In the twelfth lunar month of Jiangnan, spring arrives, and cold‑resistant blossoms unfurl their fresh buds. On the afternoon of January 13, 2024, the Neurocritical Care Rehabilitation Forum, hosted by Nanjing Zijin Hospital, was held as scheduled in Halls A and B of the Nanjing Grand Metropark Hotel. The forum served as a sub‑forum for both the inaugural meeting of the Rehabilitation Branch of the Jiangsu Provincial Association of Privately Operated Medical Institutions and the First Jiangsu Provincial Rehabilitation Academic Conference.

　　Ge Jiangping, representing Nanjing Zijin Hospital, addressed the forum on behalf of the institution. She began by extending the warmest welcome and heartfelt gratitude to all attendees. She noted that, as Nanjing’s first tertiary‑level rehabilitation hospital, Nanjing Zijin Hospital has undergone 37 years of development—starting with the establishment of its predecessor, the Naval Cerebrovascular Disease Rehabilitation Center, in 1987; evolving into Nanjing Zijin Hospital in 1993; and, in recent years, attaining tertiary‑level status and achieving CARF international accreditation. Throughout this journey, the hospital has consistently prioritized the care of critically ill patients, many of whom are neurocritical cases. Over the years, the hospital has come to recognize that neurocritical rehabilitation is a comprehensive and complex systems‑based endeavor, requiring patients to receive holistic support across medical, rehabilitative, and psychological domains. In its ongoing work, the hospital has steadfastly placed patient needs at the forefront. This forum, centered on the theme “Pursuing Excellence Through Diligent Practice, Upholding Fundamentals While Innovating,” aims to rekindle enthusiasm for the cause of neurocritical rehabilitation, deepen academic exchange, and advance both research and clinical practice in this field.

　　Next, under the chairmanship of Gao Zhiqiang, Executive Vice President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, and Wang Lei, Director of the Department of Rehabilitation at Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the experts proceeded with a series of substantive presentations in accordance with the conference agenda.

　　Li Jian’an, an International Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, provided a detailed overview of nutritional support for critically ill patients with rehabilitation needs, covering seven key aspects. He repeatedly emphasized that nutrition is the foundation of life.

　　Bi Sheng, Chairman of the Rehabilitation Medicine Professional Committee of the China Association of Private Medical Institutions, repeatedly emphasized in his presentation on “Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and Rehabilitation” the importance of early mobilization and activity for ICU patients, underscoring that preserving and restoring patients’ quality of life is a critical outcome measure in treatment.

　　Huang Yingzi, Executive Dean of the Zhongda Hospital affiliated with Southeast University, presented “Early Rehabilitation for Critically Ill Patients: No Empty Theories,” using numerous real-life cases she has encountered to underscore the critical importance of early rehabilitation.

　　Under the introductions of Cao Peilian, deputy director of Zhangjiagang Gangcheng Rehabilitation Hospital, and Wang Changbao, assistant to the president of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, Zuo Xiangrong, deputy director of the Department of Critical Care Medicine at Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, and Lu Xiao, deputy director of the Rehabilitation Medicine Center at the same hospital, delivered compelling presentations on “Prevention and Rehabilitation of Respiratory Muscle Weakness in Patients on Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation” and “Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients with Disorders of Consciousness,” respectively. In addition, Director Lu Xiao demonstrated specific techniques for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation via video, enabling attendees to acquire practical skills and gain significant insights right at the conference.

　　Liu Yafeng, Assistant to the President of Nanjing Zijin Hospital, presented an overview of the development trajectory of the Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale, its comparative analysis with other scales, and its practical applications. As he initially raised, the question is how to project a “Chinese” voice on the international stage—perhaps even one that leads by a significant margin. He expressed his hope that Chinese researchers would develop their own standardized tools in the field of consciousness disorders, and that the Nanjing Consciousness Recovery Scale could be further integrated into clinical practice.

　　Drawing on the hospital’s many years of experience in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Director Pan Xingming of Ward 102 at Nanjing Zijin Hospital presented “The Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined with Audio‑Visual‑Electrical Treatment in Critical Care Rehabilitation.”

　　Through the Neurocritical Care Rehabilitation Forum, participants share practical experiences, exchange the latest research findings, and collaboratively explore future directions in the field of rehabilitation.

　　The seven presentations at this Neurocritical Care Forum each lasted 30 minutes; despite the limited time, the engaging and insightful lectures left all attendees feeling that their attendance was well worth it.

　　Finally, we also extend our highest respect to all rehabilitation specialists and healthcare professionals who have devoted themselves silently to the cause of critical care rehabilitation.

Highlights of the Conference

　　At the inaugural meeting of the Rehabilitation Branch of the Jiangsu Provincial Association of Privately-Run Medical Institutions and the First Jiangsu Provincial Rehabilitation Academic Conference, Nanjing Zijin Hospital not only hosted the Neurocritical Care Rehabilitation Sub‑Forum but also reaped significant rewards. President Ge Jiangping was elected Vice President of the Rehabilitation Branch, the hospital was designated as a Vice‑President Unit of the branch, and Directors Gao Hongliang and Gao Jirong were appointed as members of the Executive Committee.

　　Nanjing Zijin Hospital will take the establishment of the Rehabilitation Branch as an opportunity to further enhance its rehabilitation medicine diagnosis and treatment standards and service capabilities, thereby contributing the strength of the Zijin team to advancing the high-quality development of rehabilitation medical services in Jiangsu Province.