On June 18, an online meeting with the theme of “Xiangya-Yale Nursing Exchange: Learning from COVID-19” was held at the Telemedicine Center of Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Experts from Xiangya Hospital and the Third Xiangya Hospital were invited to have a dialogue with experts from the Yale School of Nursing, Yale New Haven Health, Yale School of Medicine and Yale-China Association, to discuss matters related to COVID-19, such as clinical care, nursing management, healthcare-associated infection control, occupational protection, and nurses’ mental health.

The online meeting was chaired by Professor Li Xuejun, Director of the Office for International Cooperation and Exchange (OICE) of Xiangya Hospital, and Dr. Zhu Junya, Director of Health Programs of the Yale-China Association. Participants included Professor Lei Guanghua, President of Xiangya Hospital, Professor Yue Liqing, Director of Nursing Department, Associate Professor Li Li, nursing leader of the third medial team aiding Hubei Province and Vice Director of Nursing Department, Vice Director Long Chang of OICE, Supervisor Head Nurses Professor Yuan Su’e, Associate Professor Zhou Jianhui, and Associate Professor Cao Lan, Senior Nurse Xiong Yang, Head Nurse of Pediatrics Department, Senior Nurse Zeng Qiaomiao of the Oncology Department, and Professor Liu Jia, Head Nurse of the Transplantation Department of Third Xiangya Hospital.

In his speech, President Lei Guanghua praised the Xiangya nursing team for their outstanding performance in the fight against COVID-19, and particularly highlighted the important role of professional nurses in providing care for the critically-ill patients. He said that Xiangya Hospital will strengthen cooperation with other countries and share its anti-epidemic experience with international counterparts to contribute to the global battle against COVID-19.

Professor Ann Kurth, Dean of Yale School of Nursing, introduced their work in online education, tele-health, and palliative care during the pandemic. Dr. Beth P. Beckman, Chief Nursing Executive of Yale New Haven Health, made a presentation about innovating nursing solutions for the COVID-19 pandemic in several aspects, including keeping health care workers safe, providing high quality care, changing the environment of wards, and the use of technology and equipment in various ways.

Professor Yue Liqing gave an overview of nursing management, strategies for preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the hospital, and a normalized plan for prevention and control in a general hospital during the epidemic. Associate Professor Li Li shared the experience of the third medical team aiding Hubei Province, which once worked efficiently for 55 days under great pressure and challenge.

In the Q&A session, all the participants had an in-depth discussion on how to ensure the physical and mental health of frontline medical workers, the supply and use of protective equipment, and the management of interns.