Chapter 987: Chapter 987: A Difficult Choice

(Thanks to book friends 151103113640028, 20190905121024631, and Yang for voting encouragement)

Working in a hospital, you’re bound to encounter some acquaintances who want a little favor. This is unavoidable, it’s a society of human relationships, not pure fairness.

For example, when you visit a doctor, you might ask a friend to recommend a good doctor, or maybe it’s hard to get an appointment with a famous doctor during work hours and you need an extra slot during off-hours.

Or when it comes to hospital bed arrangements, there might be some room for choice. After all, some patients don’t have the best temper, and a cozy hospital room environment can aid recovery.

This time, it was Qiaoqiao’s friend asking for help, so Liu Banxia had to treat it as a serious task.

Of course, he made it clear in advance that it’s not possible to cut in line during equipment checks. Because if something went wrong, it could easily lead to a fight, which he couldn’t handle.

As long as Qiaoqiao’s friend brought his father on time, he could be the first to be examined, avoiding long delays.

To give Qiaoqiao some face, Liu Banxia, after clocking in for work, went straight to the medical examination center.

This used to be the old emergency department. Since it got renovated, he hadn’t come here much. Nowadays, things have changed, both in substance and in people.

The decor is quite cozy, which helps alleviate the nervousness of patients coming for checkups. Plus, there are quite a few nurses waiting at the reception, making this the most attentive service department in the whole hospital.

"Director Liu, right? I’m Qiaoqiao’s friend, Chu Wanting."

Before he could contact them, Qiaoqiao’s friend came over with her father proactively.

"Hello, all the procedures are done. During the checkup, the main focus is to look at the colonoscopy and then check other things as well," Liu Banxia said.

"Don’t worry, many times it’s just overthinking. I’m not just saying this because I’m a doctor, but getting a checkup does have its benefits. Coming for one each year offers peace of mind."

However, as he spoke, seeing Chu Wanting’s father’s mental state, he felt a bit anxious himself.

Perhaps because of excessive worry, the man’s spirit seemed low. It’s a kind of instinct a doctor develops, making him suspect today’s checkup results might not be pleasant.

Even though Western medicine doesn’t emphasize the four diagnostics of traditional Chinese medicine — observation, smell, questioning, and pulse-taking — after seeing numerous patients, such instincts can be quite accurate.

But before the results were out, he didn’t want to say anything about that. Whether it’s right or wrong, it would only lead to complaints.

"Oh, Director Liu has arrived."

Just as Liu Banxia was about to wander back to the emergency center, the head of the medical examination center, Cao Jian, noticed him.

"Director Cao, I see how busy you all are here, it makes one envious," Liu Banxia joked.

"We’re only making small profits here, and I was temporarily assigned, unsure of my ground," Cao Jian replied.

"Compared to private medical centers outside, ours is quite different, but thanks to being backed by the Second Hospital, it holds a higher place in people’s minds."

"At least here you have steady profits, whereas we’re always on a roller coaster. This month we earn some, next month we don’t know how big of a hole will open."

"Some patients only manage to pay medical fees after receiving judgment compensations; we have to keep running tabs. Even settling with the insurance is a hassle, it’s really worrying."

"Director Cao, you carry on, I just came to say hi. It’s busy at the emergency center too, staying out too long might get me scolded by the director."

Cao Jian laughed and nodded, "Alright, come over sometime to guide our work."

Liu Banxia waved goodbye, not taking the courteous words to heart.

Besides, Cao Jian is the genuine director, even if it’s just the medical examination center, he holds true authority. Medical checkups, after all, have high profits.

People nowadays care about health, and these examinations are often offered in packages, which are definitely cheaper than doing each individual test separately."

"Teacher Liu, have you completed the task assigned by the missus?" Xu Yino asked with a grin.

"Back to being mischievous? Are you looking to treat me to a meal or what?" Liu Banxia asked.

Xu Yino pouted, "Always picking on us poor souls, actually just wanted to report yesterday’s lecture results to you. Alas, no one wants to listen."

"Tsk tsk, even if I didn’t ask, do you think you could hold yourself back from telling?" Liu Banxia shook his head.

"Hahaha... you’re killing me," unable to hold it in, Liu Yiqing, who was eavesdropping nearby, burst out laughing.

That’s just Xu Yino’s nature, her news network is truly agile, but she tends to find it hard to keep things in. Others would often play along with her for a bit, but Liu Banxia wouldn’t indulge her habits.

"Always picking on people," Xu Yino muttered.

"Last night, our group chat was buzzing, everyone was asking me what big thing you did again, otherwise, why so many people were inquiring about your glorious deeds."

"It must be those naive freshmen thinking they need to know more about you. They can’t find anything outside, so they’re looking internally."

"That’s about right, otherwise they wouldn’t delay an entire afternoon just for a meal," Liu Banxia said.

"Oh gosh, it’s really over now. It’s getting hard to break through Teacher Liu’s defenses, how are we supposed to get by in the future?" Xu Yino said helplessly.

At this moment, an ambulance stopped at the entrance of the emergency center, and Liu Banxia froze when he saw the patient being wheeled in. The patient was restrained, was it a psychiatric case?

As he got closer, Liu Banxia frowned and sighed inwardly.

He had some impression of this patient, it was the one who had been hospitalized for treatment, suffering from bipolar disorder.

"Li Hao, you take this patient," Liu Banxia called out.

Li Hao, who was cleaning the patient’s wound nearby, paused for a moment, then handed the patient over to someone else and hurried over.

"You admitted him last time, this time it’s still on you," Liu Banxia said.

Li Hao nodded, his expression becoming serious.

"Director Liu, do you know this patient?" the paramedic asked curiously.

"He was brought in once for lithium carbonate overdose, which damaged his kidneys. This time he must have reduced his lithium intake, causing a bipolar episode, right?" Liu Banxia said.

The paramedic nodded, "We arrived after the police subdued him. Apparently, he injured several people at his workplace and smashed a lot of things; they administered sedatives on-site."

"But those people were only lightly injured, and they understand his situation, so they don’t intend to pursue it. The officer here came with us, as they need to understand the situation too."

"Hello officer, I am Deputy Director Liu Banxia. This patient has a history of bipolar disorder; you can register that," Liu Banxia quickly said.

"Okay, thank you, Director Liu. But we’ll still need to stay here; can you calm him down through medical means?" the officer asked.

"It’s possible for now, but his condition is a bit complicated," Liu Banxia said.

"He has bipolar disorder and needs lithium carbonate to control his mood. But taking too much of this medication can cause kidney failure."

"Currently, his dosage has reached a very high level, exceeding the standard dosage. Now, to prolong his life, he’s chosen a reduced dosage, which is why he’s gone manic."

"There’s an effect from the sedatives now. Once he wakes up, I’ll communicate with him and see if we can contact his family. In his current state, he can’t rely on himself alone."

The officer nodded, understanding Liu Banxia’s point.

It’s quite simple: if he takes the medication, his kidneys can’t cope; if he doesn’t take the medication, his mental state deteriorates. Failing kidneys endanger his life; mental instability endangers public safety.

"Teacher Liu, how could it flare up so quickly? It hasn’t been long, has it?" Xu Yino asked curiously.

"It’s been a while actually. The key is that lithium carbonate is too effective and he developed some drug resistance, so reducing to a relatively safe dosage isn’t very effective for him," Liu Banxia said.

"That’s why medication should never be taken casually. Even if it’s the right medication, it must be taken according to the dosage. In his case, it’s a dilemma."

"It also depends on his own choice. The sedatives can still be effective. Let Li Hao care for this patient; it might help him too."

"You should all keep in mind, if this patient continues to take medication in excessive doses, he will be back sooner or later, so directly call Li Hao then."

"Teacher Liu, isn’t that a bit cruel?" Liu Yiqing asked quietly.

"You all have to experience this; you’re just starting in this field. This time it might be this patient, next time it could be another type," Liu Banxia said.

"Even though President Wang has popularized fecal transplantation smoothly, it’s not like every patient can be cured."

"Doctors, sometimes it’s about doing your best to alleviate the symptoms’ pain, there’s no perfect solution."

"In the end, it’s about respecting the patient’s choice. This patient, Li Hao initially hoped he’d cherish his life and reduce his medication."

"Well... now it’s in line with his initial wishes. But whether he can accept this result, that’s uncertain. It’s a crucial lesson, and this patient needs to follow the entire process. Do you understand what I mean?"

The two girls nodded; they understood but still found it somewhat cruel.

They just hoped they might encounter similar cases later in their careers, or not at all.

This kind of situation is not only torturous for the patient but also for the admitting doctor.