On the afternoon of December 11, 2025, 13-year-old Ranran (alias) came alone to the Dental Department of Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital for a minor tooth complaint. Her family had already coordinated with the dental team in advance.
Dr. Yang Kun examined her, reviewed her dental X-rays with her guardian's consent, and found nothing serious. After routine oral hygiene education, Ranran left the clinic.
But just after stepping out of the outpatient lobby, she suddenly felt intense palpitations and discomfort. She returned to the dental clinic and collapsed onto the sofa.
Ranran and her family thank the dental and multidisciplinary team with a banner reading, "Not family, yet closer than family."
A Sharp Eye and Immediate Action
Dr. Liu Fang, Director of the Dental Department, quickly noticed something was wrong. “The moment I felt her pulse, it was racing fast,” she recalled. “I felt tense too.”
Without hesitation, Dr. Liu called Ranran's mother again, obtained consent, registered the visit, and — together with head nurse Hu Yan and Dr. Yang Kun — escorted Ranran to the Cardiology Clinic.
Green-Channel Relay Across Four Departments
Faced with the emergency, the hospital activated its green channel. Dr. Zheng Ke, Director of Cardiology, examined Ranran and found no obvious cardiac abnormalities. After further discussion with the family, she ordered an ECG, echocardiogram, and blood tests for the next morning.
The next day, laboratory results showed that Ranran's creatine kinase-related markers were slightly elevated, but not enough to confirm a typical heart disease.
Acting with full responsibility for the child, the dental team connected Ranran with the cardiac surgery team. Upon learning of the situation, Director Yang Xueyong immediately arranged for Dr. Sun Bin to evaluate her and carefully review the results.
Dr. Sun Bin also concluded that the existing findings could not clearly identify a cardiac problem. He recommended referring Ranran to General Internal Medicine for a more holistic assessment.
The multidisciplinary team that cared for Ranran across dental, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and general medicine.
The Diagnosis: Body and Mind, Heard Together
Dr. Cui Shuhua, Director of General Internal Medicine, received Ranran. Facing an adolescent who was both anxious and confused, Dr. Cui drew on extensive clinical experience and genuine human compassion.
She did not stop at the lab report. Instead, she spent time talking in depth with Ranran, even skipping her lunch break to gently ask about school, daily life, and recent psychological stress.
After this careful physical and emotional review, Dr. Cui concluded that the sudden palpitations were most likely related to a temporary autonomic nervous system disturbance during adolescence, possibly compounded by psychological factors.
She reassured Ranran warmly and firmly: “Don't worry. It's not a serious problem.”
With the family's consent, Dr. Cui arranged intravenous treatment. Soon after, Ranran's discomfort eased and her emotions stabilized. What began as a dental-clinic heartbeat episode ended with a warm, reassuring conclusion.
More Than Care: Treating a Person, Not Just a Symptom
Throughout the episode, the care extended far beyond medicine. Dr. Yang Kun noticed Ranran had not eaten and bought her food. Nurse Yang Yanhong thoughtfully brought her warm water. These small gestures made Ranran and her family feel supported in a moment of uncertainty.
The next day, fully relieved, Ranran and her family brought a banner to the medical staff. It read:
“Skilled hands and a benevolent heart guard health and safety. Not family, yet closer than family.”
This banner carried more than gratitude. It was a tribute to the seamless multidisciplinary collaboration and patient-centered spirit of Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital.
For the medical staff, it reinforced a belief: the duty of a healer is not only to relieve pain with skill, but also to illuminate the anxiety in a patient's heart with sincere care.
About Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital
Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital is part of the United A&F Healthcare Group. Located at No. 308 Huilongguan East Street, Changping District, Beijing, it was approved by the Beijing Municipal Health Commission in 2013 and serves as a tertiary children's hospital for northern Beijing. It held JCI accreditation from July 18, 2020 to July 17, 2023, and is designated as a Beijing medical insurance institution and a referral hospital for critical neonatal rescue and transfer in the city.
The hospital has a floor area of nearly 40,000 square meters and approximately 300 beds. Its departments cover the full spectrum of pediatric medicine, with Hematology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, and General Internal Medicine as key strengths, complemented by Gastroenterology, Dental, Dermatology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Child Health Care, Preventive Health Care, Cardiology, Respiratory & Allergy, ENT, Emergency & Critical Care, Surgery, Ophthalmology, and more. The hospital's 800-square-meter central laboratory provides technical support and research infrastructure for clinical departments.
Guided by the mission of “Caring with heart for every precious child — providing timely, correct, and warm health protection,” the hospital is committed to professional diagnosis, quality service, and a comforting environment, striving to be a guardian of children's lives and health.
Comprehensive Pediatric Care, Coordinated Across Specialties
Beijing Jingdu Children's Hospital integrates multidisciplinary expertise to respond to complex and urgent pediatric needs. Our International Patient Center supports families before, during, and after their visit to Beijing.
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