Chapter 71

Cheng Xiaohong distributed the photocopied documents to everyone. Yu Mo glanced at them and saw that the patient's family had put forward several conditions. The main two were: first, the attending doctor must admit to a misdiagnosis and apologize to the patient in person.

Yu Mo felt a headache; she could not agree to this condition. She admitted her diagnostic error, but it had a reason. If the ultrasound report had not misled her, she would not have made such a judgment. Moreover, the laboratory test results did not support the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy.

At most, it was a missed diagnosis. She had also suggested that the patient rest more and observe her condition, and to come back to the hospital for a follow-up if any abnormalities occurred.

Another condition was that Changxing Hospital refund all medical expenses and cover all costs related to the patient's emergency surgery at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, as well as provide compensation for nutritional and lost wages. This was not unreasonable, as there were legal bases for nutritional and lost wage compensation. However, the demand for compensation for mental distress was too high, with the patient's family requesting three million yuan.

Yan Huiyi took a sip of tea and said, "Everyone, after reading this, please share your opinions. Zhao Xiaohui is a host at Dongzhou TV, with considerable public recognition in the city. If this matter is exposed, it will cause significant social repercussions. Our hospital's reputation cannot withstand repeated damage."

Wang Zhaogang noticed that the patient's conditions did not mention their department and secretly felt relieved. He was very clear that they could not avoid any responsibility in this matter. Before the 21st century, the income gap between clinical and auxiliary departments was not so large, and auxiliary departments were rarely involved in medical disputes.

However, after the 21st century, with the reform of the hospital's distribution system, the income of clinical doctors soared, while auxiliary departments remained stagnant. The imbalance in income quickly led to an imbalance in status. Although this could be tolerated, as clinical departments were the core value creators of the hospital.

Strangely, auxiliary departments began to face more and more medical disputes. Some were indeed due to their own reasons, but others were because patients targeted clinical doctors, who then involved auxiliary departments.

Wang Zhaogang's attitude represented the general mindset of auxiliary department doctors today: you have such high income, and we have such low income, so why should we bear the same responsibility?

Seeing that no one was willing to speak, Yan Huiyi had to call on people to speak.

The first person called was Yu Mo, who first explained the basics of ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy process where the fertilized egg implants and develops outside the uterine cavity. It is also known as an ectopic pregnancy. The most common type is a tubal pregnancy. The cause is often inflammation of the fallopian tube or surrounding area, which leads to poor patency of the tube, obstructing the normal movement of the fertilized egg, causing it to remain, implant, and develop in the fallopian tube, leading to a tubal pregnancy miscarriage or rupture. Before the miscarriage or rupture, there are often no obvious symptoms, but there may be missed periods, abdominal pain, and slight bleeding.

The main auxiliary tests are ultrasound and blood HCG. When the patient came to see her, these two tests did not indicate an ectopic pregnancy. Yu Mo based her judgment on the patient's clinical symptoms and auxiliary tests, and she did not admit to a misdiagnosis, considering this incident at most a missed diagnosis.

She believed that the patient's demand for three million yuan in compensation was unreasonable, as her current condition was not directly caused by her. Whether or not she came to Changxing for treatment, the fact of her ectopic pregnancy would not change.

Yan Huiyi nodded. In fact, everyone involved in the discussion believed that the compensation amount was unreasonable, as the patient's ectopic pregnancy was not caused by the hospital; the hospital only failed to provide a timely and correct diagnosis.

Yu Mo said, "I can say with confidence that even if she had not come to Changxing, and gone to any hospital in the city, based on these clinical symptoms and auxiliary tests, they would have diagnosed her with an early intrauterine pregnancy."

Wang Zhaogang frowned, sensing that Yu Mo was trying to shift responsibility to them: "Director Yu, I don't agree with your statement. Why did the patient's ectopic pregnancy get diagnosed at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital?"

"That was because she had an acute abdominal condition at the time!" Yu Mo was clearly agitated.

"Director Yu is not wrong. The ultrasound report shows an early intrauterine pregnancy," Yan Huiyi had reviewed the medical records several times.

Wang Zhaogang said, "Since I am asked to participate in this discussion, I will say a few words. Director Yu repeatedly emphasizes that the ultrasound report misled her, leading to her misjudgment. Everyone can carefully examine this report. The doctor's conclusion is an early intrauterine pregnancy sonogram. Does anyone know what a sonogram is?"

Wang Zhaogang looked around, and no one spoke. Xu Chunliang did not understand ultrasound, but he could read people's intentions. In the face of responsibility, Yu Mo and Wang Zhaogang began to shift blame, trying to clear themselves.

Wang Zhaogang pointed to the bottom of the report: "Everyone, please note the small print at the bottom of the report: 'This report is for clinical reference only.'"

Yu Mo said, "Director Wang, your words are meaningless. Are you trying to say that clinical departments bear no responsibility for any issues, and that you will not take any responsibility?"

"I am not saying that. I am just stating the facts."

"Then let's stick to the facts. Director Wang, what did your ultrasound doctor base their conclusion of an early intrauterine pregnancy sonogram on? Did they see a clear yolk sac? You can't just say it's an auxiliary department and avoid all responsibility. Each of your reports is extremely important for our clinical diagnosis, and you can't just say it's for clinical reference and push all the responsibility onto us."

"Yu Mo, be clear. Who is trying to shirk responsibility?"

Yu Mo did not back down: "I am not unfamiliar with ultrasound. Your ultrasound reports are becoming increasingly vague. To avoid risks, you never give clear conclusions, and each report is ambiguous."

"You wouldn't say that if you understood ultrasound! Do you know what an imaging test is? If we gave a clear diagnosis for every report, that would be unscientific and irresponsible. If we could make clear diagnoses, what would be the point of having doctors like you?"

Seeing the argument escalating, Yan Huiyi had to intervene, slamming his teacup on the table with a loud thud: "What a mess!"

Yu Mo and Wang Zhaogang stopped arguing simultaneously.

Yan Huiyi looked at them and nodded: "Now is not the time to discuss who should bear how much responsibility, but how to respond to the patient's demands. I have one question for you: do you think you made any mistakes in Zhao Xiaohui's case? If not, I can immediately reject her conditions."

Yu Mo and Wang Zhaogang exchanged glances, neither daring to claim they had made no mistakes and bore no responsibility.

"Your silence proves that you both recognize your responsibility in this matter. Since you are responsible, Changxing must compensate the patient accordingly. However, three million yuan..." Yan Huiyi looked at Xu Chunliang, who had not spoken: "Xu, isn't that too high?"

Xu Chunliang smiled: "We've seen even more outrageous demands."

Medical compensation is similar to business negotiations. Patients make high demands, and hospitals make low offers. In this process, both sides gradually compromise, moving toward a final agreed-upon price.

Huang Lide saw this as an opportunity to show his worth and said passionately, "Three million yuan is too outrageous. How much do you compensate for a death, and her ectopic pregnancy was not caused by us."

Xu Chunliang rolled his eyes and remained silent. This idiot really liked to show off. Although the two new members, Huang Lide and Yang Zhengang, were not good people, Yang Zhengang had become more obedient after being disciplined, while Huang Lide was more annoying.

Yan Huiyi said, "Director Huang, I think you should take charge of this. Try to negotiate a mutually acceptable amount with the patient."

Huang Lide nodded, enjoying the title of "Director Huang." Although Yan Huiyi's position in the hospital was awkward, he was still a deputy director.

Yan Huiyi continued, "Zhao Xiaohui is still hospitalized at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. I think our hospital should take a stance soon. Cheng, you represent the hospital to visit her and gauge her intentions."

"Sure, Director Yan."

Yan Huiyi did not assign specific tasks to Xu Chunliang, as he could sense Xu's reluctance in this matter. He himself was unclear about Zhao Feiyang's intentions. Although he publicly announced that Xu Chunliang would lead the Medical Affairs Department, the organizational department had not issued a formal document.

Now, the Medical Affairs Department had added two members, Huang Lide and Yang Zhengang, both of whom had more seniority than Xu Chunliang.

Yan Huiyi believed that the vacant position of Medical Affairs Department Director would most likely go to Huang Lide. He did not care who took the position; he was more concerned about his own future.

After the meeting, Xu Chunliang found him and submitted an application. There was a short-term training program on new-era doctor-patient relations in Nanjiang next week, and Xu Chunliang wanted to attend.

Yan Huiyi had been in his deputy position for many years and had a deep understanding of human nature. Xu Chunliang was probably just venting his frustration.

Actually, such external training did not require his signature; the Medical Affairs Department could handle it internally. However, since the department did not have a clear director, it was normal for Xu Chunliang to seek his superior's approval.

Yan Huiyi did not create any obstacles and signed the application for Xu Chunliang.