Did the Secondary Hospital have the tools? The materials? These were all questions he had no answer to.
Zheng Ren stopped in his tracks and signalled for Xie Yiren to wait. He was making a call.
"Director Zhang, it's Zheng Ren.
"Yes, I forgot to ask, does your hospital have the required equipment and materials for the surgery?
"Oh, sure. I'll help myself to them."
With that, Zheng Ren ended the call.
"So?" Xie Yiren asked, a questioning look on her face.
"They have the essentials, but worry about suitability. I'm welcomed to bring my own. Director Zhang is responsible for purchasing, so he will deal with the payment," Zheng Ren explained to Xie Yiren as he made another call.
"Manager Feng, I need 10 sets of TIPS procedure material tomorrow.
"Yes, we'll be performing the procedures in the Secondary Hospital.
"Sorry for not notifying you earlier. It escaped my mind.
"Alright, see you tomorrow at 8:00 a.m, the emergency department building entrance."
Zheng Ren hung up and let out a sigh. Planning was definitely not his strong suit.
"Good luck tomorrow!" Xie Yiren pumped her fist. The action combined with her encouragement struck him to his core. How could a person be that cute?
They parted ways with their usual wave, but after today's intimacy, there was a different feeling in the air.
Chapter 384 - Changfeng Is My Choice
Zheng Ren and Xie Yiren arrived at Sea City General Hospital early the next morning.
At 7:55 a.m, Professor Rudolf Wagner walked into the emergency wards like clockwork.
Zheng Ren greeted the professor and Old Chief Physician Pan before heading downstairs.
A black BMW X5 was parked in front of the emergency department entrance.
The idle engine hummed audibly. At the sight of Zheng Ren, Feng Xuhui immediately stood from his leaning position and moved to open the car door.
Zheng Ren was unaware of the trouble Feng Xuhui had to go through to obtain the materials.
As the Northeastern factory was new, they had limited stock on hand: less than five units per model. Changfeng Microinvasive was not overly ambitious to think they could monopolize the whole Northeastern market.
When Feng Xuhui received Zheng Ren's call the night before, he nearly fainted.
The Northeastern branch of Changfeng Microinvasive did not have that many TIPS materials on hand.
However, Chairman Ma did not hesitate to utilize resources to courier 20 units of TIPS materials from Imperial Capital to Sea City. In addition, he had the foresight to order more to replenish Imperial Capital's TIPS materials.
Imperial Capital was a six-hour drive to Sea City.
At 4:00 a.m, the salesperson from Imperial Capital arrived at Sea City. Feng Xuhui breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the TIPS materials.
The salesperson left the BMW X5 to Feng Xuhui. Chairman Ma provided the car, and it was to be used to service clients in the Northeastern district.
Feng Xuhui was grateful for the amount of support Chairman Ma was extending to him.
Delivering breakfast to Zheng Ren was no longer something Feng Xuhui did, hence there was little chance to build rapport with the young doctor.
Fulfilling Zheng Ren's last minute request was the least he could do.
After all, Zheng Ren had helped his career.
Feng Xuhui was their ride to the Secondary Hospital.
Zheng Ren sat quietly in the passenger seat. Feng Xuhui began contemplating the next best step.
His benefactor was here. He could not not make conversation.
Chief Zheng was a hard man to interact with. No matter what Feng Xuhui said, he only got monosyllabic responses from the man.
In the end, Professor Rudolf Wagner who contributed to most of the conversations from the back seat; his heavy Northeastern accent was a source of amus.e.m.e.nt for Feng Xuhui.
Zheng Ren received a call from Director Zhang. Over the call, he asked if they were allowed to visit the patients before the surgery.
Permission was granted.
It was courtesy for surgeons to have a look at the patient prior to the procedure.
However, fly-in surgeons often circ.u.mvented this step as they wanted to squeeze in as many patients as they could in a day. Money was a strong motivating factor.
The patient was usually already on the operating table when the surgeon touched down at the airport.
This had nothing to do with ethics. Typically, only Class Three Grade A Hospitals could hire fly-in surgeons from Imperial Capital or Sorcery Capital, and the quality of service was enforced. The basic preparations would be done beforehand and the surgeon would have reviewed the patient's scans and charts. If they were not confident, the surgery would be cancelled.
There were always simpler procedures that needed the surgeon's attention. Death was not to be toyed with.
Of course, there were downsides to being a fly-in surgeon.
In the 2000s, an orthopedic fly-in surgeon went to Shijiazhuang for a case.
The patient had a simple fracture, but due to his old age, the bone could not heal completely. Without any warning, the family sent people to Imperial Capital to break the surgeon's leg1.
To Zheng Ren, it was essential that he had a look at the patients before any procedures.
Although the Secondary Hospital was only 18.4km away from Sea City General Hospital, they were separate entities; it was best to minimize any chance of mistakes.
Caution was a habit that Zheng Ren had long cultivated.
It did not take long for them to arrive despite the peak hour traffic.
Traffic in Sea City was nothing compared to Imperial Capital, Sorcery Capital, or Provincial Capital.
The Infectious Disease Secondary Hospital was located slightly off the beaten path. After a 25-minute journey, Feng Xuhui drove up to the hospital lobby entrance.
There were a dozen or so doctors in white coats at the ready at the entrance. It was, without a doubt, to welcome Zheng Ren.
Feng Xuhui was surprised to see the size of the welcoming party.
These were professionals and senior management personnel.
Professor Rudolf Wagner, however, was not the least bit surprised.
He had been to many hospitals to perform surgical demonstrations and…their welcoming parties were definitely grander than this.
When the car stopped, the plump man who had delivered the scans to Imperial Capital rushed up to the passenger side and opened the door for Zheng Ren.
"Chief Zheng, you came."
The fearful sincerity on the plump man's face almost made Zheng Ren laugh out loud.
It must be uncomfortable for a man in his 40s to treat a young doctor like Zheng Ren with reverence.
"Of course. Thank you for all this," Zheng Ren said.
"Oh, it is a small matter. When I came back to the hospital, I detailed your emergency rescue yesterday to our resident cardiothoracic department chief. He says your diagnosis and rescue techniques were accurate and worthy of praise," the man said with a broad smile.
The compliment had little effect on Zheng Ren's deadpan expression, so the plump man changed tack and kept his mouth shut.
"Chief Zheng, we meet again," Director Zhang led the cavalry of doctors to greet Zheng Ren. They shook hands.
"Thank you for all this, Director Zhang." Zheng Ren smiled and continued. "From the records, the patients fit the criteria; this helps reduce the chance of failure."
"For once, I worry our equipment may not be up to par to a fly-in surgeon's standards."
"I have Changfeng's equipment and materials with me. This man here is the Northeastern District Manager from Changfeng Microinvasive, Feng Xuhui," Zheng Ren introduced and clapped Feng Xuhui on the shoulder.
The proclamations made Feng Xuhui grateful to have Zheng Ren on his side.
Director Zhang acknowledged Feng Xuhui without extending a handshake.
Feng Xuhui did not take it personally. The man was the deputy director of the hospital and was many levels above Feng Xuhui's pay grade. Even if Director Zhang spat at him, he would have to maintain a courteous demeanor.
Next came the introductions to the chief of each department. Zheng Ren shook hands with all of them.
The hepatology department chief was amicable, but the interventional surgery department chief had a bone to pick with Zheng Ren.
The tension was tangible, but Zheng Ren ignored it. He made an effort to learn the department chief's name.
Cheng Lixue: the name resembled the Chinese proverb--to stand in the snow, respectfully waiting upon your master.
Judging from the department chief's expression, he was holding in his anger. If it were not for Professor Rudolf Wagner backing Zheng Ren, the department chief would have made a scene.
'The professor's a useful prop to boost our reputation,' Zheng Ren thought.
Director Zhang led them to the patients.
The first patient suffered from refractory ascites. This morning's routine check-up indicated the patient was in a favorable condition. This patient's diagnosis was less severe than the one Zheng Ren faced in Sea City General Hospital.
With Zheng Ren's go ahead, doctors transported the patient to the operating room as Zheng Ren and the team moved on to check on the next candidate.
After the eighth patient, Zheng Ren developed a deeper understanding of Director Zhang's selection criteria.
All the candidates suffered from refractory ascites and this minimized the risk of hematemesis during surgery.
It was a good call by Director Zhang. Zheng Ren was pleasantly impressed. Author's note: This is a story from a Beijing surgeon who performed a surgery on my grandpa ten years ago. - Author
Chapter 385 - The Troubles That Come With The Younger Generation
When Zheng Ren entered the operating room, the first patient was ready for the procedure.
Feng Xuhui wheeled a silver suitcase into the control room.
An assortment of surgical equipment and materials for the TIPS procedure was in the case.
Zheng Ren studied the operating room. The facilities in the Secondary Hospital interventional operating room were older than the ones in the hybrid operating room in Sea City General Hospital. The cost of replacing a double C-arm machine was beyond what the Secondary Hospital could afford.
It would have to do.
At least it was better than the usual gastrointestinal imaging machine.
Zheng Ren pinned the patient's scan to the viewer in the operating room and studied it with his arms folded. He visualized the process in his mind, from start to end.
In the operating room, the professor was busy fussing over the instruments while Zheng Ren studied the scan. The observers in the control room were silent.
The interventional surgery department chief, Cheng Lixue, pursed his lips. "He thinks he's a bigshot just because he has a foreigner in tow."
Feng Xuhui, who was standing in the corner of the room, smirked.
'This is the guy who dies within three episodes in dramas. He didn't even read up on who that foreigner acting as Chief Zheng's assistant is,' Feng Xuhui thought.
Director Zhang responded to the department chief's comment. "What we want is a successful TIPS surgery. This will be a major milestone in the history of the Secondary Hospital. Department Chief Cheng, please learn from them. I hope to see one of our own successfully perform a TIPS surgery in the future."
Cheng Lixue held back any further comments. He did not want to overstep and offend the deputy director.
Although Cheng Lixue and Director Zhang were once doctors of the same rank, the man was now the deputy director of the hospital! He could easily make life a living hell for Cheng Lixue.
The department chief knew better than to provoke the sleeping lion when his hands were tied.
Recently the hospital administration board decided to make some organizational changes. The interventional department was split into two, with the deputy chief taking some of the manpower away.
Who would be happy with a split department? It meant the department chief's authority was slashed by half.
The change meant everyone had to buck up and work harder to increase their department's surgery volume. With his department cut in half, Cheng Lixue would have a hard time presenting a satisfactory report at the end of year.
Meanwhile, the vultures were circling him. A stagnant surgery volume could spell a career death.
This change was the root cause of Cheng Lixue's misery. Those free and easy days were long gone for the interventional department chief.
Now, Director Zhang invited a young chief resident from Sea City General Hospital to perform a TIPS surgery! The interventional department deputy chief was in Provincial Capital, learning the TIPS procedure.
The arrival of the young chief resident was good news for Cheng Lixue, but he doubted the chief resident's abilities. The TIPS procedure was one of the hardest procedures. Cheng Lixue did not believe Sea City General Hospital had them outclassed by this much.
When it came to hepatic disorder treatments, whether it be interventional or general surgery, the Secondary Hospital had always outranked Sea City General Hospital.
They were a specialized hospital after all.
Director Zhang must have been blinded. Cheng Lixue cursed internally but he maintained a calm composure and kept his criticisms to himself.
"Director Ren is rushing back from Provincial Capital as we speak. We only have one goal. Old Cheng, you need to see the big picture," Director Zhang lectured.
'Big picture, my *ss!' Cheng Lixue swore in his mind.
An emergency department chief resident of this age could perform a TIPS procedure?
If the man could really perform the procedure without major complications, Department Chief Cheng would be fearful of the younger generation.
He had a few younger subordinates in his department, including the deputy chief and some attending surgeons. They had always shown him adequate respect, but he wondered if they had ever spoken badly of him to Director Ren.
Cheng Lixue had managed his department for a good 20 years. He did not expect to be ordered to relinquish half of it before he entered retirement.
It was all bullsh*t!
Cheng Lixue was only a department chief who could not contribute to the hospital's vision. Hence, all his anger was directed at Zheng Ren, as if the chief resident was here to personally sabotage his career.
Professor Rudolf Wagner completed the disinfection process and began the cannulation.
Zheng Ren went to put on his lead apron and began scrubbing in.
"Director Zhang, the foreigner will be doing the surgery right?" Cheng Lixue asked as he watched Professor Rudolf insert the guide wire into the cannula.
"No. I've witnessed it with my own eyes in the general hospital; that foreign professor is just Chief Zheng's assistant."
Cheng Lixue made a sound of disapproval.
'He took the foreign professor as an assistant? Does this guy have a low IQ or low EQ?' Cheng Lixue thought.
The local professors in Provincial Capital had trouble getting foreign professors to do as they say, what more in Sea City General Hospital.
The plump man who delivered the scans to Sea City General Hospital knew why Cheng Lixue was in a bad mood. He spoke up in support of the deputy director's words. "Chief Zheng is a remarkable surgeon. While I was sending over the scans, there was an emergency patient suffering from a cardiac tamponade."
Director Zhang's interest was piqued. "And?"
"I saw Chief Zheng perform an emergency pericardiotomy to relieve the pressure. He did an open heart massage to restart the patient's heart. There were blood splatters all over the room, even the ceiling," the plump man said with a look of admiration.
"And the patient?"
"His heartbeat was restored and he was immediately sent to the operating room."
"Emerg
ency rescue vastly differs from TIPS surgery," Department Chief Cheng pointed out.
"Old Cheng," Director Zhang warned.
They were old friends, so Director Zhang did not say more. The invitation was extended to Zheng Ren with Director Ren's approval. Cheng Lixue had to accept the circ.u.mstances.
Director Zhang felt the department chief was being juvenile.
Cheng Lixue frowned. Then, he turned and left.
He walked to the changing room and grabbed his phone.
He would not be surprised if the foreign professor played a major role in the TIPS procedure. However, a successful TIPS surgery was still a win for Zheng Ren, and that did not sit well with Cheng Lixue.
As for the emergency rescue, it was unlikely the foreign professor could assist in such procedures.
Cheng Lixue had to confirm the authenticity of the story. He dialed a number on his phone.
He did not believe a procedure like a pericardiotomy and open-heart massage were effective in saving lives.
These procedures had a slim chance of success… The young chief resident was too ballsy.
As he pondered the necessity of such emergency procedures, his call was picked up.
Cheng Lixue greeted, "Old Qian, this is Old Cheng."
"Oh, what's going on, Old Cheng?" the other speaker asked.
Cheng Lixue had called up the ICU Chief in Sea City General Hospital.
"I heard from a colleague of mine that your hospital had a patient with cardiac tamponade yesterday?"
"Yes, we had. Did the attacker's family reach out to you to get information? Tell them to not worry; the patient just left the ICU," Department Chief Qian said with a chuckle.
'See, the patient died. What's there to boast now? A pericardiotomy followed by an open-heart massage was a suicidal rescue plan,' Cheng Lixue thought.
"I see. I will convey the death to the family so they can mentally prepare."
"Death? No one died, Old Cheng. You misunderstood; the patient was discharged from the ICU. The emergency rescue and follow-up surgery was successful. He's stable now.""
Cheng Lixue froze.
A cardiac tamponade patient was stable the second day after surgery?
What…
The Surgeon's Studio c1-799 Page 181