The Enhanced Doctor

He wanted to thank Zhou Shuwen but was met with a cold shoulder. Zhou Shuwen is so busy, he has surgeries scheduled almost every morning, Liu Banxia thought.

Feeling pleased with himself, he returned to the emergency department and waved to Liang Xiaolin.

"What do you want?" Liang Xiaolin asked cautiously.

Liu Banxia took a closer look, then leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I've been officially hired."

Liang Xiaolin wrinkled her nose. "I knew that yesterday. Is there anything else?"

"You knew yesterday? Why didn't you tell me?" Liu Banxia asked in surprise.

"I found out last night. How was I supposed to tell you? You're so annoying. Go see to the patients," Liang Xiaolin said, looking exasperated.

Actually, I'm quite happy for him, she thought, but this guy gets conceited so easily. Why should I have told him? Who does he think he is?

Liu Banxia decided not to dwell on the girl's occasional temper. I'm on staff now, I won't bother with her occasional tantrums.

"Tsk, tsk, hello Dr. Liu. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Wang Chao, a resident at Second Hospital," Wang Chao said, sidling up to him playfully.

Liu Banxia nodded quite demurely. "We must be serious and meticulous. In our careers, residency training is very important."

"Your advice is spot on. Want to grab some pork knuckle for lunch?" Wang Chao asked.

"Pork knuckle? What's that? Let's go all out at the cafeteria!" Liu Banxia declared grandly.

After saying that, they both couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Had your laugh? As a full-time doctor in the emergency department, you should start handling more of the night shifts," Shi Lei's voice came from behind them.

"Boss, you definitely knew about my promotion. Why didn't you tell me?" Liu Banxia sounded quite resentful.

"I was afraid you'd get arrogant," Shi Lei said, glaring at him. "Did you hear what I just said? From now on, you're a full-time doctor in the emergency department. You can't always be laughing and joking around. You have to be more serious."

"Hehe, I'll definitely be serious," Liu Banxia said, still grinning.

Shi Lei felt helpless against him. "Wise up. You're under Director Qin's supervision now."

"Ah... I forgot about that. Nothing bad will happen, right?" Liu Banxia finally registered.

"As long as you don't cause trouble, there won't be any problems. Just hang in there for a while longer," Shi Lei said before leaving.

"Old Liu, you'll soon be able to truly stand on your own. I guess I can finally escape the torment of emergency department night shifts," Chen Jianxin chimed in, approaching them.

"Ah... Dr. Chen, don't tell me I'll be in charge of all the night shifts from now on? I won't be able to manage by myself," Liu Banxia said, a little panicked.

"Not all of them, but you can cover a few days here and there," Chen Jianxin said. "There's less than a year left. Perform well, work hard, and if you pass the attending physician exam, they might sign you on an attending physician's contract. Anyway, I think your skills are even sharper than mine. That small incision you did was truly excellent."

"Hehe, you saw that? I was just a little lucky," Liu Banxia said.

"The emergency department is likely in a transitional period right now, so it shouldn't be a problem even if you're the only one on duty at night. Things will get easier once the emergency department renovations are complete," Chen Jianxin continued.

"Tsk, tsk. So Old Qin isn't holed up in his office today; he's actually out for a stroll," Liu Banxia remarked with a sigh.

Chen Jianxin felt a bit helpless. This kid's animosity with Director Qin really isn't going to be resolved easily.

There wasn't much time for idle chatter, as patients were still arriving. Even though they were mostly minor injuries and small issues, they still had to be treated.

Just then, a male patient, supported by two family members, walked in, clutching his abdomen. Before Liu Banxia could rush over, Qin Hai had already stepped forward.

Chen Jianxin and Liu Banxia exchanged a glance. If Director Qin were always this proactive, the emergency department's efficiency would improve dramatically.

Liu Banxia feigned interest and leaned in to listen.

The patient, 59 years old, had experienced abdominal pain and rectal bleeding for over half a month. He also had a history of hypertension and diabetes. Recently, the rectal bleeding had worsened, and his daughter finally persuaded him to come to the hospital.

Normally, this case wouldn't fall under general surgery. However, since Qin Hai was the director of the emergency department, he took it. He ordered a conventional diagnostic workup: a combined CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, plus a colonoscopy and a complete blood count.

Liu Banxia felt somewhat dejected. Patients often ignore rectal bleeding. But it's not always hemorrhoids; it could be an intestinal lesion. And he has abdominal pain too, so it's definitely not just hemorrhoids. It could be intestinal polyps or even a tumor. If I had taken this patient, I might have another surgery for my log.

"Dr. Chen, a patient with two puncture wounds will be here soon," Zhou Li reported, running over.

"Dr. Liu, you take the lead," Chen Jianxin said.

"Okay."

After acknowledging, Liu Banxia immediately put on a disposable surgical gown.

At that moment, the wail of an ambulance siren grew louder, and paramedics rushed in, pushing a gurney.

DING!

Task: Admit Emergency Patient

Objective: Do your utmost to save the patient's life. Rewards will be issued based on the outcome of the resuscitation.

"Patient is about 17, two puncture wounds—chest and abdomen. His blood pressure is critically low at 50/80. We've given fluids, but it hasn't come up," a paramedic reported.

"Resuscitation Room One," Liu Banxia directed. Then, noticing Liu Haibing, Liu Liyou's son, who had accompanied the patient, he asked, "Brother Liu, is this your relative?"

"Doctor Liu, I'm incredibly unlucky; this is somewhat related to me. You focus on saving him. I've already called the police; they'll handle it shortly," Liu Haibing said with a bitter smile.

"How did he get injured?" Liu Banxia asked the paramedic.

"He fell onto a pile of debris with two protruding steel bars. The patient said he called for an ambulance himself after getting up," the paramedic replied.

Liu Banxia frowned. This is trouble. If an organ was hit, he could be bleeding out internally right now.

"Connect him to the monitor! Zhou Li, continue oxygen. Wang Chao, get another IV line in the groin. Liang Xiaolin, protect his airway; be ready to intubate. STAT labs, and activate Level 1 transfusion protocol! Move!" Liu Banxia ordered as they transferred the patient to the bed, then he grabbed his stethoscope to listen.

Chen Jianxin nodded in satisfaction. The hospital made the right choice with Liu Banxia. He's handling this admission calmly and his orders are well-organized.

"Groin line established!"

"Intubation complete!"

Wang Chao's and Liang Xiaolin's voices came almost simultaneously.

"Sounds like fluid in the abdomen and chest. Contact the OR, page cardiothoracic," Liu Banxia said, putting down his stethoscope.

BEEEEEEP...

The monitor blared its dreaded, continuous tone.

"One milligram of epinephrine! Wang Chao, start CPR! Dr. Chen, we might have to do an emergency thoracotomy here. Acute respiratory distress syndrome with massive hemorrhage. If we don't stop the bleeding, we're going to lose him," Liu Banxia said gravely.

Chen Jianxin hesitated for a moment, then nodded.