"Boss, have you received the notice too? You're not involved, are you?" Seeing Shi Lei waiting for her nearby, Liu Banxia asked worriedly.
Shi Lei patted her shoulder. "It's okay, just be sincere. Someone from the hospital administration will probably be there. Don't worry, I'll be with you."
Hearing Shi Lei's words, Liu Banxia felt considerably more at ease.
When they arrived at the small conference room on the 8th floor of the main building, Liu Banxia was genuinely frightened by the lineup of people inside.
Sitting in the middle was Zhou Zhiyong, the Vice Dean in charge of research and teaching at the Second Hospital. Three people sat beside him: one was Qin Hai, whom she recognized; another was Director Zhou, whom she had just parted from; and the last, a middle-aged man wearing glasses, was a stranger to her.
Why has this big shot come? Liu Banxia wondered. Could Old Qin have set me up? After all, my residency is part of the hospital's training program. Director Zhou Shuwen is also here. Are they planning to deal with me today?
Director Qin spoke up, "Chief Director Zhou, everyone is here. Shall I briefly explain the situation?"
Zhou Zhiyong smiled and nodded. "Go ahead, Old Qin."
"First, let me be clear: I hold no personal opinion of Liu Banxia. I am merely discussing the facts of the matter." As soon as Qin Hai began speaking, he took the moral high ground.
"Liu Banxia's rescue of the fetus in the patient's abdomen today is praiseworthy and deserves affirmation. However, just as a nation has its laws and a family its rules, our Second Hospital also has its own management regulations, established to prevent dangerous situations like this from occurring."
"Liu Banxia decided to perform a cesarean section on the patient without an attending physician present. Even though the outcome was good, we must consider the potentially severe consequences."
"If every resident in our Second Hospital were as audacious as her, what would become of our institution? How many medical disputes would arise in the future? Therefore, I recommend suspending Liu Banxia's license to practice medicine."
With that, Qin Hai glanced sideways at Liu Banxia.
Shi Lei frowned deeply. He now understood that Qin Hai was determined to destroy Liu Banxia. If the Second Hospital actually disciplined Liu Banxia, it would be recorded in her permanent file. What hospital would dare to hire her afterward? Wouldn't her entire career be ruined?
Just as he was about to stand up and speak on Liu Banxia's behalf, she grabbed his arm. Liu Banxia slowly rose to her feet. Her movement drew everyone's attention.
"Leaders, I fully accept Director Qin's criticism. And here, I wish to conduct a thorough self-criticism," Liu Banxia said slowly.
Qin Hai frowned. This isn't how I expected things to go, he thought. Under normal circumstances, Liu Banxia should have been defending herself, giving me another opportunity to press my attack.
The reason I invited Zhou Zhiyong over wasn't just because he's the vice dean in charge of training, Qin Hai mused. More importantly, it's because he's Zhou Shuwen's uncle. Liu Banxia is a resident in general surgery; even if Zhou Shuwen wanted to shield her, his uncle, in his position, could not. Inevitably, Liu Banxia would be forced out.
"Actually, that wasn't my only mistake today. I also made a critical error while attending to patient Liu Liyou," Liu Banxia continued.
A faint smile touched Zhou Shuwen's lips upon hearing her words. Qin Hai's brows, however, furrowed tightly; he had a bad feeling.
"When I first saw patient Liu Liyou, I was misled by symptoms suggesting liver cirrhosis. After Qi Wentai, a second-year resident, took over his care, I failed to promptly review the lab reports. This nearly led to a serious incident and could have caused significant losses for the hospital," Liu Banxia said with utmost sincerity.
"Chief Director Zhou..." Qin Hai couldn't stay seated.
"Director Qin, I want to thank you," Liu Banxia cut him off directly.
"If Director Qin hadn't decisively transferred patient Liu Liyou to Qi Wentai's care, my own ingrained thought process might have persisted, potentially costing Liu Liyou his life."
"Director Zhou, my medical career may be ending soon, but I venture to ask: have Liu Liyou's test results come back yet? Is his iron deposition severe? Is it genetic or acquired?"
Zhou Shuwen put down his teacup. "Your assessment at the time was very accurate. Patient Liu Liyou's iron deposition indeed became critical after the ascites drainage. Without your timely intervention, Liu Liyou would most likely have died during the procedure. Tests revealed that the iron had predominantly accumulated in his heart, forming granular blood clots."
"His iron deposition is genetic. Since this incident, not only has his relationship with his son significantly improved, but Liu Liyou also feels he owes you his life."
After saying this, Zhou Shuwen picked up his water glass and continued drinking.
Qin Hai felt stifled. I didn't expect Liu Banxia to deflect the main issue so skillfully, even managing to involve Qi Wentai.
"Liu Banxia, I reviewed your work record," the middle-aged man with glasses said with a smile. "I noticed you've spent considerably more time in the emergency department than other residents. And for a patient today with a sprained ankle, you ordered an enhanced abdominal CT?"
"Sir, it's just that I'm rather slow, so I have to build a solid foundation," Liu Banxia said earnestly. "I'm still far from being capable of performing surgeries independently. Therefore, I must make the most of my limited time by gaining practical experience and learning diligently on site."
"The patient's name is Wang Mingxing. Considering his jaundice, recent rapid weight loss, and his mother's history of breast cancer, I made that assessment. I suspected a standard CT scan might not detect the issue and would thus be a waste of resources."
"I do have some regrets now. As Director Qin advised, I should have considered it more thoroughly; then, this misunderstanding about overtreatment wouldn't have occurred. For that, I must thank Director Qin once again."
Qin Hai's face turned a furious, blotchy red. This Liu Banxia is an absolute scoundrel, he fumed internally, always finding ways to subtly undermine me! But with Zhou Zhiyong present, he couldn't voice his objections. The way things developed today had gone off track from the very beginning; something wasn't right.
"Leaders, Liu Banxia is the resident I supervise." At this point, Shi Lei also stood up.
"In the seven months and thirteen days I have been working with her, I can attest to the quality of her work. Our Second Hospital operates on a system of accountability. She is the resident I supervise. I request to receive the same disciplinary action as Liu Banxia. I must take responsibility for the resident under my supervision."
Zhou Shuwen shot him a sharp look, but Shi Lei remained unfazed. This is what I truly believe, Shi Lei thought. Qin Hai is bullying her too much.
Liu Banxia was deeply moved by Shi Lei's straightforward and staunch defense; it was something she hadn't expected.
"Shi Lei, we are currently discussing the relevant rules and regulations of the Second Hospital. Our focus is not on the punishment itself," Qin Hai said gravely.
I have to steer this conversation back on course, he thought, or I'll be the one losing face today.
"Liu Banxia, do you have anything to say about today's incident?" Zhou Zhiyong asked, glancing at her impassively.
"Sir, I accept the punishment, but I have no regrets," Liu Banxia said softly.
"I've heard the gossip—that I was trying to show off, that I just wanted to perform a C-section. But at that moment, all I could think about was that tiny life. I may not become a great doctor, but I must live up to the white coat I wear."
Hearing Liu Banxia's words, Zhou Shuwen looked at her with approval. That is the heart of the matter, Zhou Shuwen mused. Saving the child offered a chance, however slim; not intervening meant certain death. When faced with life and death, can one afford to be rigidly bound by so many rules and regulations?
"Assistant Sun, what are your thoughts on this?" Zhou Zhiyong asked the middle-aged man with glasses after a brief silence.
Sun Changhe adjusted his glasses. Zhou Zhiyong is passing this difficult decision to me, he thought. I suppose I should do him a favor. He then said, "Director Qin's initial intentions were good, and that's something we need to learn from. However, I believe we should assess matters on a case-by-case basis. Considering the circumstances at the time, Liu Banxia's actions were appropriate."
Hearing this, Liu Banxia finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.