Chapter 853 - 401: An Old Warhorse Still in the Stable, The Patient Is at Great Risk

Chapter 853: Chapter 401: An Old Warhorse Still in the Stable, The Patient Is at Great Risk

"Director Rong!"

Lian Tao greeted a somewhat elderly figure.

There were about thirty beds in this room.

And it seemed that there was more than one large intensive care unit at the People’s Hospital. They entered Intensive Care Unit Three.

Possibly for more scientific patient management and to reduce cross-infection and other risks, there were only thirty beds placed in this large ward.

Someone jokingly said that the rich in Jiangli City spend their entire lives earning money just to spend a few days here in their later years.

This saying is definitely a bit exaggerated.

Intensive care unit costs are high, but for the truly wealthy, staying for a few days, or even a few years, is manageable.

And wealthy people like to buy insurance.

For hospitalization, most of the costs can be reimbursed.

"Come on! You guys take a look first, I’ll come over once I’m done here."

Director Rong glanced at the two of them and, after saying one sentence, quickly returned to the resuscitation work.

Despite having subordinate doctors and nurses around, Director Rong personally attended to many tasks, carefully suctioning phlegm for patients, adjusting ventilator settings, and so on.

Li Jingsheng couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of respect for the elder.

Lian Tao, clearly not a first-timer here, led Li Jingsheng skillfully to a bed near the morgue door.

Birth, old age, sickness, and death may be relatively rare outside, but inside here, any moment of shortness of breath, cardiac arrest, or multiple organ failure could lead to death.

Transporting bodies out is a critical task.

The normal procedure is for patients to be brought in through the main entrance. If resuscitation fails, the family is informed to send a representative for a final farewell, and then a special attendant is notified to place the body in a body bag and transport it directly out.

If bodies were taken out through the main entrance every day, they’d scare the family and other patients to death.

Moreover, deceased patients often accompany various infections.

Transporting bodies out the main entrance would pose a significant threat to sterile management.

Therefore, bodies are taken out through a special mortuary door at the back.

Some families, visiting an intensive care unit for the first time, should best avoid a certain empty corridor. It’s best not to use the so-called ’internal employee’ elevator.

Some elevators are labeled ’freight.’

These are slightly longer than regular elevators.

If one is weak or prone to viral infections, it’s best to avoid these elevators.

Some who have taken it ended up getting sick afterward.

There’s no clear explanation for this.

It’s really not superstition; some weak or immunocompromised patients indeed fall ill after riding these mortuary elevators. It could be exposure to remaining viruses, or perhaps an ’incompatible magnetic field.’

An old saying goes, "A wise man avoids danger and unfamiliar paths."

The best approach in these situations is not to act foolishly; if something seems wrong, quickly change paths.

"This is the patient. At present, his vital signs are relatively stable. Especially after resolving the pulmonary thromboembolism, there’s been noticeable improvement in breathing."

Lian Tao was quite optimistic about this patient.

Li Jingsheng observed but remained silent.

He examined the patient’s body, including the back, feet, and other areas.

"Before coming to the hospital, had he been bedridden for a long time?"

"Yes, he has been bedridden for almost half a year. And according to the family’s account, even before being bedridden, the patient would be out of breath with any slight physical activity, and he had no strength in his body. Therefore, he spent most of his time sitting, watching TV, or playing chess with other elderly people, with very little exercise."

This is, in fact, a vicious cycle.

Because of health issues, he couldn’t exercise.

As a result, due to a lack of physical activity, his condition worsened.

"I suspect that his pulmonary embolism might have been present for a long time."

Li Jingsheng said.

The patient’s red blood cell count was quite high, much above normal levels, indicating heart failure had been ongoing for a very long time. It likely involved recurrent heart failure.

Under such circumstances, the patient’s lack of exercise leads to increased blood viscosity and slow blood flow, making it very easy for thrombosis to form.

When the patient is in a lying position, stationary, pulmonary blood flow readily becomes congested.

When pulmonary embolism initially forms, it might not be large.

But over time, it becomes increasingly severe.

The patient’s later development of chronic obstructive emphysema also indicated that pulmonary issues began much earlier.

From this analysis, Li Jingsheng’s diagnosis of the patient as having cor pulmonale was clearly on the right track.

He also specifically checked the patient’s palms and found no liver palms.

The sclera in the eyes showed no jaundice.

The patient’s complexion was not jaundiced but appeared rather pale.

He even attempted a bone examination on the patient, finding osteoporosis and muscle atrophy, with no other obvious issues.

"Let’s go out and talk."

After assessing the patient’s actual situation, Li Jingsheng couldn’t find the answers he was seeking.

By this point, Director Rong Xuekai had finished treating the patient and came over.

"Xiaoli, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you!"

Director Rong was exceptionally friendly to him.

They didn’t interact much usually.

It was during a consultation at the People’s Hospital that they had met once. Subsequently, they exchanged contact information, but both were busy and had little interaction.

"Haha, didn’t expect you to recognize me right away. Actually, I often come by to learn from Lian Tao and Professor Wang Weiwei, but knowing how busy you are, I didn’t dare disturb you."

Of course, it’s just a polite remark.

If there’s no real reason, he wouldn’t disturb Rong Xuekai.

"You can learn from them or you can communicate with me! I’m busy, but if you come to me, I can definitely spare some time to chat with you. Or you can directly enter the intensive care unit to help me rescue patients. Now, I’m getting older, and sooner or later, I’ll have to step down. After that, it’ll be up to you young people to take over. In the last consultation, you displayed a highly impressive medical talent.

Your medical knowledge is fairly solid.

Even more commendable is that you’ve already gained a wealth of clinical diagnosis experience at such a young age.

In my view, if you can work in intensive care medicine, you’ll surely achieve great things."

Rong Xuekai’s high praise made him somewhat embarrassed.

His clinical experience is far from extensive.

"The achievements of Director Rong in intensive care medicine are sought after even by foreign experts. Medical doctorates want to learn from him and queue up. Jingsheng, others would beg for the opportunity to learn from Director Rong. You should seize it."

Lian Tao gave his good friend a reminder.

In Lian Tao’s view, learning intensive rescue knowledge from Rong Xuekai would definitely be a great benefit.

It could even be lifelong.

"I really want to learn from Director Rong, but I’ve been too busy lately. You know, besides seeing patients in my own clinic, I also have to work at the Second Hospital. Working overtime is almost normal."

Li Jingsheng doesn’t have a high demand for intensive care medicine.

At the Second Hospital, his main focus is on bone setting, which doesn’t involve intensive care medicine.

His own clinic can’t conduct inpatient treatment, so it isn’t necessary either.

If he worked in the emergency department or intensive care unit, learning from Rong Xuekai for two good years would certainly be outstanding.

"It’s good for young people to work hard. When you’re not so busy, if you want to learn clinical experience in intensive care medicine, you can always come and find me. Although our People’s Hospital rarely trains doctors from other hospitals, someone like you is definitely worth developing. Whether you come to learn occasionally or directly through hospital sponsoring for further studies, you’re always welcome.

The premise is that I can still do the job and haven’t collapsed."

Rong Xuekai seems never to ponder over polite words.

He doesn’t yet realize that Li Jingsheng is politely declining.

This respected elder has dedicated all his life and energy to studying medicine.

In fact, quite a few doctors come to the People’s Hospital for further studies.

Among many public hospitals, the People’s Hospital probably trains the most further-study students.

Some very famous large hospitals seldom recruit further-study doctors.

Their talent training mechanism is quite like the legendary ancient martial arts sects. All doctors and nurses are self-cultivated.

Patients who have visited these hospitals should feel this, as all external scans and examination results are universally unrecognized.

Even if just done and within the valid period, they must be redone.

It’s not about the examination fee but a distrust of external doctors’ skills.

The same brain CT scan, in a technical hospital, can be checked thoroughly. In a hospital with less skill, the lesion might be missed.

As for biochemical test results, it’s even harder to mention.

Some bacterial cultures require multiple repetitions to be discovered.

General small hospitals cannot afford this cost.

This is also why now, for more serious conditions, patients all rush to top-tier hospitals.

"Xiaoli, intensive care medicine used to be a weak point in our country. Although it has improved significantly now, some techniques are still lagging. I’ve checked Qiaobang Hospital’s intensive care unit, and it’s quite good. Our People’s Hospital has now expanded to three intensive care rooms and plans to implement grading for intensive patients. The future vision is to build it into a world-class top-tier intensive care center."

Rong Xuekai is like an old steed yearning for distant roads.

At such an age, he still harbors such lofty ideals and ambitions.

"The construction of any research project or medical department depends on talent. Young people with potential and ability, like you, must learn to take on more responsibilities."

He sincerely taught Li Jingsheng.

"I will certainly remember your teachings."

Li Jingsheng couldn’t offer another reply.

Having to bear such a heavy burden, he truly doesn’t have that mindset yet.

Currently, he aims to earn more money, marry his wife, buy a larger house, and one day bring his parents to the city to enjoy life.

Then have two babies with Ou Qinglan and raise them well.

Then life would be complete.

"By the way, did you guys just examine the patient with respiratory failure and heart failure?"

Rong Xuekai brought the topic back to the patient.

"We have checked. The vital signs are quite stable now."

After Lian Tao spoke, he paused and glanced at Li Jingsheng.

"Jingsheng believes that the patient’s first lesion is very likely in the liver, which then triggered the pulmonary changes, eventually developing into pulmonary heart disease."

"Xiaoli really thinks so?"

Rong Xuekai looked at Li Jingsheng.

"Yes, my diagnosis is basically like that. Also, I just examined the patient’s condition. Although the vital signs are stable now, if the liver disease cannot be identified and properly treated quickly, I’m worried the patient’s condition will soon deteriorate. By then, the rescue opportunity might be lost."

Li Jingsheng straightforwardly shared all his thoughts.

Lian Tao obviously doesn’t consider the patient to be in significant danger.

"Your thinking is quite special!"

After listening, Rong Xuekai showed a thoughtful expression.

"The liver-related issues are already under investigation, let’s see the situation first! At least based on my experience, the patient’s condition won’t have major changes in a short period. Even if there are some small issues, I should be able to handle them promptly."

Rong Xuekai seemingly doesn’t quite agree with Li Jingsheng’s diagnostic approach.

Reaching the level of Lian Tao and Rong Xuekai, they usually have their own diagnostic thinking and style.

They might think Li Jingsheng’s diagnosis is somewhat subjective and speculative, so they don’t really support it.