A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

"Starting today, we will make the following adjustments: First, all surgeries of level three or above must have two sets of emergency plans;

Second, establish an intraoperative rapid consultation mechanism so that the surgeon can call for second-line support at any time, which is not considered a lack of capability.

Third, a monthly review of difficult cases should be conducted, and everyone must participate.

Nurbahati stood up: "I was the chief surgeon, so I also bear responsibility. When the adhesions were found to be complex, I should have been more proactive in offering suggestions."

"I also bear responsibility."

The head nurse chimed in, "When preparing the surgical instruments, I should have asked if any special vascular clamps were needed."

A young resident whispered, "Dr. Zhou, if it weren't for your intervention that day, the consequences could have been much more serious..."

"Whether the consequences are serious or not does not change the nature of the mistake."

Zhou Yi interrupted him, "We are doctors, and the safety of our patients is always our top priority."

The purpose of discussing this today is not to hold any particular person accountable, but to prevent the same thing from happening again.

He looked around the conference room: "Does anyone else have something to say?"

The silence lasted for more than ten seconds, then a senior attending physician spoke up: "I suggest that this debriefing be made into a training course for all residents."

"agree."

I agree.

The atmosphere was noticeably more relaxed when the meeting ended.

People left in twos and threes. Someone patted Zhou Yi on the shoulder without saying anything, but the meaning was clear.

Nurbahati, who was last, said, "Dr. Zhou, your move was brilliant."

"It's not clever, it's necessary."

Zhou Yi tidied up the materials, "If morale is low, the team can't be led."

Another week later, Elder Batel was moved to a regular ward.

The news spread like wildfire throughout the hospital.

Some say that Zhou Yi's backing suppressed the matter, some say that the family members were appeased, and others say that the surgery was actually not a problem in the first place.

The head nurse couldn't stand it anymore.

She stopped a few family members of patients who were chatting at the nurses' station. Her voice was not loud but clear enough: "Everyone, Elder Batel's surgery did have some unexpected problems, but Dr. Zhou and his team rescued him and he is recovering very well now."

Our hospital has strict procedures for handling these kinds of things. We review what needs to be reviewed and improve what needs to be improved, but the most important thing is that the patient is okay, right?

One of the family members nodded, "That's true. I heard that Dr. Zhou has been spending every day at the hospital these past few days, and he's lost a lot of weight."

"More than that. Since the day of Batel's surgery, Dr. Zhou has not gone home and has been eating in the department."

That day, when the bleeding occurred, he single-handedly held on for almost two hours; when he came down, his legs were so weak he could barely stand.

"Wow, that's some serious dedication..."

"Doctors are human too; who doesn't want to perform a good surgery?"

The head nurse sighed: "But the human body is so complex, there's no such thing as 100% certainty."

"If they can take responsibility when problems arise and bring people back to life, I think that's already quite an achievement."

In the past few days, Zhou Yi could always feel the gazes of people around him when he was getting food, and some of them were even pointing and whispering.

But on this day, a young doctor I didn't recognize walked over, whispered, "Dr. Zhou, you're really amazing," and then hurriedly left.

Nurbahati sat down opposite him, carrying a tray of food: "Have you heard anything?"

"What's the rumor?"

"Now everyone says you're a true man who dares to take responsibility."

Nurbahati laughed, "Some people said that if it had been a different doctor that day, they might have made excuses about the equipment or the patient's own condition."

Zhou Yi shook his head: "These empty titles are useless."

"it works."

Nurbahati said seriously, "At least now the young doctors in the department look at you differently."

I used to be afraid of you, now I respect you.

Elder Batel recovered quickly.

On the fifth day after being transferred to a regular ward, he was able to sit up and drink porridge on his own.

Buhe was also present during the ward rounds that day.

After checking on the elder's condition, Zhou Yi turned to Bu He and said, "You can start rehabilitation training tomorrow, beginning with sitting and standing by the bedside."

Buhe suddenly called out to him, "Dr. Zhou. My father says he wants to say a few words to you."

Zhou Yi walked to the bedside.

Although Elder Batel was still weak, his eyes were clear. He slowly raised his hand, and Zhou Yi grasped it.

"Dr. Zhou..."

Batel's voice was soft, "Thank you... for saving me..."

Zhou Yi bent down, "This is what I should do."

You should get some rest; you'll be home soon.

The elder shook his head and looked at his son: "Buhe... come here..."

Buhe walked to the bedside.

Batel looked at his son, then at Zhou Yi: "Buhe...apologize..."

Buhe's body stiffened for a moment.

Before Zhou Yi could speak, Bu He bowed deeply and said, "Dr. Zhou, I'm sorry. I was... rude before."

"You don't have to..."

"Yes, I did. I was terrified."

My mother passed away early, and my father raised us all by himself...

I can't lose him.

Zhou Yi nodded: "I understand."

"You don't understand."

Buhe smiled wryly, "I said I wanted to change doctors and hold someone accountable, but actually it was because I didn't know what to do."

Seeing my father like that, I felt incredibly useless; all I could do was vent my anger on you all…

He took a deep breath: "But I've realized these past few days that you truly care about my father."

I secretly consulted with people about all those consultation records and medication plans; they were all the best options.

"The most important thing is for us to work together to cure your father."

From that day on, Buhe's attitude completely changed. He would tell everyone how responsible Dr. Zhou was and how professional the team was.

During the last ward round, Elder Batel was already able to walk slowly on his own.

Zhou Yi and Nurbahati stood at the door of the ward, watching the old man, supported by a walker, slowly move his feet with his son's help.

"Discharged tomorrow?" Nurbaha asked.

"Yes, come for a follow-up check-up once a week after discharge, for a period of one month."

Zhou Yi wrote the last entry on the medical record.

Buhe helped his father over, and suddenly took out a blue hada (ceremonial scarf) from his bag, presenting it to Zhou Yi with both hands: "Dr. Zhou, this is a Mongolian custom, offered to the most respected person."

"And this too."

Buhe then took out a brocade banner, unfolded it somewhat embarrassedly, and it read, "Benevolent Heart and Skillful Hands, Life-Saving Grace".

The banner itself is nothing special; what is special is the densely packed signatures below it—all twenty-odd members of the Buhe family signed their names, some even writing blessings in Mongolian.

"This is too grand," Zhou Yi said.

"Of course."

"Dr. Zhou, once my father has fully recovered, please be sure to visit the grasslands."

We'll slaughter a sheep, drink wine, and sing for you!

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Okay, I'll definitely go."

After seeing Bu and his son off, Zhou Yi returned to his office and stared blankly at the banner hanging on the wall and the hada on the table for a while.

Nurbahati knocked on the door and came in: "What's wrong, feeling overwhelmed with emotion?"

"A little. We've finally gotten through this hurdle."

"It's not just over."

Nurbahati sat down opposite him. "I heard that the institute is considering listing you as a key candidate for development. After this incident, the higher-ups think you are responsible and capable of handling things."

Zhou Yi shook his head: "None of these are important."

"What's important?"

Zhou Yi looked out the window; there was the hospital gate, and Bu He was carefully helping his father into the car.

The car slowly drove away and disappeared around the street corner.

"The patient was discharged safely, and the family can go home with peace of mind."

That's the most important thing.