Since 2013, the Department of Nephrology at the Lingang Campus of Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital has been offering peritoneal dialysis services, gradually building a standardized follow-up team for patients undergoing dialysis. This team not only performs dialysis-related surgeries and manages various complications but also maintains a comprehensive follow-up system and robust quality control standards, ensuring patients receive thorough, high-quality care.

In spring 2019, Mr. Ji, a 39-year-old diabetic man with severe complications—including blindness, pleural effusion, lung infection, and diabetic foot with gangrene—was admitted to the Department of Nephrology at the Lingang Campus. His blood creatinine level was alarmingly high at 790 umol/L, and his condition was critical. Deputy Director Guo Yongping led a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in orthopedics, endocrinology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology, and respiratory medicine to devise an all-encompassing treatment plan. The team initiated hemodialysis, limb preservation therapies, and anti-infection treatments. After several hospitalizations, Mr. Ji’s anemia improved, the infection was controlled, and the ulcers on his legs began to heal. Once stabilized, he transitioned to home-based peritoneal dialysis, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and allowing for monthly follow-ups at the dialysis clinic.

In alignment with the national push for community-based healthcare, the Lingang Campus launched Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital-Lingang Medical Alliance. In September 2023, the first community peritoneal dialysis outpatient clinic opened at the Nicheng Community Health Service Center. This clinic offers specialized peritoneal dialysis follow-up, dispenses necessary medications and dialysis fluids, and facilitates medical insurance settlement services for local patients.

Deputy Director Guo Yongping at the Peritoneal Dialysis Clinic, Nicheng Community Health Service Center

Mr. Ji shared how this initiative greatly improved access to care, as he was able to receive follow-up treatment at the Nicheng Community Health Center without having to travel far. In mid-October 2024, during a routine clinic visit, Mr. Ji’s father complained of chest tightness and cold sweats—symptoms that suggested a possible heart attack. Dr. Wang Wencheng at the Nicheng Community Health Center immediately performed an ECG, which raised concerns about potential heart issues. Mr. Ji’s father was promptly transferred via the Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital-Lingang Medical Alliance green channel to the Lingang Campus, where he underwent coronary stent surgery without delay.

The successful treatment of Mr. Ji highlights the advanced peritoneal dialysis capabilities of Lingang Campus and underscores the hospital’s commitment to building a close-knit medical alliance. As this medical network continues to grow, more patients will benefit from the hospital’s cutting-edge technology and comprehensive healthcare services.