A Lifesaving Rescue Across Clinic and Hospital
During a business trip to Shanghai, Mr. A, an American business professional, suddenly experienced acute abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting during the flight. As someone who was generally in good health, he initially assumed it was a minor stomach issue or gastroenteritis. Although the vomiting has gradually subsided, his appetite has remained poor.
Four days later, with the pain persisting, Mr. A sought care at Parkway Shanghai Clinic, intending to receive a quick treatment before continuing his journey to Shenzhen. Upon examination, our General Practitioner, Dr. Victoria King, identified a significantly concerning body condition: the elevated infection and inflammation markers in his blood tests, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count, combined with his ongoing abdominal pain, have indicated a potentially serious condition. Recognizing the urgency, Dr. King immediately activated Parkway’s seamless “clinic-to-hospital” emergency referral pathway, transferring Mr. A to Parkway Shanghai Hospital for comprehensive evaluation and urgent medical intervention.
A Race Against Time Had Begun —
Critical Emergency Care: A “Care as One” Approach Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Rapid Response: The clinic simultaneously transmitted Mr. A's medical records to the hospital, enabling Dr. Eva Wu, Director of the Internal Medicine Center, Dr. Li Lei, Chief Physician of Gastroenterology, and the ICU medical team to be on standby well in advance of his arrival — ensuring that treatment could be commenced promptly as the patient arrived.
Precise Diagnosis: Upon arrival, a comprehensive panel of blood tests and imaging examinations was immediately conducted. An abdominal CT scan swiftly confirmed a diagnosis of acute necrotizing pancreatitis with surrounding inflammatory exudation and encapsulated fluid collection along the greater curvature of the stomach. Our surgical and urology teams were also involved to rule out other potential causes of acute abdomen, including gallstones and gastric perforation.
Critical Care and Monitoring: The patient with acute necrotizing pancreatitis had already developed systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multi-organ impairment, underscoring the severity of the condition and the importance of timely intervention. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) team led advanced circulatory and organ support, continuously monitoring hemodynamic parameters and maintaining precise fluid balance. The Hospital President, Dr. Wan Lijun, coordinated a joint consultation between internal medicine and ICU specialists and transferred Mr. A, with critical health conditions, to the ICU to ensure the highest level of monitoring and optimal treatment.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration (MDT): Specialists from gastroenterology, intensive care, surgery, nutrition, and radiology worked together to develop a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan, ensuring close coordination and seamless communication throughout every stage of the patient’s care journey.
The Deadly Threat of Pancreatitis: How Dangerous Is “Self-Digestion” by Pancreatic Enzymes?
Although small in size, the pancreas plays a vital role as both the body’s “digestive powerhouse” and the “blood sugar regulator.” When inflammation occurs, pancreatic enzymes become dangerously unregulated, breaking down the pancreas itself and the surrounding tissues – triggering septic shock and multi-organ failure, with mortality rates in severe cases reaching up to 30%.
Warning Signs Observed in Mr. A:
Persistent upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, progressively worsening
A sharp spike in blood inflammation markers (C-reactive protein and white blood cell count)
CT findings indicating pancreatic necrosis, surrounding inflammatory exudation, and encapsulated fluid collections
Parkway's " Three Critical Gateways " in Saving a Life
1. Intensive Care: Stabilizing the Patient’s Condition
The ICU team conducted around-the-clock hemodynamic monitoring, precisely managing fluid balance while simultaneously administering targeted anti-infection treatment.
Early Enteral Nutrition: To prevent intestinal failure, ICU physician Dr. Zhuang Ping and anesthesiologist Dr. Xiang Jinhui collaborated closely, with Dr. Li Lei, in performing an endoscopy-guided Naso jejunal feeding tube insertion to protect the integrity of the gastrointestinal barrier and reduce the risk of complications.
Minimally Invasive Infection Control (MDT): As the patient developed a persistent high fever due to infection of necrotic pancreatic tissue, Dr. Zhao Jie and the ICU team performed a CT-guided percutaneous drainage of peripancreatic abscesses, rapidly controlling the systemic inflammatory response.
2. Critical Nursing Care
Pain Management: The nursing team conducted daily pain assessments and adjusted analgesic protocols, accordingly, ensuring Mr. A remained as comfortable as possible throughout his recovery.
Gastrointestinal Monitoring: Bowel sounds, gas passage, and bowel movements were closely tracked to prevent intestinal paralysis.
Psychological Support: Nurses provided ongoing emotional support to ease anxiety, helping the patient adapt to the ICU environment and strengthen confidence in his recovery.
3. Comprehensive Recovery Support
Proactive Monitoring System: During hospitalization, the patient experienced transient hypoglycemia and tachycardia. Dr. Wuh Yihua from Endocrinology and Dr. Gu Ye from Cardiology promptly joined multidisciplinary ward rounds and case discussions, implementing continuous glucose monitoring and extended dynamic ECG monitoring.
Progressive Nutritional Roadmap: Dietitian Zhang Li reviewed and adjusted Mr. A's nutritional plan on a daily basis, carefully transitioning him from enteral nutrition to a clear liquid diet, and ultimately to a low-fat semi-liquid diet, in minimizing the risk of further pancreatic injury.
Zero Tolerance for Blood Clots: The rehabilitation and nursing teams guided the patient with bedside mobilization, combined with low-molecular-weight heparin anticoagulation. Throughout his entire hospital stay, not a single incidence of deep vein thrombosis occurred.
A Cross-Border Healthcare Ecosystem: Boundless Protection from Emergency Treatment to Follow-Up
Seamless Referrals: Shared electronic medical records between the clinic and hospital, further ensuring a fully integrated care pathway without a single moment of delay.
International Care Coordination: The International Medical Department at Parkway Shanghai Hospital worked closely with the patient’s U.S.-based healthcare provider, Kaiser Permanente, along with overseas support teams, to ensure continuity of personalized follow-up care after the patient returned to the United States.
Long-Term Monitoring: A coordinated and structured follow-up plan, incorporating both ultrasound and CT imaging, was established across both China and the United States, enabling continuous monitoring of the patient’s pancreatic recovery.
After two weeks of treatment, the patient’s abdominal pain and fever had completely resolved. By the third week, the abdominal drainage tube was successfully removed, and in the fourth week, the Naso jejunal feeding tube was also removed, allowing the patient to transition to a low-fat semi-liquid diet. Follow-up CT scans showed significant resolution of abdominal fluid collections, and inflammatory markers returned to normal levels.
Upon discharge, Parkway Shanghai Hospital provided the patient with comprehensive bilingual (Chinese and English) recovery guidelines and securely transferred his medical records to a partner hospital in the United States, ensuring a smooth transition for ongoing care.
Doctor’s Warning: Are Your Habits Putting Your Pancreas at Risk?
Mr. A’s experience is far from unique. Common causes of pancreatitis include:
Overeating, particularly diets high in fat and protein
Untreated gallstones (approximately 50% of pancreatitis cases in China are linked to biliary tract diseases)
Excessive alcohol consumption, which directly damages pancreatic cells
Hypertriglyceridemia, where elevated blood lipids impair pancreatic microcirculation
Key Prevention Tips:
Maintain a balanced diet and limit high-fat intake, especially during large or indulgent meals.
Schedule regular health check-ups, with attention to biliary health and blood lipid levels.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience persistent upper abdominal pain accompanied by fever. Do not dismiss it as a minor stomach issue and push through the discomfort.
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