Edited by Andie (Xi Yue)

Mr. Zhao (not his real name) at the age of nearly 60, developed cancer 5 years ago. He stayed optimistic and received treatment proactively. His recovery was smooth. But more than a month ago, he had a sudden onset of severe cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. He was received at an emergency room of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), affiliated with Zhejiang University School of Medicine. His CT image revealed large areas of infection with consolidation in both lungs, which cannot maintain a normal blood oxygen level. After the consultation between Dr. Shao Yanling, Chief Physician, and Dr. Xu Hangdi, Deputy Chief Physician, at the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the patient was identified as critically ill and admitted to ICU in time.

Dr. Zhou Jiancang, Chief Physician at the ICU wards meticulously reviewed Mr. Zhao’s condition.

He found that the patient was fragile and weak due to the long-term suffering from the malignant tumor and immunosuppression resulting from radiotherapy. The patient’s life was in jeopardy as his oxygen saturation and blood pressure could not be sustained because of the severe pneumonia and septic shock.

Through effective anti-infective therapy and comprehensive nutritional support after quickly identifying the pathogen, Mr. Zhao’s condition became stable. It is the comprehensive treatment plan that makes for this ideal result. What is noteworthy is the lifting hangers mounted at the ICU wards on the 9^th floor, Tower 6 at SRRSH, which played a unique role during the whole treatment.

In the early stage, the lifting hander helped Mr. Zhao move into the prone ventilation, reducing the area of consolidation timely. During the therapy, it helped the patient turn over on the bed to prevent pressure sores. Meanwhile, it is also favorable for sputum excretion and airway clearing. With such a device, patients with poor physical strength can have access to an appropriate amount of exercise with a quicker recovery.

As Mr. Zhao’s condition improved, he was weaned from the ventilator and returned to the ward at the Respiratory Department. According to the patient, he felt much better and more comfortable breathing on his own when assisted by the lifting hanger to sit up. He then grew more confident to exercise, improving his respiratory function. After careful treatment, he was discharged happily accompanied by his family.

The lifting hanger is specially adapted to ICU wards. All the inpatient single wards on the 9^th floor, Tower 6 at SRRSH are equipped with the devices. They can ensure patients’ safety at any angle, improve their coordination, and speed up the recovery of their physical functions. The maximum weight for lifting is 300 kilograms.

They are generally used for 3 kinds of patients. The first is patients with critical respiratory diseases. The device can help improve pulmonary functions by ameliorating pulmonary ventilation and V/Q ratio and promoting sputum excretion. The second is patients suffering from nerve injury (stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy). The hanging lifter assists patients in carrying out gait training and bedside exercises to relieve muscle cramps. Therefore their indications can be improved to move to general wards. The third is long-term hospitalized feeble patients. The use of the equipment can facilitate patients’ turning over for the prevention of complications including hypostatic pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis, muscle atrophy, and pressure sores.