Chapter 4: I Want to Be the Chief Surgeon!
Chen Cang worked swiftly, and the children didn't cry or make a fuss after they came in.
An Yanjun had been worried that Chen Cang's dressing changes would be rough, causing the kids more pain!
After all, young people are often careless, and with this thought in mind, An Yanjun sped up the dressing changes, hastily finishing them before hurrying over.
But he was taken aback when he arrived.
A few children who had been bandaged up were sitting there, behaving and staying quiet.
An Yanjun couldn't help but ask, "Kids, were you scared? Does it hurt?"
Several children shook their heads: "No pain!"
An Yanjun smiled, patted their heads, guessing that their fear of the unknown had scared them, especially since they hadn't been this quiet during his own dressing changes.
Meanwhile, Chen Cang was treating a little girl; her knee had a cut with fine dust embedded inside, which needed to be cleaned and the larger dust particles removed. An Yanjun frowned—this was a bit tricky to treat, the wound was quite serious, it must hurt!
He was about to speak when Chen Cang already began debridement.
But it was just a glance, and An Yanjun was struck dumb.
One can tell a master by their first move!
Chen Cang's debridement technique was somewhat special, wasn't it?
Sure enough, the little girl just grimaced, her eyes brimming with tears, but she didn't cry out at all.
An Yanjun also discovered that Chen Cang was very attentive to the delicate details when dealing with the wound!
He was extremely careful in cleaning sensitive areas... and by doing so, he could greatly reduce the patient's suffering, even alleviate the original pain to a certain extent through dressing changes!
This was a test of a physician's skill.
An Yanjun vaguely remembered that an expert from the Mayo Clinic had once specialized in this research: debridement and dressing changes are most bothersome because of the pain, and an excellent specialist can alleviate the pain at the injury site, reduce the patient's anxiety, and thereby promote faster healing.
For this reason, An Yanjun had tried it as well, but seemingly with mediocre results; he hadn't effectively reduced the patients' suffering. Later, An Yanjun thought it was only a theoretical possibility.
However, Chen Cang seemed to have really achieved it just now.
In terms of lessening patients' pain, Little Chen was doing excellently.
Thinking of this, An Yanjun was suddenly filled with curiosity, how did he do it?
This was a topic worth researching; there could be a chance for exchange when there was time!
[Ding! An Yanjun's favorable impression +5]
Chen Cang, who was in the midst of changing dressings, paused and turned his head to see An Yanjun staring at his buttocks.
Chen Cang immediately became very apprehensive!
After all, he was the deputy director of the emergency department; if he came on strong, should I refuse?
With this thought, Chen Cang couldn't help but clench his glutes and even shifted his stance.
He resolved inwardly that he must never go to the same bathhouse with Director An; after all, one can't be too sure with slippery soap!
...
[Ding! Congratulations, you have completed the daily task and received +30 experience in wound dressing and debridement, and 50 RMB.]
An Yanjun came in and glanced at Chen Cang, "Hard work today, let's go handover the shift together."
[Ding! NPC An Yanjun's mission complete, you have gained +5 in favorable impression from An Yanjun, 20 RMB, and +30 experience.]
Chen Cang nodded, noticing An Yanjun's glance seemed somewhat fervent, he couldn't help but keep a scalpel's distance away...
Just in case... better be prepared!
However, thinking of the morning's operations that directly brought him 120 RMB in income, Chen Cang felt quite delightful.
Suddenly, an idea struck Chen Cang:
[An Yanjun, a meticulous and serious surgeon, current favorability: 15.]
Only 15 points of favorability?
Not bad!
Chen Cang finally felt relieved.
...
...
The so-called shift handover simply involved passing on the events of the previous night to today's duty doctor; there hadn't been any major incidents last night, so the handover went smoothly.
After completing the handover, An Yanjun changed clothes and left work.
Chen Cang, on the other hand, stared blankly at Chen Bingsheng.
[Chen Bingsheng, a highly experienced surgeon, current favorability: 60. You can view detailed information!]
Chen Cang was pleased; he could view detailed information.
[Name: Chen Bingsheng]
[Profession: Doctor]
[Level: lv42:960/12600 (Associate Chief Physician)]
[Professional Skills:
Basic Surgical Skills:
Wound Cleaning and Dressing: Master: 3970/8000
Stitching of Skin, Tendons and Other Injuries: Advanced: 1679/4000
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Intermediate: 1500/2000
...
Surgical Skills:
Primary Surgery:
Appendectomy: Advanced: 277/4000
Incision and Drainage Surgery: Advanced: 9211/4000]
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Hernia repair surgery: Intermediate: 292/2000
...
Secondary surgery:
Gastrointestinal ostomy and anastomosis: Intermediate: 656/2000
Gastrointestinal perforation repair: Advanced: 1999/4000
Intestinal volvulus reduction: Advanced: 999/4000
Subtotal gastrectomy: Advanced, 1289/4000
...
Tertiary surgery:
Laparoscopic bowel small intestine and colon surgery: Intermediate: 555/2000
Thyroidectomy: Intermediate: 799/2000
Gastric cancer radical surgery (proximal gastrectomy, distal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy): Intermediate: 855/2000...
After reading this, Chen Cang was at a loss for words, with the phrase "holy crap" lingering on his lips but not daring to say it out loud, for fear of creating a misunderstanding with Big Brother Chen.
But... these attributes are too luxurious!
Currently, he only had some basic skills and hadn't even performed the most fundamental level-one surgeries. Comparing himself to Big Brother Chen, who had a plethora of level-one, level-two, and level-three surgeries, there was a long road ahead.
However, Chen Bingsheng was already level 42, which, if compared based on actual ability, was equivalent to the level of an associate chief physician. Although he currently only had the title of an attending physician, his skills were substantial!
It seems that the system's ratings were not based on a person's job title but rather divided fairly according to their capabilities.
There was just one thing Chen Cang couldn't understand: did transitioning from a resident doctor to an attending doctor require a job transfer??? And possibly, a dedicated certificate?!
Generally, hospitals categorize surgeries into four levels according to their difficulty, size, and whether they have been introduced:
Level-one surgery: Simple and minor operations.
Level-two surgery: Minor and simple intermediate operations.
Level-three surgery: Intermediate and general major operations.
Level-four surgery: Difficult or severe major operations and newly introduced operations.
And different levels of surgery also require doctors of corresponding levels of experience. For example,
Low seniority physicians, can be understood as those at the resident doctor level: The range of surgeries is limited to level-one.
High seniority physicians including attending physicians: The range of surgeries is limited to level-two, and with guidance from a physician of an advanced attending level or higher, level-three surgeries may be performed.
High seniority attending physicians: The range of surgeries is limited to level-three, and with guidance from a department head or chief physician, level-four surgeries may be performed.
Department heads, associate chief physicians: The range of surgeries is limited to level-four, and when there are many surgeries specific to their specialty, level-three surgeries may be performed.
Hence, Chen Cang could only perform level-one surgeries for the time being. Of course, with Big Brother Bingsheng overseeing, he could also perform level-two surgeries.
Chen Bingsheng turned around after seeing Chen Cang staring at him for a long while, feeling somewhat creeped out. What's with this kid!
"Xiao Chen! Come with me to round on the patients. There are two surgeries later, and you'll be joining me."
Chen Cang: "Okay!"
But... why wasn't there a mission prompt?
Chen Cang was puzzled.
The emergency department includes wards, and the Provincial Second Hospital's emergency department has sixty beds. It's a provincial key department and also a hub for the Anyang City 120 Emergency Center. It's usually very busy.
Though sixty beds may seem like plenty, they are always full, with Bingsheng managing twelve patients under him.
Emergency inpatients don't stay very long. Typically, once their condition stabilizes, they are transferred to other departments.
For those whose conditions don't stabilize... they either are transferred to another hospital or end up at the funeral home. Either way, they don't stay in the emergency department for long.
Making rounds took about an hour, with Chen Cang usually responsible for handling patient orders and writing medical records, while Bingsheng went into surgery.
But today, after finishing the rounds, Bingsheng said to Cang: "We have two operations this morning, bed numbers 19 and 21. Both patients have acute appendicitis and are scheduled for surgery. You've seen a lot already. Today you'll observe one and perform the other!"
Hearing this, Chen Cang immediately became nervous.
Although he often watched appendectomy surgeries and even thought they were simple, the thought of actually leading one made him anxious.
After all, there is a big difference between a head chef and a sous chef.
Of course, what Chen Cang felt more was excitement!
Will he finally get to operate?
The feeling of a "first time" was overwhelming in his heart and wouldn't fade away. Today was a day worth celebrating; he'd have to share this great news with his girlfriend when he got back.
...
As a surgeon, what difference is there between not operating and being a salted fish?
At ten in the morning, Chen Cang and Chen Bingsheng arrived at the operating room.
Chen Bingsheng, seeing Chen Cang somewhat reserved, smiled and said, "An appendectomy is just a small surgery, just like what you usually see; it will be over in no time. What are you nervous about? You've seen me perform so many. When I did them, you thought I was clumsy. What now, getting cold feet?"
Chen Cang chuckled, "No way, it's just my first time!"
Chen Bingsheng sneered, "First time? Should I give you a red packet to celebrate?"
Inside the operating room, the patient was already lying down, not yet prepared for anesthesia.
While washing his hands, Chen Bingsheng said with a smile, "How about... you take the lead on the first one? Remember the procedure?"
Chen Cang was startled and tensed up inside. After recalling it, he said, "I remember!"
Bingsheng smiled, "Once the anesthesia is applied, you'll lead, and I'll assist you!"
Chen Cang nodded vigorously.
The anesthesiologist, an old acquaintance named Liu Jian, a 38-year-old man, liked to tease and tell jokes. He had a good relationship with Bingsheng. Seeing the pair's act, he immediately understood the situation.
But the patient was still conscious, so of course, nothing much could be said; adding to the patient's nervousness was unnecessary.
Rather, he gave Chen Cang an encouraging look, gave him a thumbs-up, and signaled to go for it!
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