My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1414 - 563: Let Your Kindness Be Sharp, Something Happened (Part 2)

Regardless of how the future unfolds, Zhou Can's successful postgraduate entrance examination is undeniably a monumental achievement. The ensuing task involves patiently awaiting the re-examination, which is scheduled to occur in approximately one month. It was 4:11 PM when Zhou Can, engrossed in an endoscopic appendectomy within the operating room, received a call from the Cardiothoracic Surgery department. Ma Xiaolan, now the dedicated circulating nurse for Zhou Can’s surgical team, typically relays any urgent communications. Zhou Can, for the sake of surgical safety, refrains from carrying his mobile phone during procedures. It wasn't until the completion of the appendectomy that Ma Xiaolan informed him, "Boss, Cardiothoracic Surgery just called. A post-operative patient is in critical condition, and they've requested your consultation." "Was the surgery performed at our hospital, or was the patient transferred from elsewhere?" Zhou Can's heart tightened. He had performed several highly complex and risky surgeries in recent days, and a chilling thought crossed his mind: could something have gone awry with one of those patients? He was confident in his technical proficiency and the robustness of his experience, yet he acknowledged that certain surgeries inherently carry substantial risks, making complications a possibility regardless of the surgeon. "They didn't specify, but judging by the nurse's urgent tone, I gathered it was a procedure done right here at our hospital," Ma Xiaolan replied. A shared understanding existed among them. A patient transferred from another institution receives care as a significant favor; any subsequent complications would hold less direct responsibility for Tuya Hospital, allowing the medical staff to focus on saving the patient without the same level of alarm. A surgery conducted within their own facility, however, presented a different scenario. Patient mortality or disability would inevitably cast a shadow of responsibility upon the hospital. Even with signed consent forms and anesthesia risk disclosures, which might absolve the hospital of legal compensation in the event of death, such outcomes invariably impacted the performance evaluations of the medical personnel, directly affecting the interests of doctors and nurses, hence their palpable anxiety. Zhou Can was unfamiliar with the evaluation protocols of smaller, ordinary hospitals, but he knew firsthand that Tuya's assessment standards were exceptionally stringent. He recalled an incident where a Neurosurgery doctor, renowned for his exceptional surgical skills and possessing a promising future at the young age of forty-one, experienced a streak of misfortune. Whether attributed to overzealousness or sheer bad luck, seven of his patients died within a single month. The Quality Control Department initially delegated the investigation to the Medical Department, but the gravity of the situation led to the doctor's surgical privileges being immediately revoked. His anticipated promotion to Vice Director of Neurosurgery was rescinded, and his name was removed from the list of candidates for team leadership. While the forensic investigation's findings were never publicly disclosed, the details were known to those directly involved and select hospital leaders. This once-brilliant surgeon was ultimately relegated to research and teaching, effectively ending his clinical career. Though his fate evoked lament and regret, it also underscored Tuya Hospital's unwavering commitment to medical safety. In lesser institutions, or even provincial-level top-tier hospitals akin to Tuya, a surgeon of such caliber would typically be granted considerable leeway, with minor surgical errors often overlooked or glossed over. Even significant missteps would likely be managed discreetly. The immense investment in cultivating exceptional surgeons—requiring talent, luck, financial resources, time, and tireless effort—compelled hospitals to protect their highly capable physicians. Therefore, if the patient in Cardiothoracic Surgery had been operated on by Zhou Can and were to succumb, it would undoubtedly have repercussions for him, and importantly, implicate Director Xue Yan. This was because all Level 4 surgeries were, in essence, credited under her name, performed with her nominal 'guidance.' ... After a brief greeting to Dr. Xu, he hastened towards Cardiothoracic Surgery. "Brother Can, please proceed to the ICU immediately. Director Xue and the others specifically instructed that you report there upon arrival," a nurse at the station informed him. The nurses typically addressed him as Dr. Zhou or affectionately as Brother Can, often engaging in brief pleasantries. This time, however, there was no room for casual conversation. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zhou Can and Director Xue Yan, the Cardiothoracic Surgery department now boasted remarkable cohesion. Both the doctors and nurses considered their tenure in this department an honor, fostering a profound sense of ownership in their work.

When a patient faces a crisis, all medical staff, doctors and nurses alike, will unite their efforts to save them if they possess the knowledge.

This is because every involved professional understands that a patient's demise carries substantial negative repercussions on the department's reputation and performance evaluations.

Zhou Can swiftly made his way to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

This particular ICU was essentially a self-contained facility within the Cardiothoracic Surgery department.

During a previous recruitment drive, the Third Hospital managed to attract two attending physicians and a head nurse away from this very unit.

Fortunately, Zhou Can maintained a strong rapport with Director Liu of the Intensive Care Medicine Department. Facing a dire situation, he didn't hesitate to shamelessly request assistance, thus ensuring the ICU could continue its operations without a hitch.

Sometimes, leveraging personal connections proves incredibly advantageous.

Zhou Can had previously sought Director Liu's help on two separate occasions for the ICUs of both the Cardiothoracic Surgery and Emergency departments.

Director Liu, far from being inconvenienced, seemed rather pleased by these requests.

Interpersonal dynamics can indeed be quite intriguing.

He likely interpreted Zhou Can's reliance on him during times of need as a sign of deep trust and closeness.

It is often said that relationships, if left unused and without regular interaction, tend to drift apart. Some even believe that favors have a limited lifespan, a notion that probably holds a kernel of truth.

Donning sterile attire, Zhou Can meticulously followed disinfection protocols before entering the patient care area of the ICU.

He immediately observed a cluster of doctors and nurses surrounding a specific bed.

Witnessing this scene, he instantly grasped that the patient in question was undergoing a critical, life-saving intervention.

"Sister Yan, my apologies for the delay. Could you please update me on the patient's current status?"

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Zhou Can offered a brief salutation to Xue Yan before directly addressing the medical emergency.

His eyes were already fixed on the patient undergoing resuscitation, and with each passing second, his heart grew heavier.

Indeed, what one dreads most has a way of becoming reality.

This particular patient was someone he had previously operated on.

The entirety of the left lung had been removed.

Given the patient's advanced age, the lung cancer had unfortunately spread throughout the entire left lung. A simple lobectomy or lymph node dissection would not have been sufficient to prevent the potential metastasis of cancer cells.

The insidious nature of cancer metastasis is truly remarkable.

Visible tumors are one thing, but the microscopic cancer cells, undetectable even by sophisticated medical equipment, pose the greatest threat.

These hidden cells can divide and proliferate unexpectedly, eventually forming new cancerous growths.

When metastasis is localized, complete surgical removal offers the best chance of success.

However, if the cancer has spread systemically throughout the body, the only recourse is often palliative care, advising the patient to savor their remaining time.

Only those doctors lacking in ethics would recommend continued treatment for patients with widespread metastasis, subjecting them to arduous procedures and financial ruin.

"The patient is experiencing significant respiratory distress, with alarmingly low blood oxygen levels. We discussed the possibility of ECMO support with the other directors, but due to the prohibitive cost, the family has not yet consented."

Director Xue Yan stated, her voice laced with concern.

The initial setup for an ECMO machine costs approximately seventy thousand, with daily operational expenses ranging from ten to twenty thousand, not to mention additional medication and treatment fees. These figures are indeed beyond the reach of many ordinary families.

While life is considered invaluable, the harsh reality in medical treatment is that a lack of financial resources often dictates the outcome.

For the average person, earning ten thousand a month is considered a substantial income. Yet, in a hospital setting, this amount might not even cover half a day's treatment. Major surgeries or the use of advanced technologies like ECMO predictably incur astronomical costs.

Some wisely suggest that investing in one's health is the most crucial investment.

This sentiment rings true, for without health, wealth becomes utterly meaningless.