Chapter 588: Power Play: The True Strength Behind Hospital Quality Control

To really understand what Quality Control does, you’ve got to know what we’re actually here for. The hospital has two main departments in charge of overseeing medical quality: the Medical Department and Quality Control. Think of the Medical Department like the coaches for all medical and nursing staff—teaching each clinical team how to operate, how to improve the quality of care, everything down to the details.

This explanation was new to Zhou Can.

But as he thought about it, it did make sense. The Medical Department really is a bit like a coach—they not only help resolve doctor-patient disputes but also set out detailed demands for clinical practice, making sure staff follow the rules.

“Quality Control, on the other hand, is like the referee. We evaluate each clinical department, even grading the care of individual patients. Did they order enough tests? Were the meds appropriate? Was surgery performed by the book? Did treatment quality measure up? We check all of that. Our first group is made up of core members from multiple departments: medical management, nursing, infection control, biomedical engineering, IT, logistics, medical technology, pharmacy, and more.”

Before this, Zhou Can only knew that Quality Control had serious authority, able to manage everything and anything.

Whenever the clinical teams got penalized, they always complied without complaint.

It all made sense now. Knowing the first group draws top people from so many departments, Zhou Can finally understood why Quality Control wielded such power.

Technically, there’s no real hierarchy between the Medical Department and Quality Control.

But on the ground, Quality Control clearly carries much more weight.

Now he saw it wasn’t that the department itself held a higher rank, but because the people in Quality Control were just that impressive.

The Medical Department is run by the Chief of Medical Affairs.

But look at Quality Control: the director, who’s also group one’s leader, is Hospital Assistant Qin.

If Director Zhu weren’t so busy, they might even hold the director’s post themselves.

Still, Hospital Assistant Qin’s rank is a step above even the Medical Department’s chief.

And then you’ve got people like Deputy Director Bai and Deputy Director Ye in Quality Control—hospital-level leaders. Any one of them could outclass the entire Medical Department.

It was obvious from Hospital Assistant Qin’s words that every member on the first team was no small player.

For Zhou Can to get into this team meant he’d have chances to connect with other powerful members, broadening his network. And knowing these big shots inside the hospital would surely pay off.

“Remember this: Quality Control isn’t the housekeeper. We need balance. Clinical teams already view us warily. If we check on a department three times a day, we’ll force a rebellion. So, when we do our work, we’ve got to mind our methods—be firm when needed, but also know when to let up.”

After officially pulling Zhou Can into Quality Control, Hospital Assistant Qin began to teach him the ropes.

“These are the main cases we focus on: patient deaths during treatment, patients dying shortly after surgery, and any doctor who receives three or more complaints within a short timeframe…”

“Understood.”

Zhou Can nodded in agreement.

“Most of our work is like hit-and-run battles. Problems crop up and we go wherever we’re needed. You’re from the clinical side, so we don’t generally send you out alone. But if we need an early determination of medical responsibility or need extra support with key patients, we might call on you anytime. I know your job’s busy as is—sure you don’t want to wait a few years before picking up administrative duties?”

Even as the conversation was ending, Hospital Assistant Qin tried once more to persuade Zhou Can.

Her tone was gentle and full of concern.

“No, I’m sticking with it. You’ve got faith in me, so I can’t let you down. I’m young—I can tough it out for now.”

Zhou Can had worked hard, with help from both deputy directors, to land this role. He wasn’t about to give it up.

“Alright then, get back to work! We’ll call when something comes up.”

Hospital Assistant Qin didn’t push the matter any more.

…

Back in the Emergency Department, the hospital had already posted the announcement about his new position.

Director Lou, Deputy Director Han, and others all offered congratulations.

Having someone in Quality Control was a huge advantage for the Emergency Department.

It always helps to have someone in high places.

Even Dr. Xu was clearly delighted, though he didn’t say much.

Everyone in the OR demanded Zhou Can treat them to dinner—after all, something this big deserved a celebration.

Zhou Can couldn’t refuse.

It was a great chance to build stronger ties with his colleagues.

He booked two tables at a hotel and invited the whole OR team for a meal. Those on duty who couldn’t come got generous takeout delivered by Zhou Can himself.

When he got home that night, Su Qianqian was thrilled to hear about his promotion.

In the middle of the night, just as Zhou Can was sleeping soundly, his phone suddenly rang.

Still half-asleep, he answered.

“Hello?”

“Dr. Zhou, come to Gastroenterology right away—there’s been a sudden patient death, we need you to take a look.”

Judging by the voice, it was Hospital Assistant Qin.

Zhou Can woke up with a start. He threw on his clothes and dashed straight to the hospital.

This was his first time dealing with a death as a member of Quality Control.

No matter the case, any patient death in the hospital has to be swiftly reported to the Medical Department.

Life is paramount—especially in a hospital.

The Medical Department, as coach of clinical teams, sends staff right away to lock down all documentation and evidence and conduct a preliminary investigation.

But their word alone isn’t enough—you have to have Quality Control present for the official review.

No game without a referee.

Zhou Can had deep ties to Gastroenterology—he’d completed much of his residency training there.

He hadn’t expected his first review as a Quality Control member to happen in Gastroenterology.

When he arrived, the atmosphere was tense.

The family members were beside themselves with grief, while two men glared angrily.

After a patient dies, it’s rare for family members to look calm.

The reasonable ones follow hospital procedures—calling a hearse to take the body to the funeral home.

The more difficult ones can cause major trouble.

Sometimes they’ll even smash up the hospital or attack the staff.

At night, with so few staff on duty, handling these tragedies is even tougher.

Only a deputy chief from the Medical Department came, which was quite high-ranking already.

Quality Control sent four people: Hospital Assistant Qin, plus two others Zhou Can didn’t know—a man and a woman.

“Let me introduce everyone. This is Director Ju Shiman from Nursing, and Director Liu Shiqiu from Infection Control. Director Liu used to work in Internal Medicine and has a ton of clinical experience.” After the introductions, Qin looked at Zhou Can. “This is Dr. Zhou from Emergency and the vice leader of the OR team.”

For now, Zhou Can’s only clinical department role was vice group leader in the OR.

“The patient died suddenly half an hour ago from massive gastrointestinal bleeding and convulsions. We called you in because the family is questioning the quality of care. So the three of you are here to review the patient’s nursing and treatment. If the family is dissatisfied with your ruling, they can always request a forensic autopsy.”

Qin gave a broad outline of the situation.

In most cases, family members avoid asking for forensic reviews, since those require dissection of the body.

And in big hospitals like Tuyu, they tend to have close ties with evaluation agencies.

Unless there’s major and obvious malpractice, those findings generally favor the hospital.

Whether it’s about maintaining hospital stability or other interests, evaluation agencies usually side with hospitals.

The patient’s body hadn’t been collected yet. Since he died late at night, the attendants and body handlers were off duty.

It’d likely take a while before someone arrived to take care of things.

Zhou Can noticed the patient still had a urinary catheter in place—meaning they received some special treatment before dying.

Right then, Director Shang from Gastroenterology arrived on scene, too.

The patient’s attending doctor should have been there as well, but with the family’s emotions running so high, it made sense for them to stay away.

Totally understandable.

To protect doctors, hospitals don’t let them confront grieving families directly. If there’s any discussion to be had, the Medical Department leads the talks.

Looking at the patient, his abdomen was swollen, but his body looked extremely thin.

First off, the patient was male—pregnancy could be ruled out.

If the belly’s that swollen, it’s either gas or severe constipation.

“Once you three have the details down, head to the conference room to discuss.” Qin gave the instruction.

“Understood.”

The other two were veterans at this—experienced and quick to catch Qin’s meaning.

Zhou Can might be new, but he wasn’t clueless.

Obviously, no one could talk openly with the family watching. Doctors had to close the door, discuss privately, get their verdict, then let management handle things. After that, the Medical Department would handle explaining things to the family.

Soon, an attendant came to collect the body, and staff gently urged the family aside so they could place the patient into a body bag.

Since there was a dispute, no efforts were made with appearance restoration.

The family kept watch the whole time, not letting anyone touch the body.

The deceased wasn’t that old—probably not yet forty. Zhou Can didn’t see a devastated wife around, so there probably wasn’t one.

But there was an elderly woman sobbing her heart out.

An old man stood next to her, supporting her.

They seemed to be the couple.

Judging from their faces, there was a resemblance to the deceased. They were likely his parents.

Seeing older parents lose a grown child—it was a heartbreaking scene.

Zhou Can removed his gloves and tossed them in the trash, then headed for the conference room.

Hospital Assistant Qin sat at the head of the table, the most senior figure. The Medical Department’s deputy chief sat beside her.

Director Shang from Gastroenterology, three doctors, and two nurses sat off to one side.

Basically, those present were now cooperating with the administrative investigation, helping the Medical Department and Quality Control determine the cause and assign responsibility.

“Did the three of you finish your review?”

Qin motioned for Zhou Can and the others to sit.

“Pretty much done.”

The three found open seats to Qin’s left.

This was also Zhou Can’s first time facing Director Shang and the others as an administrative leader.

“Director Ju, were there any problems with nursing care?”

Qin turned to Director Ju Shiman from the Nursing Department.

“Hmm… The meds were basically fine, but it’s possible the urinary catheter wasn’t handled well.”

Her answer made Director Shang and their team look noticeably uneasy.