China's Top Departments: Respiratory Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University

If you're facing a complex respiratory condition — severe COPD, difficult-to-treat asthma, lung cancer requiring precise diagnosis, or a critical respiratory illness — the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University is the leading center in Northwest China. Established in 1976 as a separate specialty from General Internal Medicine, it has grown into a National Clinical Key Specialty and the largest respiratory medicine, education, and research base in Northwest China.

The department is a National Ministry of Health Endoscopy Training Base and a Shaanxi Provincial Advantage Medical Specialty. With nearly 100 medical, nursing, and technical staff members and over 40,000 bronchoscopy procedures completed since 1976 — the highest volume in Northwest China — it is the referral destination for the most challenging respiratory cases in the region.

At Medora, we've helped international patients navigate this department for conditions ranging from complex lung cancer to interventional airway procedures. Here's what you need to know.

Hospital Overview

Milestones

Meet the Experts

Team composition: 6 Professors, 5 Associate Professors, 17 Attending & Resident Physicians, 3 Doctoral Supervisors, 9 Master's Supervisors. 57% of physicians hold doctoral degrees, and 89% hold master's degrees.

Core Clinical Strengths

1. Respiratory Intensive Care (RICU) — #1 in Northwest China

The department features a state-of-the-art Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU) with top-tier equipment. The success rate for rescuing critically ill patients with ARDS, cor pulmonale, severe respiratory/cardiac failure, severe pneumonia, massive hemoptysis, and multiple organ failure ranks #1 in Northwest China.

2. Bronchoscopy & Interventional Therapy — Nationally Leading

Over 40,000 bronchoscopy procedures completed since 1976 — the highest volume in Northwest China. Over 1,000 bronchoscopic interventional treatments including:

• Bronchial lavage for refractory pulmonary infections
• Microwave, laser, and argon plasma coagulation for airway tumors and stenosis
• Tracheal stent placement for central airway obstruction
• Bronchoscopic interventional therapy for central airway stenosis is at a nationally leading level

3. Pleural Disease Management — Nationally Advanced

• Over 4,000 pleural biopsies performed
• Nearly 300 medical thoracoscopy procedures
• Pleural disease diagnosis and treatment at nationally advanced level

4. COPD & Asthma Care — Internationally Aligned

• Internationally aligned treatment protocols; participated in global multi-center clinical studies on asthma and COPD
• Established Shaanxi Province's first "Asthma Home", "COPD Patient Club", and "Chronic Respiratory Disease Clinic"
• Over 10,000 follow-up visits annually

5. Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Substantial experience in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), with high regional influence and numerous successfully treated critical cases.

6. Specialty Clinics

• Smoking Cessation Clinic — first in Northwest China
• Multi-disciplinary Lung Cancer Clinic
• Specialty clinics for asthma, COPD, lung tumors, sleep disorders, interstitial lung disease, and pleural diseases

Research Achievements

• 14 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grants (including 1 key project)
• Ministry of Science and Technology international cooperation project
• Total research funding: over 13 million RMB
• 7 scientific awards including National Science & Technology Progress 2nd Prize
• 90 SCI papers, 300+ research papers
• 10+ academic monographs
• 52 multi-center clinical drug studies

What International Patients Should Know

Language & Support

The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University is a major medical center serving Northwest China and Central Asian patients. For respiratory and critical care medicine — where precise communication about breathing symptoms, treatment history, and medication response is critical — we strongly recommend working with a bilingual medical coordinator who can ensure nothing is lost in translation.

Appointment Process

• Appointments can be made through the hospital website, WeChat official account, or through a medical coordinator
• Emergency: The RICU provides 24/7 critical care for respiratory emergencies
• Subspecialty Clinics: Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer, Sleep Disorders, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pleural Diseases, Smoking Cessation
• For complex respiratory cases, the typical timeline from initial consultation to treatment plan is 1–2 weeks

Cost Estimates

Respiratory medicine consultations and treatments are generally accessible. Here are general ranges:

These are estimates. Actual costs depend on diagnostic complexity, procedures required, and length of hospitalization.

Getting There

• Outpatient Clinic: Respiratory Medicine Clinic, Rear Hall of Outpatient Building, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University
• Inpatient Ward: 9th Floor (Wards A & B), 2nd Floor (RICU), Inpatient Building
• Phone: +86-29-85323850 (9A) / +86-29-85323855 (9B) / +86-29-85324103 (RICU)
• Xi'an is a major transportation hub in Northwest China with direct international flights from Central Asian countries

How Medora Can Help

Respiratory and critical care medicine often involves urgent diagnoses and complex procedures. Medora ensures you're connected with the right team and fully supported throughout:

• Expert Department Matching: We confirm that this department is the right fit for your specific condition — whether it's COPD, asthma, lung cancer, complex pleural disease, or a respiratory emergency
• Subspecialty Alignment: The department has distinct teams for critical care, interventional therapy, lung cancer, pleural diseases, and more. We match you with the team that handles your exact condition
• Medical Record Preparation: Respiratory consultations require detailed imaging (CT, X-ray), pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy reports, and prior treatment history. We help you organize and translate everything so the team can review your case efficiently before you arrive
• Appointment Coordination: We handle scheduling directly with the department, ensuring your consultation is with the appropriate subspecialty expert
• Certified Medical Translation: Respiratory discussions involve complex imaging findings, pulmonary function values, and treatment plans. Our medical translators ensure you understand every detail
• End-to-End Journey Support: From airport pickup in Xi'an to hotel arrangement near the hospital, interpreter presence during consultations, and follow-up coordination, we manage logistics so you can focus on recovery

Plan Your Visit

• Appointments: Hospital website, WeChat official account, or through medical coordinator
• Emergency: RICU provides 24/7 critical respiratory care
• Subspecialty Clinics: Asthma, COPD, Lung Cancer, Sleep Disorders, Interstitial Lung Disease, Pleural Diseases, Smoking Cessation
• Outpatient: Respiratory Medicine Clinic, Rear Hall of Outpatient Building
• Inpatient: 9th Floor (Wards A & B), 2nd Floor (RICU), Inpatient Building
• Phone: +86-29-85323850 (9A) / +86-29-85323855 (9B) / +86-29-85324103 (RICU)

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Ready to explore respiratory treatment options at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University? Contact Medora for a free, personalized consultation. We'll review your respiratory condition and imaging, connect you with the right subspecialty expert, and coordinate your entire journey — from medical record translation to post-treatment follow-up.