony of care, designed to make sure you get the right help, right when you need it.

Shanghai's Levels of Medical Triage and Hospital Sections

In the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, where tradition meets modernity, Shanghai's emergency departments operate with a finely tuned precision that rivals the city's famed orchestras. Patients are assessed and divided into four levels, each ensuring that the right care reaches those in need, precisely when they need it.

Level 1: The Direst of Emergencies. These patients are on the brink, requiring immediate life-saving interventions. Think heart or respiratory arrest, severe trauma, acute poisoning, or major organ failure. It's an all-hands-on-deck situation, with every second counting.

Level 2: Critical Condition. These individuals hover in a precarious balance, stable for now but with a high risk of deteriorating quickly. They're monitored closely to prevent a sudden slide into Level 1 territory.

Level 3: Urgent Care Needed. These patients require prompt medical attention to alleviate significant symptoms. They're stable but still need swift intervention to prevent escalation.

Level 4: Non-Urgent. These are the less critical cases, needing care but not immediate attention.

Shanghai's emergency departments are strategically divided into three distinct sections:

• Red Section: This is the front line, hosting the emergency first aid room and intensive care units for Levels 1 and 2. It's the epicenter of life-saving activities.
   
• Yellow Section: Reserved for Level 3 patients, this area includes the emergency ward and observation rooms. Should any patient's condition worsen, they're swiftly moved to the Red Section.
   
• Green Section: Designed for Level 4 patients, this area houses the ordinary emergency care and various examination rooms. It's where non-urgent cases are managed with calm efficiency.

At the gateway of this system stands the triage desk, manned by seasoned nurses with at least three years of emergency service experience. They classify patients into the appropriate levels, ensuring that those in Levels 1 and 2 are whisked through the green channel for immediate rescue, while Level 3 patients receive priority treatment. Notably, in Shanghai's spirit of swift efficiency, critical patients and those with serious injuries receive care before payment is even considered. Therefore, in dire circumstances, don't let your financial situation cause you to hesitate, just go to the hospital immediately if you feel something is seriously wrong.

Shanghai's emergency departments operate with the precision of a traditional calligrapher and the urgency of a street market vendor at peak hour, ensuring every resident and visitor receives top-tier medical attention in their hour of need.
 

Shanghai International Hospitals with Emergency Departments

International hospitals in Shanghai also have emergency departments. Notable facilities like Shanghai United Family Hospital, Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital and Jiahui International Hospital are renowned for their high-quality emergency care and excellent facilities.

At Shanghai United Family Hospital: As one of the first international hospitals in China, its emergency department has comprehensive care. From acute coronary issues and strokes to major traumas, and covering everything from pediatrics to severe obstetric situations, they've got it covered 24/7. Their green channels ensure that specialists are always on hand, ready to provide emergency care or surgical procedures for children, adults, and the elderly. The Pudong branch stands out as the only private hospital in the Pudong New Area with a round-the-clock emergency service.

The Pudong branch stands out as the only private hospital in the Pudong New Area with a round-the-clock emergency service.

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A patient receive care at the emergency department of Shanghai United Family Hospital.

Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital: Nestled in the heart of the Bund area, this hospital offers 24-hour emergency services, making it a convenient choice for the international community. Equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, imaging departments (including color ultrasound, CT, and MRI), resuscitation rooms, and operating theaters, they're prepared for both medical and surgical emergencies. Their medical team, particularly skilled in surgical and orthopedic emergencies, brings a wealth of experience in trauma care.
 

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A doctor from Shanghai SinoUnited Hospital checks a patient at its emergency room.

At Jiahui International Hospital, its comprehensive emergency's medical service is provided with multiple disciplinary team with rapid response and support, which include internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, trauma, operation theater, ICU. Green channel for critical care (such as acute chest pain and stroke) is provided with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure fast hospital inpatient process and urgent therapy if it is necessary. 
 

With strong public health collaboration and responsiveness, it has dog bite clinic, fever clinic, as well as green channel with public leading hospitals are also available at Jiahui.

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The emergency department of Jiahui International Hospital.

Dog Bites in Shanghai, Woof!

As the temperature rises in our vibrant city, so too does the number of folks making unexpected visits to the doctor due to overheated, disgruntled furry friends. Summer seems to bring out the friskiness in our pets, leading to an uptick in bites and scratches (cats probably!). Whether it's a playful nip or an overenthusiastic pounce, it's crucial to get timely treatment and vaccinations to ward off rabies – a serious but preventable disease.

Thankfully, Shanghai's got you covered with a network of 24-hour dog bite clinics, ensuring you get the care you need, no matter the hour. Here's your go-to list for dog bite clinics in the city.

https://www.citynewsservice.cn/service/%5BHealth-Byte%5D-List-of-24-hour-dog-bite-clinics-in-Shanghai-e05jypk88dk849z7

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The dog bite clinic at Shanghai United Family Hospital. All dog bite clinics in the city run by public hospitals and private facilities operate 24 hours every day.

The Risk of Rabies and How to Prevent It

Insights from Dr. Leon Li, Department Chair of Emergency Medicine at Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics

Q: What is rabies?

A: According to the World Health Organization, rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease occurring in over 150 countries and territories. It spreads through the saliva of infected animals, typically via deep bites or scratches. The virus attacks neurons, causing brain inflammation. Early symptoms mimic the flu – think weakness, fever, headache, anxiety, sore throat, and cough. As it progresses, symptoms can escalate to aggression, convulsions, hallucinations, coma, and unfortunately, death. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, with timely vaccination, this deadly disease can be entirely prevented. If bitten or scratched by an animal, seek medical attention immediately – there's no safe period to wait.

Q: Do all pets or animals carry the rabies virus?

A: Rabies only spreads among mammals, such as dogs, cats, sheep, cows, bats, and mice. Dogs are the primary culprits, responsible for up to 99 percent of human rabies transmissions. While rabies transmission from mice is rare, we still recommend vaccination after a mouse bite. On the bright side, bites from non-mammals like turtles pose no rabies risk.

Q: Why is summer a peak season for dog bites?

A: Animals can be more irritable and prone to biting in the heat. Additionally, with fewer layers of clothing in summer, our skin is more exposed, making injuries more likely. Hence, while dog bites occur year-round, they spike in the summer months.

Q: How can rabies be prevented?

A: Vaccinating dogs is the most cost-effective way to prevent rabies in humans. It significantly reduces rabies-related deaths and the need for post-exposure prophylaxis in people.

Q: What should people do if they are bitten by a dog?

A: Here are three essential steps:

1. Stay calm. Carefully observe the situation, noting the type of animal, whether it's a pet or wild, and if the bite was provoked or unprovoked. This information is crucial for your doctor to assess the risk.
    
2. Seek medical attention promptly. Visit a hospital or clinic equipped to treat dog bites. Shanghai boasts numerous 24-hour facilities that can be conveniently located online.
    
3. Get vaccinated if necessary.

Q: What is the treatment for dog bites?

A: At dog bite clinics, medical staff will clean the wound and assess its severity using a three-level system before taking appropriate action. According to WHO guidelines:

• Category I – No exposure (e.g., touching or feeding animals, animal licks on intact skin): Just wash the exposed skin.
   
• Category II – Exposure (e.g., minor scratches or abrasions without bleeding): Wash the wound and get vaccinated immediately.
   
• Category III – Severe exposure (e.g., deep bites, scratches, saliva contact with mucous membranes): Wash the wound, get vaccinated immediately, and receive rabies immunoglobulin.

Q: What are the options for rabies vaccines?

A: Vaccines are supplied by the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, typically requiring four or five shots depending on availability.

Q: Are there any precautions when receiving rabies vaccinations?

A: Do not switch vaccine brands for the same bite. Adhere to the vaccination schedule provided in the instruction booklet. If health issues necessitate postponing an inoculation, consult your doctor first.

Q: Do the vaccines cause any adverse side effects?

A: Like other vaccines, rabies vaccines might cause localized swelling and fever, which usually resolve without medical intervention.

Health Byte Tips: Dengue Fever Alert!

Ah, the allure of tropical getaways – swaying palms, azure waters, and unfortunately, the occasional mosquito!!! Local health authorities are raising the alarm about the risk of dengue fever for those returning from such exotic locales. The numbers are on the rise here in Shanghai, with reported cases climbing from one in January, to six in February, and nine in March.

What is Dengue Fever?

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne illness often found in tropical and subtropical regions. Its calling card.

1. High Fever: Sudden onset of high temperature.
    
2. Severe Headache: Often centered behind the eyes.
    
3. Pain: Intense muscle, bone, or joint pain (sometimes referred to as "breakbone fever").
    
4. Nausea and Vomiting: Gastrointestinal symptoms can be common.
    
5. Rashes: Red rashes appearing on the skin.
    
6. Fatigue and Weakness: General feeling of tiredness and weakness.
    
7. Bleeding: Mild bleeding (such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising) in severe cases.
    

While most people recover well, some can experience severe complications.
 

There was a recent case at Shanghai United Family Hospital involving a 35-year-old expat gentleman. After a blissful overseas trip, he returned with flu-like symptoms and fainted. Despite a negative blood test for dengue, next-generation sequencing on his pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart) revealed the culprit – dengue fever, which had led to acute myopericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding tissue) and pericardial tamponade (compression of the heart due to fluid buildup).

If you've recently traveled to a tropical region and start feeling unwell, don't dismiss it because IT MIGHT NOT JUST BE JET LAG! Keep an eye out for dengue's telltale signs.

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention promptly. Shanghai's cosmopolitan charm is matched by its top-tier healthcare facilities, ready to ensure your swift recovery.

In a city where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, let's stay vigilant, protect ourselves, and keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay. Safe travels, and here's to your health!

Upcoming Topics

In the next [Health Byte], we'll dive into the details of emergency cosmetic suturing services at local hospitals and share urgent measures you can take after accidents or injuries.

About the Author

Cai Wenjun is a seasoned health reporter with Shanghai Daily. With extensive experience covering the local medical system, hospitals, health officials and leading medical experts, Cai has reported on major pandemics including SARS, swine flu and COVID-19, as well as developments in the local health industry.