Surgeons Episode 2 Recap
> Surgeons Recap
During a surgery, Lu Chenxi intently lectured Chu Jun, an assisting resident, on the vital importance of routine reports in medicine, emphasizing that such knowledge is often gained from tragic experiences and must be meticulously observed by every doctor. She chose to perform the stitching by hand instead of using a stapler. When questioned if Director Yang's instruction was needed, Lu Chenxi firmly stated that on her operating table, her word was final.
Immediately after the surgery, Lu Chenxi received a call from Chen Shaocong, learning that Yang Fan had approved the discharge of a severe hemoptysis patient back to the emergency room. Rushing to Yang Fan's office, Lu Chenxi confronted him, stating that in her eleven years of practice, she had never seen a patient with such severe lung lesions recover without surgery, and argued that uninformed family members couldn't genuinely decide on their own.
Yang Fan, annoyed by her aggressive demeanor, criticized her for being arrogant despite her surgical skills and reminded her to respect colleagues and patients. Lu Chenxi retorted, accusing him of prioritizing convenience and cost over patient well-being, suggesting he was misguiding the patient. Agitated, Yang Fan called Dean Fu. In Dean Fu's office, Lu Chenxi apologized for her attitude toward Director Yang but questioned if her professional medical judgment was incorrect, given the patient's condition.
Yang Fan, however, pressed further, criticizing her poor bedside manner with both colleagues and patients. Dean Fu, who had remained silent, intervened, stating that the matter would proceed according to Yang Fan's decision unless the patient himself requested surgery. As Lu Chenxi stormed out, Dean Fu stopped a smug Yang Fan.
Dean Fu questioned why Yang Fan hadn't held a single outpatient clinic last month, reminding him that patient care at Renhe Hospital was paramount and that he shouldn't overly focus on equipment and medications. Unfazed, Yang Fan retorted by bringing up Dean Fu's chronic chest pains since his surgery two years prior, and implied that Dean Fu was excessively taking painkillers, and even mixing them with alcohol, potentially impacting his ability to perform surgery.
Dean Fu vehemently denied consuming alcohol during surgery. Yang Fan, leaving chewing gum on the Dean's desk, remarked on how the media might perceive such actions. Meanwhile, in the emergency room, Zhuang Shu was observed conversing earnestly with the hemoptysis patient's son. He used simple diagrams to clearly explain the severity of the illness, comparing the abscess to a pustule that could lead to sepsis if not removed.
The son, now understanding the critical situation, pondered his father's weak state but did not immediately agree to the surgery. Emerging from Dean Fu's office, Yang Fan was met by Tang Yun Long, a sales manager from Pioneer Medical Treatment Corporation. Tang complained that Lu Chenxi had not used any of their staplers for the quarter, despite the company's contributions to the hospital and the proven quality of their products.
He cited patient Zhao Wei Gang, who only learned about the stapler option from Tang and would have chosen it if informed. Yang Fan acknowledged the patient's wishes but subtly implied that such complaints would only be impactful if voiced directly by the patients themselves to the hospital's leadership. Soon after, a couple approached Dr. Zhang Mo Han, the Vice Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, to complain about Lu Chenxi.
The wife blamed her husband for not opting for a stapler for her father's surgery, while the husband insisted Lu Chenxi never mentioned the option. They claimed their father was experiencing fever and dizziness post-surgery, unlike other patients in the ward who had used staplers. Dr. Zhang defended Lu Chenxi's meticulous surgical technique but conceded that patients should be informed of all options. The couple persisted, accusing Lu Chenxi of using their father as practice.
While Yang Fan was consoling this complaining couple, he received a call from Zhuang Shu, confirming that the hemoptysis patient's family had agreed to proceed with the surgery. Separately, Cheng Hui Ying, the Director of Student Affairs, visited the outpatient department, complaining of coughing up blood. She had already been seen by Director Huang in the Respiratory Department, who diagnosed her with a throat laceration from chronic coughing, not a severe illness.
Unsatisfied, she sought a "better specialist" in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Lu Chenxi performed a brief examination and concurred with the previous diagnosis, referring Cheng Hui Ying back to the Pulmonary Department. Cheng Hui Ying, enraged by what she perceived as a dismissive and careless examination, refused, accusing Lu Chenxi of a poor attitude.
Lu Chenxi, exasperated, dismissively told her that if the Pulmonary Department were to find a serious condition requiring surgery, such as a tumor, then Cheng Hui Ying could return to see her. This only further inflamed Cheng Hui Ying, who then became violent, grabbing Lu Chenxi's hair and accusing her of bullying. In retaliation, Lu Chenxi angrily wrote "Paranoid. Go to psychiatric hospital." on Cheng Hui Ying's medical record, telling her to transfer hospitals.
Cheng Hui Ying threatened to file a complaint, to which Lu Chenxi defiantly replied, "Do as you wish!" In the operating room for the hemoptysis patient, assistants speculated that Zhuang Shu, a distinguished specialist from America, was brought in by Director Yang to challenge Dean Fu's position.
Zhuang Shu entered, explaining that he was on a sabbatical from his American medical center for personal reasons, and sought to study the diverse range of cases at Renhe Hospital, whose patient throughput was five times greater than his previous institution. During the complex surgery, a tumor was unexpectedly discovered. Despite this, Zhuang Shu skillfully completed the operation in under two and a half hours.
He later emphasized the importance for surgeons to consider all possibilities, even for emergency patients who don't undergo extensive preoperative examinations, and acknowledged Renhe Hospital's high patient volume as a valuable learning opportunity. Soon after, Zhuang Shu and others involved in the surgery were summoned to an emergency meeting. Yang Fan reviewed Cheng Hui Ying's medical record, noting Lu Chenxi's "Paranoid" diagnosis.
A nurse explained that Cheng Hui Ying had been seen by multiple departments and became upset when told there was nothing seriously wrong, leading to the altercation with Lu Chenxi. Despite the nurse's explanation that Lu Chenxi was provoked, Yang Fan appeared to formulate a plan. Back in her clinic, a calm Lu Chenxi was advising another patient's daughter that Dean Fu was the most skilled surgeon for her mother's lung transplant.
The daughter, having witnessed the earlier commotion, asked if Lu Chenxi was alright. Lu Chenxi responded with a casual smile, stating that such incidents were part of the job and wouldn't deter her. A nurse then informed Lu Chenxi that she was urgently needed at an emergency meeting, and other doctors would cover her remaining patients.
Meanwhile, at a psychology clinic, Dean Fu was diagnosed with depression, stemming from his post-surgical chest pain and immense work stress, compounded by a drug addiction from excessive painkiller use. The psychologist recommended a temporary leave for systematic treatment, but Dean Fu was hesitant due to concerns about his reputation. During the session, he received a call from Yang Fan, who informed him of Lu Chenxi's recent incident with Cheng Hui Ying and her controversial diagnosis on the patient's chart.
Yang Fan announced his intention to call a cardiothoracic surgery meeting to discuss disciplinary action against Lu Chenxi, prompting a distressed Dean Fu to rush to the hospital. On his way to the emergency meeting, Zhuang Shu encountered Dean Fu. Dean Fu acknowledged Zhuang Shu, who then informed him that he had accepted Director Yang's suggestion to take over Lu Chenxi's position as teaching supervisor and doctor in charge of Ward 1. Dean Fu commented on Yang Fan's swift actions.
At the emergency meeting, Yang Fan initiated proceedings by declaring the need to address a serious breach of medical ethics. Lu Chenxi immediately challenged him, correctly assuming the meeting was about her and the patient, Cheng Hui Ying, who was also present. Cheng Hui Ying angrily presented her medical record with Lu Chenxi's "Paranoid" diagnosis, accusing her of insulting her and damaging medical integrity. The couple who had complained about the stapler incident also voiced their grievances.
Yang Fan reassured the patients that their complaints would be handled seriously and dismissed them. He then turned to Lu Chenxi, demanding an explanation for the insulting words on the medical record. Lu Chenxi, unrepentant, asserted it was her diagnosis and asked if there was a problem. Yang Fan warned her of severe consequences if she continued to show no remorse. Just then, Dean Fu entered, followed by Zhuang Shu.
