11: Chapter 11 You're not helping, you're making things worse.
According to normal logic, one would certainly trust the older, more experienced one with the title of Associate Chief Physician.
But Lu Chen's gaze was too serious.
So serious that she couldn't completely ignore him.
"Then I... I'll go talk to that doctor..."
The woman stood up and walked toward the Yellow Zone.
Lu Chen followed behind her.
He knew the upcoming conversation might be very awkward.
Because once the woman told Zhou Ze, "That young little doctor suggested I check the Myocardial Enzyme Spectrum," Zhou Ze would immediately know what Lu Chen had done behind his back.
Sure enough.
The woman entered the Yellow Zone and happened to run into her husband, who had just returned from getting an Electrocardiogram.
The Electrocardiogram results were already out, and Zhou Ze was looking at them.
"The Electrocardiogram is basically normal; there's no ST-segment elevation or obvious ST-segment depression."
"Just as I expected, it's not a heart problem."
Zhou Ze showed the Electrocardiogram report to the woman.
"Don't worry, it's nothing major."
"I'll prescribe some Oryzanol and Mecobalamin for your husband to regulate his autonomic nerves. Just go home and rest well for a few days."
The woman had originally breathed a sigh of relief.
But she remembered what Lu Chen had just said and hesitated again.
"Um, Doctor Zhou, can I add a check for... Myocardial Enzyme Spectrum? And some kind of myo... something protein?"
Zhou Ze's movements stopped.
He slowly looked up, first at the woman, then his gaze passed over her shoulder to see Lu Chen standing behind her.
Their eyes met in the air.
Zhou Ze's expression immediately darkened.
"Who told you to request an additional test?"
The woman was startled.
"It was... it was that young little doctor. He said it's best to check a bit more..."
Zhou Ze didn't look at the woman anymore; he stared directly at Lu Chen.
"Lu Chen."
"Teacher Zhou."
"Did you go and say something to the family?"
Lu Chen didn't deny it.
"I only suggested she do a few more tests."
The corner of Zhou Ze's mouth twitched.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone steady.
"You're an intern, and after I've made a clear diagnosis, you go to the family and say additional tests are needed?"
"Do you know what the consequences of doing this are?"
"The family was already at ease, but with your interference, they've started getting nervous again."
"You're not helping; you're making trouble."
The woman stood in the middle, looking left and right, the expression on her face becoming increasingly panicked.
"So, should we test or not? Is my husband okay or not? Why are you two doctors saying different things?"
The man was also sitting on the bed, looking completely baffled.
"Didn't you say I was fine? Why is there a problem again?"
The scene suddenly became somewhat chaotic.
Patients and families in the neighboring beds also began to look over and discuss in low voices.
"Is that handsome young man a doctor? He looks way too green."
"Two doctors have different opinions. Who knows who to listen to?"
"I think it's better to listen to the older one; he has more experience."
Hearing these discussions, Zhou Ze felt even more embarrassed.
He had worked in the Emergency Department for fifteen years and had never had his diagnosis publicly questioned by an intern.
This made him feel like he had lost face.
"Lu Chen, leave the Yellow Zone immediately and go back to the Green Zone."
Zhou Ze's tone was no longer a suggestion; it was a command.
"You're not suited to stay in the Yellow Zone; your foundation isn't strong enough."
Lu Chen looked at him and didn't move.
"Teacher Zhou, a normal Electrocardiogram cannot completely rule out an acute myocardial infarction, especially in the early stages. I suggest checking at least a high-sensitivity troponin."
"If the result is normal, then I was wrong, and I will apologize to you."
"But if the result is abnormal, then we might have saved a life."
"It's just a tube of blood, with results in fifteen minutes. It's worth the check."
Zhou Ze fell silent.
He stared at Lu Chen, his eyes narrowing.
This kid spoke with logic and evidence, and his attitude was neither humble nor arrogant—it wasn't the kind of reckless defiance.
But the more it was like this, the more uncomfortable it made him feel.
Because if he agreed to the additional test, it would be equivalent to admitting his diagnosis had a flaw.
And this flaw was discovered by an intern.
How could an Associate Chief Physician of fifteen years bear that?
"It's not necessary."
Zhou Ze ultimately refused.
"There's nothing wrong with my diagnosis. The Electrocardiogram results support my judgment."
"Go back to the Green Zone."
He turned to the woman.
"Don't worry, your husband's condition is very clear. It's not a heart problem."
"Just go home and rest well. If there's any discomfort later, you can come back anytime."
The woman was left at a loss by the two doctors, but in the end, she chose to believe Zhou Ze.
After all, he was an Associate Chief Physician with fifteen years of experience; if he said there was no problem, there probably wasn't one.
Although that young little doctor spoke very seriously, he just looked too young.
What if it was just theoretical knowledge he'd recently learned, and his lack of practical experience led to a wrong judgment?
"Alright, then I'll listen to Doctor Zhou."
The woman nodded and began to help her husband prepare to leave.
Lu Chen stood there, watching them walk out.
His heart was sinking.
On the system panel in his mind, that line of red warning text was still flashing.
[Warning: If no intervention is made, the patient has a high probability of suffering a massive myocardial infarction within 3 to 6 hours.]
He had tried.
He had used normal methods and proper channels to offer his suggestion to his superior doctor.
He was rejected.
He then used a roundabout way, starting with the family and letting them request the additional test.
He was still rejected.
He had done everything he could.
But what he couldn't do, he simply couldn't do.
He had no license, no qualifications, and no authority to override an Associate Chief Physician's diagnosis and forcibly order a test for a patient.
Those were the rules.
Lu Chen's fists clenched inside the pockets of his white coat.
That sense of powerlessness was even stronger than that night in the General Surgery Department.
That night, at least he could rush in.
Today, he didn't even have the chance to rush in.
Because this wasn't an ongoing surgery or a bleeding wound.
This was a patient who looked perfectly fine, able to walk and talk.
And the Electrocardiogram was normal.
In everyone's eyes, this was just a minor ailment.
Only he knew the truth.
But what was the use of knowing the truth?
No one believed him.
...
Lu Chen was sent back to the Green Zone.
Zhou Ze's characterization of him was "unauthorized interference with a superior doctor's clinical decisions, causing unnecessary panic for the family."
Although there was no formal disciplinary action, he received a verbal reprimand, and Zhao Yaqin was notified by phone.
After Zhao Yaqin returned from her meeting, she went straight to the Green Zone to find Lu Chen.
"Tell me, what happened?"
Zhao Yaqin's tone wasn't harsh, but it wasn't light either.
Lu Chen recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
Including why he thought the patient had a myocardial infarction, his rejected suggestion to Zhou Ze, and his rejected suggestion to the family.
After listening, Zhao Yaqin frowned and thought for a moment.
"You think it's an inferior wall myocardial infarction?"
"Yes."
"On what basis? The Electrocardiogram is normal."
"An inferior wall myocardial infarction can present as a normal Electrocardiogram in the early stages, especially within two to three hours of onset. The changes can be very subtle and easily overlooked."
"Furthermore, he has a history of hyperlipidemia, works under long-term high pressure, and has been staying up late consecutively. These are all high-risk factors for coronary heart disease."
"Although his symptoms aren't typical, the combination of chest tightness, cold sweats, nausea, and neck discomfort points strongly toward the possibility of acute coronary syndrome."
Zhao Yaqin glanced at him.
"What you've said does indeed make sense from a medical theory perspective."
"But the problem is, you currently have no objective evidence to support your judgment."
"The Electrocardiogram is normal, the physical examination shows no obvious abnormalities, and the patient himself feels fine."
"On what grounds do you expect an Associate Chief Physician to overturn his own diagnosis?"