The Enhanced Doctor
Chapter 60 - 060 Is there a bottom line?

Chapter 60: 060 Is there a bottom line?

"Shoutian, come out. We’ve got an emergency case coming in; you’ll lead it," Chen Jianxin called out from the hallway.

Upon hearing this, Liu Banxia and Liang Xiaolin rushed out of the treatment room. Emergency cases were always given priority in the emergency department.

After five minutes, the ambulance stopped outside the waiting hall. Paramedics pushed a gurney in from outside, rushing.

"Male patient, time of unconsciousness unknown, intubated at the scene. Blood pressure 80/115, heart rate 140. Suspected parking brake failure; the car rolled and crushed him," a paramedic quickly reported.

"Into Resuscitation Room One. Were any sedatives used on-site?" Liu Banxia asked.

"None. His blood pressure dropped to 50 on the way here and then came back up," the paramedic replied.

"This is bad. Prepare the bed. One, two, three, lift! Liang Xiaolin, auscultate," Liu Banxia ordered.

Liang Xiaolin picked up the stethoscope and listened to the patient’s chest. "No spontaneous breathing. Continued bag-valve mask ventilation needed."

"Pupils dilated, no corneal reflex. Liang Xiaolin, what should we do?" Liu Banxia’s voice dropped.

The resuscitation room fell silent, as everyone understood what the symptoms he had just described signified.

"Ah... I... I..." Upon hearing Liu Banxia’s question, Liang Xiaolin was so nervous she didn’t know how to respond.

"Dr. Chen, based on the patient’s current symptoms, I suspect a major intracranial hemorrhage. I suggest we perform a CT scan first, then... put the patient on a ventilator and wait for the family," Liu Banxia said.

DING! Triage completed. Gained 100 experience points. Diagnosis skill proficiency increased by 120 points.

Chen Jianxin nodded in agreement.

"Are... are we not going to try to save him?" Liang Xiaolin asked softly.

"Even if we did, there isn’t much we can do at this point. Liu Banxia, explain it to her," Chen Jianxin said.

"The sudden drop and subsequent rise in the patient’s blood pressure on the way here might have been caused by increased intracranial pressure after being hit by the car. Come with me; let’s take him for a CT scan," Liu Banxia said.

His mood was somber. This patient reminded him of the pregnant woman he had tried to save before.

Moreover, this patient was young and, judging by his clothes, probably had a decent income. Yet, he had encountered such a tragedy in the prime of his life.

"Dr. Liu, if it’s a cerebral hemorrhage, can’t we consult a neurosurgeon?" Liang Xiaolin asked, slightly hesitant.

Liu Banxia shook his head. "If it were a rupture of small blood vessels, there might be a chance to save him. But these vital signs indicate massive hemorrhaging. Plus, we don’t know exactly when the accident happened; the delay could have been too long."

After reviewing the CT results, Liu Banxia sighed inwardly. The situation was even worse than he had estimated; there was widespread intracranial bleeding.

"What should we do next?" Liang Xiaolin asked hesitantly.

"Put him on a ventilator and perform the final neurological tests. Then... let the patient’s family decide," Liu Banxia said, frowning.

"Oh," Liang Xiaolin replied, looking dejected.

"Don’t dwell on it too much. This is the nature of our work in the hospital. If you let it weigh on your mind, it’ll affect how you treat other patients," Liu Banxia advised.

"That pregnant woman’s case last time really affected me. One night, when I was on duty, another pregnant woman who had been in a car accident came in, and I didn’t dare to treat her. Right, that was when patient Tang Hongbing was here, and I was pinching his blood vessel. I ran into you in the operating room corridor that time."

Liang Xiaolin bit her lip. Even if you’re trying to comfort me, do you really need to be so detailed?

After connecting the patient to the ventilator and repeating the neurological tests, there were no further interventions possible. The only thing they could do was maintain his current condition so his family could see him one last time.

"By the way, what connections do you have in the hospital? You’re even able to study under Chief Director Li," Liu Banxia asked.

"None of your business," Liang Xiaolin retorted, giving him a look.

"Heh heh, I just figure the connection must be really strong. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to pull strings or anything, just curious," Liu Banxia said with a grin.

"Why can’t you ever focus on serious matters? This is a hospital, not a place for you to stir up trouble. You say you want to stay on, yet you keep causing it," Liang Xiaolin scolded.

Liu Banxia grimaced. He genuinely didn’t know where this tirade was coming from. Was she talking about him clashing with Chen Hongyang and Director Qin? That really wasn’t his fault.

"Where are you two going?"

Just as he returned to the emergency department, he saw Qi Wentai leading the patient with the slightly swollen index finger toward the corridor connecting to the main building.

"This patient is under my care now. The infection is highly invasive, and you left him unattended. I’ve already contacted Orthopedics. We’re going to perform a biopsy first, then determine the subsequent treatment plan," Qi Wentai said coolly.

Hearing his words, Liu Banxia felt anger flare up inside him, and he desperately wanted to punch Qi Wentai in the face. But he could only suppress his rage and nodded stiffly.

"I thought you were going to punch him. If you had, you could have kissed your job at the Second Hospital goodbye," Liang Xiaolin said, finally letting out a breath of relief as Qi Wentai and the others walked away.

"I really wanted to punch him! How can they bully someone so blatantly? Do they have no shame? I’m going to ask Dr. Chen what happened," Liu Banxia exclaimed, then rushed off toward the emergency department office.

"Shoutian, sorry about that. Another patient came in, and while I was helping with them, I couldn’t keep an eye on your situation. The nurse came to inform us just as Director Qin and his team were returning," Chen Jianxin explained.

"Sigh... I figured as much. Dr. Chen, I... sigh..."

Liu Banxia had wanted to complain, but this incident truly wasn’t Chen Jianxin’s fault. Transferring the patient to Orthopedics was a normal procedure; if the infection was too aggressive, amputation of the finger might be necessary.

But he was truly unwilling to accept it. To be bullied so openly—this was too much.

Wang Chao patted his shoulder. "Shoutian, don’t get so worked up. He’s not the only patient we have."

"I know, I just can’t stomach this," Liu Banxia said with a bitter smile.

"It really is too much bullying," Liang Xiaolin chimed in, sympathizing.

This was clearly targeting Liu Banxia. There was absolutely no need for Qi Wentai to take over this patient.

"Dr. Liang, why don’t we head over to Orthopedics and check things out?" Liu Banxia suggested, looking at Liang Xiaolin.

Liang Xiaolin glared at him. She knew perfectly well this guy wanted to use her again. But what could he possibly use her for in this situation? Once they were in Orthopedics, they’d have to defer to the orthopedic surgeons. Going there would just make them spectators.

"He was our patient first, right? We’re just showing concern for him, that’s our top priority," Liu Banxia pressed.

Liang Xiaolin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, but you can only observe. No arguing with anyone again."

Her main concern was that Liu Banxia might cause more trouble and drag her into it. However, to Chen Jianxin and Wang Chao, her words seemed to imply something different.

"Dr. Chen—"

"Go on then. Listen to Dr. Liang, and don’t cause any trouble," Chen Jianxin interjected with a smile before Liu Banxia could finish.