"Dr. Liu, are you sure about this?" Xu Chengjun asked after a moment of deliberation.
Liu Banxia nodded, removing his gloves. "There’s a tumor present from percussion. It’s not very large. In addition, the patient is very thin and prone to diarrhea. I think it’s better to err on the side of caution."
"Alright, have this patient undergo a colonoscopy," Xu Chengjun stated decisively.
It was clear from Liu Banxia’s demeanor that he would not perform the surgery without conducting a colonoscopy first. Although Xu Chengjun didn’t believe a misdiagnosis was possible at this point, he conceded to Liu Banxia’s judgment.
However, Liu Banxia’s actions did make the staff at Jinshui District Hospital somewhat uncomfortable. After all, if there was indeed a misdiagnosis, it would be their reputation at stake.
Despite this, Liu Banxia didn’t dwell on it. His job was to work and make money; when he saw a problem, he addressed it, and that was that. But take unnecessary risks? That was not something he was willing to do.
The preoperative indicators for the third surgery were quite good. It was just a case of chronic appendicitis, with no signs of pus. Liu Banxia also showcased his skill, once again performing the 5-second appendix retrieval.
Even though the previous incident had left many feeling uncomfortable, they couldn’t help but admire Liu Banxia upon witnessing how quickly he retrieved the appendix.
While Liang Xiaolin was stitching the patient up, a doctor came in, his expression somewhat complex.
Xu Chengjun glanced at him. "Has the colonoscopy result come out?"
The doctor nodded. "There is a tumor in the cecum, along with multiple intestinal polyps."
DING! The mission ’Treat the Emaciated Patient’ is complete.
You have gained 200 experience points and 400 diagnostics skill proficiency.
This mission has been rated Flawless. You have gained an additional 300 experience points, 500 diagnostics skill proficiency, and 1 Glory Point.
Congratulations, Host! Your Diagnostics skill has been upgraded to Level 3 (20,828/49,999).
While Liu Banxia was still indulging in the joy of mission completion, the doctors in the operating room were looking at him as if he were a monster.
It really was a missed diagnosis!
Liu Banxia had discovered the tumor simply by percussion, not mistaking it for an appendicular abscess. Moreover, based on the patient’s thin physique, he had thought further and ordered a colonoscopy.
Could the standards of the District Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital truly be that different? The patient had undergone examinations after admission, so why hadn’t anyone thought to investigate further?
They understood the potential consequences such a misdiagnosis could bring to the hospital. It could even become viral news.
The normal procedure would have been to successfully remove the patient’s appendix, only for the patient to still exhibit symptoms of lower right abdominal pain. Then, after a series of examinations, the tumor would have been discovered.
Perhaps it was just a matter of a few days’ difference, but the loss of face for the District Hospital was significant. The patient’s family might very well exploit this to cause trouble for the hospital.
"Dr. Liu, thank you so much," Xu Chengjun stated sincerely.
"Don’t mention it. I just gave it a bit more thought," Liu Banxia said with a smile. "Moreover, it’s possible that the patient’s appendicitis symptoms masked these other issues. This happens quite frequently. In any case, we’ve discovered it now, and that’s what matters most."
"You’re just trying to save face for us. That situation usually happens with acute appendicitis patients," Xu Chengjun said with a bitter smile.
Liu Banxia didn’t say anything more; saying too much would seem pretentious. Everyone present was a medical professional, so there was no need for explicit elaboration.
DING! Appendectomy completed. You gained 100 experience points, 300 appendectomy skill proficiency, and 100 diagnostics skill proficiency.
Regrettably, this surgery was too routine and simple, so no corresponding rating was given.
For the third surgery, before Liu Banxia entered the operating room, the doctors of Jinshui District Hospital had thoroughly reviewed the patient’s case again. They were worried about any other incidents occurring, as the chief director’s expression had been quite grim earlier.
This surgery naturally went smoothly as well. After all, most patients who could wait for Liu Banxia’s ’Flying Scalpel’ assistance were chronic appendicitis cases. Acute appendicitis cases depended on luck, like the very first one that day.
This surgery was quite satisfactory, yielding 500 experience points, 600 appendectomy skill proficiency, 300 diagnostics skill proficiency, and 3 Glory Points. This also helped him level up to Level 27.
"Dr. Liu, I won’t say too many words of thanks. I know you have work tomorrow, so let’s toast with this beverage in lieu of alcohol," Xu Chengjun said during lunch, raising his glass.
"Chief Director Xu, please don’t be so formal. If you act , how would I dare to come next time?" Liu Banxia hurriedly stood up.
"You deserve it. Doctor Liang, don’t feel burdened; today’s meal is on me," Xu Chengjun joked.
"You’re too kind. Actually, I’m still thinking about today’s three surgeries," Liang Xiaolin said.
"Dr. Liu, if I may speak frankly, even though we don’t know each other well," Xu Chengjun said. "I’ve had contact with Old Qin before, and Director Jiang also told me some things about what happened between you two. It’s better to be cautious."
"Chief Director Xu, you might laugh, but even now, I still don’t know how I managed to offend them," Liu Banxia said with a bitter laugh. "The only possible reason is that I’m an easy target, unlike others who are harder to push around. They’ve already squeezed me for all I’m worth; what’s the point of them continuing to do so?"
Xu Chengjun chuckled. "Old Qin initially focused his energy on the university. Unfortunately, his luck wasn’t great, and he failed to secure key positions. That’s why he left the university and joined the Second Affiliated Hospital."
"Actually, Old Qin’s skills are quite good. Among his cohort, it might be a stretch to say he was number one or two, but he was definitely in the top five."
"Still, luck wasn’t on his side. Eventually, considering his seniority, your hospital assigned him the position of director of the emergency department."
Liu Banxia frowned. "I really didn’t know all that. But I do know Director Qin is skilled. There was one time when a patient I admitted needed spleen and vascular repair, and Director Qin handled it."
"Now that he’s joined the Medical Affairs Department, I feel like he’s still targeting me. I’ve already clashed with the Medical Affairs Department twice; it’s so frustrating."
"Haha, the larger the hospital, the more issues there are. Why do you think I didn’t stay at the First Affiliated Hospital back then? It’s much quieter here. Enough about that, let’s eat. The food at this place is very good," Xu Chengjun said.
Providing Liu Banxia with this information was Xu Chengjun’s way of repaying the favor. After all, what did Qin Hai’s affairs have to do with him?
Today, Liu Banxia had timely discovered the missed diagnosis, pulling the hospital back from a dangerous brink and even potentially enhancing its reputation. This contribution was far more significant than a simple calculation of gains and losses.
Because Liu Banxia could have simply performed the surgery as planned, pocketed the five thousand yuan fee, and considered the matter none of his business.
This was a favor, and it had to be repaid.