Chapter 283: The Birth of the Crisis Response Team

Doctors with experience handling emergencies across multiple departments are hard to come by.

In almost every major hospital, only the Emergency Department and Critical Care Department can claim to have such versatile doctors.

Even now, the Emergency Department has been subdivided into several specialized branches in many big hospitals. As a result, doctors skilled in holistic emergency care are becoming increasingly rare.

“Who exactly is Director Zhang referring to? I don’t think any of us here fit that description.” Director Jiang glanced around, making the other directors and associate chief physicians shift uncomfortably.

Everyone was a seasoned colleague, well-aware of each other’s strengths and specializations.

The more accomplished an expert becomes, the narrower their specialization.

Because to be an expert, you have to choose one or two specialties and dedicate yourself. The idea of a ‘generalist expert’ just doesn’t exist in today’s world.

You can’t chew more than you can swallow.

Those who dabble a little in everything never really become experts—just jacks-of-all-trades.

“We might not have anyone like that among the directors, but isn’t Dr. Zhou Can from the younger generation exactly the kind of multi-talented doctor we need?” Zhang Bihua hit the nail on the head.

But the other doctors reacted even more strongly.

Several of them looked genuinely alarmed and hurried to voice objections.

“Director Zhang, I have to protest! Dr. Zhou is certainly outstanding, but he’s still in his residency and lacks the experience to handle things on his own. Leading a crisis rescue team with high-risk patients is like dancing on a knife’s edge. Putting him in charge could put him and all of us in danger.”

Director Jiang was seriously rattled.

He’d thought Director Zhang was a solid, steady person, but he never expected such a reckless proposal. Assembling a crisis response team was one thing, but putting a green rookie in charge was just outrageous.

This was getting out of hand.

“I’m against this too. No matter how capable young doctors are, their ability to react to emergencies and handle psychological pressure is limited. Their clinical rescue experience is limited as well. This isn’t a game—one slip and a life is lost, and Tuyu’s reputation would take a huge hit.”

Another chief physician spoke up in disagreement.

“Just because Dr. Zhou pulled off a major save with that bronchitis case doesn’t mean we should put him on a pedestal. I don’t mind if he joins the team and participates in rescues—he’s definitely competent. But making him team leader? That’s too risky. Please reconsider, Director Zhang.”

Director Dai from Pediatrics offered her perspective too.

Zhou Can saving that child was a lifesaver for her personally, and she owed him much.

If Zhang Bihua’s suggestion hadn’t been quite so outlandish, she’d never have objected.

With everyone pushing back, even Director Zhang realized he couldn’t push this through alone.

After a moment’s thought, he came up with a compromise.

“All right then. Since this is a newly created crisis response team, there are bound to be plenty of risks and unknowns. It makes sense to be cautious with the team leader selection. The points everyone raised are good ones. To mitigate risk, Director Shi will be the team leader starting tomorrow. Dr. Zhou Can will be the deputy. We’ll also add another attending physician—Dr. Pang, you’ve trained in both Emergency and Critical Care and have experience with rescues. Join the team as a member for now.”

Zhang Bihua made the call right there, picking a temporary team leader and an attending physician for the crisis response team.

“Sounds good!”

Dr. Pang was a woman in her late thirties. She wasn’t particularly striking, but her figure was impressive. Her skin was pale and smooth, and with her wavy shoulder-length hair, she had a subtle allure that would make any man take notice.

Doctors usually have an air of professionalism about them.

Especially at large hospitals like this, that’s even more apparent.

Young doctors here generally have at least a bachelor’s degree. Just four years on a university campus can transform a person, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly.

“We’ll need two more nurses—ideally, one of them should be a surgical nurse.”

With the doctors chosen, Director Zhang turned to nurse selection.

Usually, with three doctors and two nurses, the team is set.

“Chen Qingling, you’re our full-time instrument nurse in Obstetrics. From tomorrow on, your main job is to be ready to respond to any emergency with the crisis team. Ji You, you’ve worked in Critical Care and have rich experience assisting in rescues. You’re in the team too.”

In one go, he picked two top-notch nurses for the crisis response team.

With that, the team was officially formed.

Now, it just needed a real emergency to put its abilities to the test.

“From tomorrow, whenever your assigned patients show signs of crisis, the five of you must take immediate action. The attending specialists can focus on their consultations as usual, no disruption.”

Zhang Bihua addressed the five of them.

This arrangement really was a good one.

With the crisis team in place, the specialists could focus on patients without worrying about emergencies.

“If anyone still has good suggestions, now’s the time to speak up. In short, do everything possible to make this expert consultation event a complete success—at least delivering the expected results.”

After that, everyone chimed in with more suggestions for improvement.

When rare or difficult cases came up, it was agreed on the spot to hold instant case discussions. Gathering everyone’s wisdom should help diagnose patients as quickly as possible.

It could only help the overall outcome.

Twenty minutes later, the meeting wrapped up.

Section Chief Tang arrived right on cue and led everyone to the cafeteria for a meal.

Even though it was cafeteria food, there were plenty of options. It was clear Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital went above and beyond to treat these experts well.

And rightly so. They’d all come to lend their support, helping the hospital restore its reputation and get back to normal operations.

After eating, Section Chief Tang led them to the hotel for a break.

They checked in at a three-star hotel which, all things considered, was pretty nice.

Almost everyone had a double room.

Of course, it wasn’t some fantasy where a male doctor and a female nurse shared a room. Rather, two male doctors to a room and two female nurses to another.

Director Zhang roomed with Yang Chan—like mother and daughter, their relationship was close and comfortable.

It was obvious how much Director Zhang cherished Yang Chan.

It really wasn’t easy to pick an heir for the Obstetrics Department.

Back then, hospital competition wasn’t nearly as tough as it is now, and patient expectations were much lower.

As long as you could cure the ailment, that was enough.

That resulted in a whole generation of male obstetricians.

But now, with people’s lifestyles improving, patients are much more aware of privacy. Especially in Obstetrics, female patients almost always prefer to see a female doctor.

Male doctors do still exist, but they’re getting rarer by the year.

……

The next morning, Zhou Can was up early, heading out for a run.

Keeping fit had always been his habit—he believed every man should have a strong body.

Just as he stepped outside, he bumped into Yang Chan, also in her sports gear and out for a jog.

He’d never seen her in tight athletic wear before, but now, seeing those graceful curves and all the right angles, Zhou Can couldn’t help but be stunned. He’d never realized her figure was this good.

He’d always remembered how pretty her face was.

“Morning, Class Monitor!”

Zhou Can greeted her with a grin.

Yang Chan could definitely feel the appreciative look he was giving her. She looked self-conscious, especially remembering how she’d said yesterday that she wanted to follow him and tackle the problem of cancer together.

“Morning!”

Her reply was a bit awkward, and she avoided making eye contact.

“Girls really do change as they grow. You look even better in sportswear, Class Monitor!” Zhou Can never held back when it came to giving compliments.

“You trying to get yourself killed? All you think about is trouble!”

She shot him a shy, angry glare, half in mock outrage.

“Haha, a man’s upper body is refinement, his lower body is nature. Liking pretty women—it’s just instinct. Stay safe out there. See ya!”

Zhou Can waved and jogged off, not caring about her blushing cheeks or the fire in her eyes.

He laughed all the way down the road.

“Dead Zhou Can, you even dare tease the class monitor? You’re getting bold!” Yang Chan stamped her foot, then glanced down at her workout clothes.

Aren’t all athletic outfits like this?

Only the young have bodies this good.

If you get older and stop being disciplined—with your diet or regular exercise—it doesn’t take long for your figure to go out of shape.

Medically speaking, once women hit thirty, their bodies start going downhill.

Especially after having kids, it’s easy for their figures to change noticeably.

So those single women in their thirties demanding sky-high bride prices really ought to wake up. They still think they’re sweet young things! Give it a few more years, and by forty, they’ll really be ‘leftover warriors.’

Want to find a good husband then? That’s nearly impossible.

Zhou Can was in great spirits. Getting to enjoy Yang Chan’s beauty that early in the morning sent his dopamine levels through the roof.

According to studies, men who enjoy looking at beautiful women are healthier and younger, and even have a lower risk of serious illness.

The science is that seeing an attractive woman triggers the body to release lots of beneficial hormones. That keeps men in a better mood, with a more optimistic outlook.

These men also tend to be more active and driven at work.

After more than half an hour of running, Zhou Can returned to the hotel. Sticking to routine, he took a quick shower before settling in with a book until it was time for work.

Deputy Director Shi was a lot older than Zhou Can and had just gotten up.

He noticed Zhou Can returning from his run, drenched in sweat, and couldn’t help but praise him: “Didn’t realize Dr. Zhou wasn’t just skilled but so disciplined too!” Colleagues rarely know each other’s habits outside of work.

This time sharing a room, he felt like he got to know Zhou Can a bit better.

“Haha, I’ve just gotten used to it. If I don’t get out for some fresh air in the morning, I feel restless all day.”

Zhou Can responded with a grin.

He grabbed his clothes and took a quick shower. Just as he was about to sit down and read, someone called out that breakfast was ready.

They made their way together to the hotel restaurant, where Section Chief Tang had already arranged breakfast for everyone.

He’d shown up early to escort the experts back to Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital for consultations.

The level of hospitality was impressive.

At a nearby table, a young couple was also having breakfast, but the young woman let out a pained groan, clutching her stomach. That immediately caught Zhou Can’s attention.

Doctors are especially sensitive to people in pain.

Guess that’s part of the job.

Zhou Can kept an eye on her while eating.

Stomach pain is pretty common—catching a chill or eating something bad can easily cause it.

Even food that’s too spicy or irritating can lead to a stomachache.

Usually, with some rest and a trip to the bathroom, people recover on their own.

Stomach pain is much less dangerous than chest pain.

When someone suffers chest pain—especially if it lasts—it can be life-threatening.

That’s why major hospitals have Chest Pain Centers and special emergency routes for these cases: to save lives when seconds count.

Since stomachaches are generally less risky, Zhou Can didn’t rush over right away, just kept watching the young woman while he ate.

Time ticked by.

The woman’s boyfriend comforted her attentively. You could see how close this young couple was.

A moment later, her pain didn’t ease but actually got worse.

Her face turned pale, sweat beaded on her forehead.

Even her lips looked frighteningly white.

Zhou Can’s expression grew serious. Considering the couple spent the night at the hotel, they probably got intimate. If things were rough, or if it was her first time, heavy bleeding was possible.

Her pale face could be from severe pain or blood loss.

Zhou Can glanced, almost instinctively, at her jeans. No sign of bloodstains though.

Usually, if blood soaks through the pants, things are dire.

Having finished breakfast, he headed straight for their table.

“Excuse me, I’m a doctor. I noticed your stomach seems to hurt quite a bit. Are you all right?” Zhou Can asked gently.

The boyfriend looked at Zhou Can and brightened.

“You’re a doctor? That’s great! My girlfriend started having stomach pains after she got up this morning. At first, we thought she was just hungry, but eating didn’t help. She barely touched her food and kept complaining of pain.”

He looked about twenty, still boyish.

She was about the same age—nineteen or twenty—really young.

She bit her lip, brows tightly furrowed. The pain was clearly getting worse.

“Have you ever had pain like this before?” Zhou Can asked.

“Sometimes, but it always went away quickly. This time it’s lasting much longer, and it’s really, really bad—like someone’s cutting my stomach with a knife.”

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Would you mind leaning back a little so I can check exactly where it hurts?” Zhou Can made sure to ask for permission. Otherwise, reaching for her stomach in front of her boyfriend could get him a plate or a chair thrown his way.

The young woman hesitated and looked at her boyfriend.

“He’s a doctor. Let him check you out—it’s fine,” her boyfriend said, easygoing and trusting.

She leaned back, exposing her abdomen as much as she could.

Zhou Can lifted her outer shirt and began pressing gently over various areas, through the layer of inner clothing.

It would be ideal to lift the inner shirt too, but considering the difference between men and women, and the fact that her case wasn’t immediately critical, Zhou Can refrained.

A doctor’s manner must always be upright and serious.

Otherwise, it’s easy to lose the trust of patients and families.

Once that trust is gone, treating the patient becomes almost impossible.

Whatever the doctor does will be seen in a negative light.

For example, if a doctor checks a female patient’s pulse, she might think he’s just taking advantage.

If he prescribes imported medicine for a better result, the patient may assume he’s ignoring the cheaper domestic options to make more money.

How can you treat people in that environment?

The hospital’s complaint lines would ring off the hook.

Doctors have to pay careful attention to their conduct—only by building a good image do they win the trust needed to treat patients smoothly.

Sometimes, trust alone can determine a treatment’s outcome.

If a patient needs a risky surgery and can’t trust their doctor, they’ll never agree to it.

Some cases are so tough they’d make any doctor want to give up, but with a patient’s unwavering trust, and that hope shining through, the doctor finds the strength to keep going—until a miracle cure is finally achieved.

Stories like these aren’t rare at all.

Pressing on her stomach, Zhou Can found the area above her navel soft, but lower left abdomen tense. Muscle tightness can be caused by many things, most often pain.

Pain often makes the muscles tense up.

“Ouch—ouch…”

The woman cried out in pain. Clearly, he’d found the right spot.

“Hang on, I don’t think this is where the real problem is.”

Zhou Can moved his hand lower.

Her boyfriend’s face changed, seeing Zhou Can’s hand approaching the groin area—right at the top of her thigh.