Such working conditions were not changing within the foreseeable future.
Although there were more students enrolling into medicine due to universities expanding their admissions, in recent years, the number of students taking the final exam was declining. It would be lucky if 70% of them even chose to work in the clinical field after graduation.
The hospital working environment was quite toxic, which was why most of them dropped out halfway despite the seemingly healthy prospects.
If they chose to stay, most would choose to work in a department with lower risks such as oral surgery and oncology.
Since all the departments were understaffed, it was taboo among department chiefs to request a transfer.
However, Zheng Ren also knew that Old Chief Physician Pan was unafraid of anyone in Sea City General Hospital.
The man who fought Director Fu for Zheng Ren's transfer could not be cowed by any department chief.
After a few back and forths, Old Chief Physician Pan won the battle with ease.
The old chief was not angered by the fight he had just had, beaming as he put down the phone.
Zheng Ren stared blankly at Old Chief Physician Pan, confused.
"The newcomers will report for duty first thing tomorrow morning. You'll be switching to the flexible shift for second-liners," Old Chief Physician Pan said.
He had clearly been planning this all along.
Taking a flexible shift as a second-liner would mean that he would not need to stay in the hospital all year round.
Although this was not the usual procedure for a chief resident, Sea City General Hospital was not well-equipped enough to apply standard rules.
There were already insufficient staff on duty. It would be a joke if they wanted to follow the protocols of a large-scale hospital.
Especially in a place like the emergency department.
Zheng Ren laughed wholeheartedly.
"Go and check the wards. Keep an eye on a few post-surgery patients, especially the one with fall injuries. Even though her condition has stabilized, you should still be cautious," Old Chief Physician Pan reminded him.
Zheng Ren obeyed the man's orders and left. He could not wait to tell Xie Yiren about the flexible second-liner shift and texted her on his way to the ward.
When he reached it, Professor Rudolf Wagner was already snoring loudly.
Suddenly, Zheng Ren felt relieved that he had had to work the night shift yesterday. Otherwise, he would have had a sleepless night.
Chang Yue was still busy handling the post-surgery paperwork of seven to eight patients. The amount of doc.u.mentation required could make any one doctor go crazy.
Paperwork was just part of the procedure. She still needed to change wound dressings, convey doctor's orders and communicate with patients' families. Especially for the latter, a doctor would need clinical experience to prevent any misunderstandings during their explanation.
Zheng Ren trusted in Chang Yue's abilities.
Chapter 294 - The Heavy Smell of Creamed Corn (Part 2 of 4)
Su Yun was not in the emergency department ward. Word was that he had gone to the ICU to check on the post-surgery patients.
It was languid again. Zheng Ren yawned; he remembered that the on-call room was already taken by a sleeping Professor Rudolph.
After some thought, he headed to the operating wing.
Although he did not have a surgery scheduled, the operating room was the most peaceful place to Zheng Ren.
He took a quick shower and put on a surgical gown, greeting the matron on his way to the men's duty room1.
Zheng Ren slept fitfully and, before he realized it, it was already 3:30 p.m.
The operating room was still as silent as when he had fallen asleep. He got up and said goodbye to the matron before heading back to the emergency department.
According to Chang Yue, the professor had long since returned to Shangri-La Hotel to rest. He seemed to disapprove of the working hours, muttering something about inhumane working conditions.
Humane? A brick like Zheng Ren knew no such thing.
He brushed Professor Rudolph Wagner's reaction aside.
Looking through the doc.u.ments for last night's patients, he noted that Chang Yue had completed all the necessary paperwork.
Old Chief Physician Pan had allowed Yang Lei to take some time off from the hospital; Yang Lei had taken over Zheng Ren's responsibilities as chief resident while Zheng Ren was away in Imperial Capital, and was now back home, spending time with his wife.
Zheng Ren watched the evening sun set on the horizon and smiled.
On his way to visit the patient with fall injuries in the ICU, he texted Xie Yiren.
She had just woken from her nap and was watching TV.
He gave her a summary of his ward round and told her the patients would likely no longer require 24-hour surveillance soon.
Xie Yiren was not fully clear on the situation but smiled as Zheng Ren delivered his update.
The call continued for a while further before Zheng Ren hung up. He had arrived at the ICU.
He pocketed his phone and changed into a clean set of clothes before entering.
Su Yun was ringed by nurses, talking animatedly.
There was a heavy smell of creamed corn in the air.
It was the peculiar smell of platelets, which Zheng Ren was familiar with.
Platelet transfusions were a rare form of treatment.
Availability was an issue, so whenever a patient required a platelet transfusion, their doctor could only hope for the best. Hence, the scent in the ICU brought relief to Zheng Ren.
As Zheng Ren entered, Su Yun gently clapped his hands together and set aside his pen and paper, standing to greet Zheng Ren. "You've rested?"
"Yes." Zheng Ren approached the patient from yesterday night's surgery.
"Their blood pressure has stabilized. There were signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation post-surgery, so we gave the patient 4 doses of platelets and 2 doses of fibrinogen. Initial urine output was 20ml, but after hydration, it's up to 60ml now," Su Yun said.
"So everything's fine?"
Su Yun had a c.o.c.ky smile on his face. "Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't be this relaxed."
There was a hint of fatigue in his expression that did not escape Zheng Ren's eyes.
"Did you sleep over in the ward?" Zheng Ren had thought Su Yun would rest at home or take some girl on a date.
"Of course." Su Yun blew at his fringe.
"I see. It's good that the patient's stable." The System display on the upper right corner of Zheng Ren's vision glowed a faint red, an improvement from yesterday's deep crimson.
The danger was not over yet, but things were not immediately critical.
With such severe injuries, only a miracle would allow the patient to recover within 24 hours of surgery.
If all went well in the next few days, they would be able to remove the breathing tube—the first step towards recovery.
The next would be moving from the ICU to the orthopedic department to immobilize the fractures. Only when that was done would Zheng Ren ask the patient if she wanted to treat her adenomyosis.
He had a few doubts about that surgery.
To date, the most effective treatment for adenomyosis remained a hysterectomy.
However, it also spelled the end of a woman's childbearing days, which could be of great impact to someone so young.
He would have to wait and see.
The System had given him seven days to do whatever he had to to complete the mission.
Zheng Ren shook his head and left the room.
Su Yun followed him out. The eyes of the ICU nurses clung to the handsome figure as he retreated from view.
"There may be two new staff reporting in tomorrow," Zheng Ren said.
"Okay. That's a relief," Su Yun commented.
They both knew Old Chief Physician Pan had been trying his best to increase staff numbers in the emergency departm
ent. However, due to the friction between him and Fu Guangshi, his request was never granted.
Now that Fu Guangshi had resigned, such problems were a thing of the past.
They left the ICU and headed straight for the emergency department.
Instead of the wards, Zheng Ren went to the observation unit.
There was a sea of waiting patients. A brief scan through the crowd gave Zheng Ren the information he wanted. Most of the patients would be assigned to internal medicine; it was the cold season and the flu was running rampant.
If an elderly person was not careful, they had a high chance of coming down with a fever, respiratory infection or cardiopulmonary problem.
The surgical department had it easier during periods like this.
One of the on-call doctors was cleaning a cut on a juvenile patient. The child's wails echoed through the entire corridor.
Such was life in the emergency department. Zheng Ren gave the patients a once-over. Satisfied that there were no misdiagnoses, he turned to leave.
At that moment, three women walked out from one of the branching hallways.
Night had fallen and the lights in the emergency department corridor were not the brightest.
Under the subdued lighting, the three figures, lightly dressed for the winter, moved with an elegance that matched their slender builds.
They were stunning, especially against a backdrop of pale, sickly patients and anxious families. Eyes were drawn to them as they sauntered along the corridor.
Many patients seemed to momentarily forget their pain.
"Oh, would you look at that," Su Yun cooed.
Zheng Ren did not turn around but could picture Su Yun's eyes lighting up. If that womanizer had not been in a doctor's coat, he would probably have wolf-whistled.
The three women were admittedly quite attractive, especially the one in the middle. Her facial features and figure stood out among the others.
Was she here to address an illness? No, it did not look like it.
Zheng Ren was curious and let his gaze follow them.
A moment later, his jaw dropped as his eyes zoomed in on the woman in the center, the prettiest among the three.
Su Yun noticed Zheng Ren's faltering steps and odd expression as he approached Zheng Ren, following his gaze and grinning.
"Boss Zheng, you can't be that weak," Su Yun joked.
Zheng Ren remained silent, ignoring the man's remark.
"I know we men tend to have wandering eyes but I advise you to focus on Yiren. She's a rare catch."
Seconds passed with no response, so Su Yun gave Zheng Ren a push on the shoulder. "Hey! What are you thinking?"
"What?" Zheng Ren seemed to regain his senses.
"What's up with you?" Su Yun was starting to suspect that there had to be more than met the eye. There had to be another reason Zheng Ren was staring at the woman.
"The doctors are busy. Why don't you check on them?" Zheng Ren said casually.
Su Yun's awareness was heightened.
A long time ago, there had been an undiagnosed female patient in the emergency treatment room displaying odd symptoms. It was Zheng Ren who had urged her to get checked out, which revealed endometriosis...
Could these women have some odd condition?
Su Yun frowned as he studied the three, paying particular attention to the one in the middle.
"Where are the doctors?" They passed Zheng Ren and Su Yun; the woman on the right noticed the latter and whistled.
However, she did not stop walking. There were more important things at hand than flirting with a pretty boy.
Su Yun shrugged. Such were the hardsh.i.p.s of someone so good-looking.
The three women stopped at the entrance to emergency surgery but saw no one inside. The woman on the right made an inquiry.
Her voice was raspy, but it was hard to tell if it was natural or born of a smoking habit.
It was alluring, for sure.
"Go on then," Zheng Ren urged Su Yun again.
There must be something wrong. Succ.u.mbing to his curiosity, Su Yun trudged over to the women.
"May I know which of you needs a doctor?" It is believed that the author miswrote 'operating room'.
Chapter 295 - Drag Queen (Part 3 of 4)
None of them answered Su Yun's question.
Was it a private matter?
Zheng Ren's bizarre reaction spurred Su Yun's curiosity further.
Despite the possibility of a trap, he observed the women up close for any telltale signs of medical conditions.
Aside from their extraordinary good looks, there was nothing of note.
After a minute of silence, he tried asking again, "Which one of you is sick? And where is the discomfort?"
They gave no reply, instead exchanging odd glances with each other.
Su Yun was experienced at reading women but was stumped this time around, unable to decipher what they were communicating through their furtive looks.
Was it a gynecological issue?
Damn you, Zheng Ren. Su Yun cursed under his breath.
The standard procedure in the emergency department was to consult the relevant specialties for specialized illnesses.
The emergency center was a chaotic place. There was always a risk of a drunkard crashing into the examination room, so it was best for the pertinent examination to be done in the gynecology department.
"Is it a gynecological disorder?," Su Yun asked with a dashing smile, amping his charm as hard as he could. "Why don't you girls head over to the gynecological department? Just follow the arrows on the floor."
As the words left his mouth, he felt the temperature in the room drop.
Had he said something wrong? Was the woman pregnant and in need of an abortion? Su Yun's mind went through all manner of possibilities.
Maybe they had been overenthusiastic in the bedroom and gotten a beer bottle stuck in their nether regions? Such a thing would certainly warrant a trip to the emergency department.
It was not an uncommon occurrence.
Maria Hospital had had a patient who checked in with multiple golf balls in them a few years ago. The youth these days were quite out of control.
The only limit was one's imagination.
Su Yun was not judgmental but would prefer if they were more cautious. Risk of injury was not worth the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.
However, judging from the reactions he was getting, he was mistaken.
What was going on?
The woman in the center, with the prettiest features and most attractive figure, said nothing and frowned.
Half a minute passed before she said abashedly, "Doctor…"
Her voice was hoarse in a way that reminded Su Yun of Anita Mui.
"Yes? You're the one who needs medical attention?" His nosiness surfaced.
"I… I… accidentally hurt my bottom," the woman stuttered.
A small smile appeared on Su Yun's face. He was right; it had been a shameful incident. All he had to do was bring them to the gynecology department. "What happened, then?"
"I… My t.e.s.t.i.c.l.e.s hurt," the 'woman' said in embarrassment.
Carried away by his victory, Su Yun did not register the patient's words. "Remember to be gentler next time. Was it too rough? Or maybe the position was uncomfortable? Just pay attention in the future. I'll take you to the gynecology department."
It was probably post-coital pain. Su Yun chuckled at the woman's straightforwardness.
"Doctor, I said my t.e.s.t.i.c.l.e.s hurt." Realizing the doctor had clearly misunderstood, the 'woman' gathered their courage and said, "I am a man and I said my t.e.s.t.i.c.l.e.s hurt."
What a whiplash!
Su Yun looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
His mop of black hair flopped lifelessly before sticking to his forehead.
He had to have heard wrong.
What did she say? Maybe he needed a hearing test.
"You—What did you say just now? Can— Can you repe
at it?" Su Yun managed.
The 'woman' met Su Yun's gaze and said meekly, "Doctor, I am a man… and my t.e.s.t.i.c.l.e.s hurt."
Su Yun was stunned into silence.
A drag queen?
He had encountered a few in his life but none this realistic.
Despite his experience with women, Su Yun was not able to pick up on subtle differences.
"Doctor, can you take a look?" As the cat was out of the bag, the drag queen was no longer timid with his words.
His mannerisms retained the feminine coyness that tugged at the heartstrings of men.
Su Yun felt his worldview shift.
What was he witnessing here?
The hospital setting compelled Su Yun to hold onto his rational mind.
He turned away to not have to face the group. Whether the drag queen's companions were actually women or not, Su Yun did not deign to find out.
Damn it! Tricked by that damned Zheng Ren again!
Su Yun managed to maneuver his fingers to operate the workstation, retrieving the patient's name from the registration ticket and typing up a simple patient history. Then, he scheduled a B-scan ultrasound and gave the patient the necessary instructions.
Once the trio were gone, Su Yun breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good job." Zheng Ren walked over and gave him a thumbs-up. "I was stunned when I noticed. I'd probably be useless in your shoes."
A string of curses ran through Su Yun's mind when he saw Zheng Ren.
"Chief Resident Zheng, why are you here?" The on-call doctor who had been tending to the child's injury greeted them as he returned to the clinic.
"Ah, I came down to check on the floor. Internal medicine seems overburdened compared to surgery," Zheng Ren replied.
"In the dead of winter, there are fewer drunken brawls and drunk drivers. Just the occasional minor injury. I heard yesterday was a hectic night for you guys upstairs," the doctor said.
Zheng Ren rarely spoke to the other doctors but seemed to be in a talkative mood today as he regaled the surgeries of the previous night. "Oh, yesterday…"
Su Yun sat on one of the chairs, zoning out into the distance.
Some time had passed when Zheng Ren snapped him out of his daydream. "Come on, let's go."
"You!" Su Yun grabbed Zheng Ren's arm. "How did you know?"
The Surgeon's Studio c1-799 Page 141
