High-dependency units play a key role in the treatment of a Chinese military patient who developed liver failure while abroad

Abstract

High-dependency units (HDUs) provide high-level care to patients who suffer from single organ failure, with the exception of respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation; HDUs serve as an intermediary between general wards and Intensive Care Units. Due to military and civilian needs, our hospital has established a unique HDU for patients with liver disease in China. A Chinese military officer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces in South Sudan was transferred to our HDU for liver failure treatment in 2018. The patient’s disease status, nutrition, sleep habits, and psychological behaviour were monitored on different scales. The patient was provided with vascular monitoring, telemetry, pulse oximetry, drug treatment, nutritional support, sleep intervention, psychological intervention, and humanistic care by a multidisciplinary treatment team. After treatment, the patient recovered and avoided liver transplantation. Based on the experience with this HDU, this new model may create an efficient treatment process for military and civilian patients with severe liver disease at home or abroad.