The combined surgery, which was originally expected to finish in five hours with a success rate as high as 71%, extended to nine hours because of Ben’s mistake.
In the end… the patient still couldn’t be saved.
Ben’s body went weak, and he nearly collapsed in the operating room.
Chris remained silent and quietly stepped down from the table.
This time, no one could save Ben anymore.
expectedly
The elder professor took Ben out to announce the patient’s death, while Chris sat in the changing room, having already washed the fresh blood from his hands, feeling utterly exhausted as he sat in the chair.
The fatigue from several consecutive hours of surgery lingered without fading.
He hadn’t expected that Ben’s resentment toward him would cost life.
Actually, after Chris finished his part of the surgery, it had almost guaranteed the patient’s success, the orthopedic surgery was just a small portion.
Unexpectedly…
Jake also came in and stood behind Chris.
“The patient’s family is crying and causing a scene outside the operating room.”
“After today, Ben can no longer stay at the hospital.”
How the surgery failed must be told to the patient’s family, but it absolutely could not be revealed that Ben’s personal emotions caused it.
The hospital began to find reasons from the patient’s side–not to shirk responsibility, but because if people found out a doctor’s personal emotions killed a patient, their hospital would have to close down.
The first meeting after Chris’s appointment came quickly.
Chris was extremely tired, sitting in the chairman’s seat, with familiar colleagues on both sides.
Each department began to state their opinions.
“Ben’s emotional state really makes him unsuitable to stay at the hospital, but he’s been here at the Summit Infirmary for so many years. Just firing him directly… how about transferring him to logistics? Then he wouldn’t have to perform surgeries anymore.”
The elder professor slammed the table. “That’s a human life!”
The anesthesia department also said, “Well… Actually, after the first half of the surgery, it was basically declared successful. This old man had been coming to the hospital for five or six years, always having his daughter–in–law bring snacks for everyone. I think we can’t just let this slide.”
There was much debate, and eventually, someone looked toward Chris.
“What does the chairman say?”
The elder professor pushed up his glasses.
“The whole surgery process was monitored. It truly was Ben’s responsibility. The Summit Infirmary can’t bear that responsibility, but Ben… he definitely can’t escape it.”
“No need to transfer him to logistics anymore.” Chris’s voice was cold, carrying a chill.
1/2
Chapter 90
+25 BONUS
He lifted his eyelids and looked at everyone who spoke up for Ben
“We are doctors. From the moment we stand at the operating table we bear a life in our hands. Under no circumstances are we allowed to treat life like grass. Fire Ben.”
There were still many procedures to follow for dismissal, even needing to notify Jessica.
Having missed a proper meal, Chris returned home and felt uneasy facing the darkness in the house.
He had only been at the Summit Infirmary a few months and was very familiar with the patient, but he had heard from colleagues that the man was kind and gentle, never troubling anyone.
He also never troubled the nurses at night.
Such a good person–he had clearly opened a path for life, allowing him to peacefully spend his later years.
So why? Why such an ending?
His personal grudge with Ben shouldn’t have involved others, and certainly shouldn’t have caused the death of such a good man.
At that moment, Chris suddenly felt that sitting in this position wasn’t bad after all–at least it would prevent mistakes from continuing.
During the meeting, many people said Ben had no great merits but had put in effort at the hospital, transferring him to logistics to do some small tasks was enough.
He only had a few years left before retirement, so there was no need to be
