Chapter 651 - 299: Perhaps This Is the Final Companionship, Saving a Life
He already got married, and his life should have been very happy.
He’s not that old, only in his forties.
When the illness struck, he was only about twenty-six or twenty-seven, the prime of his life.
Being called a useless person by his wife is not unjustified.
"From the current test results, it seems that his issues are caused by low potassium, right? Is potassium supplementation ineffective?"
Li Jingsheng turned to ask Director Kuo.
Discussing the patient’s condition in the ward, he had no choice but to speak his mind.
He meant no disrespect to Director Kuo’s medical skills.
"Since he was admitted last night and the issue was identified, we have already administered potassium and fluids, but the effect is negligible. In my nearly thirty years of practice, I’ve never seen a case like this."
Director Kuo seemed helpless.
Despite identifying the patient’s cause, and the symptoms being obvious, under normal circumstances, potassium supplementation should yield results quickly.
However, this patient’s situation is extraordinarily unique.
After potassium supplementation, it was like throwing a stone into the sea.
Oxygen therapy seemed to have no improvement on respiratory symptoms.
The problem is ten times more severe than imagined.
"Let me listen to the heart sounds!"
Upon hearing this, Li Jingsheng’s expression became instantly serious, with a hint of gravity.
Based on his keen judgment developed from his clinic experience, if not handled properly, this patient’s condition might deteriorate rapidly with a risk of death.
After listening to the patient’s heart sounds, his expression became even graver.
"Are you feeling chest tightness now?"
"Yes! Like several mountains are pressing down, and when I breathe, it’s like my nose is blocked."
The patient said.
"Director Kuo, let’s talk outside!"
Li Jingsheng looked at the woman; the family could listen too.
The woman was still engrossed in her phone, reluctant to follow along.
She showed complete indifference to her husband’s condition.
"Let’s talk in your office!"
Li Jingsheng looked at Director Kuo.
"I don’t have a private office, we can discuss in the doctor’s office or the consultation room."
Director Kuo’s old face flushed.
Some deputy chief physicians at the Second Hospital, doing slightly better, have their own offices.
But as a department director, not having a private office is indeed a bit embarrassing.
Li Jingsheng has long experienced the harshness of hospitals.
There’s nothing to complain about; hospitals are commercial units that need to earn profits to pay salaries and cover various expenses.
Clinical doctors unable to create benefits for the hospital are inevitably marginalized.
Even in the First Hospital, with its rigid systems and rampant seniority issues, incompetent doctors still go unnoticed.
The three entered the consultation room.
The decor was quite decent.
On the table was the sign of Gastroenterology Director Xiao Linlin, indicating that the consultation room was shared by two departments.
It’s a bit awkward, feeling like the Endocrinology Department is just parasitic under the Gastroenterology Department.
"The patient’s condition is more severe than imagined, I suggest immediately opening two lines for potassium supplementation, while increasing oral potassium. If still ineffective, I recommend immediate transfer."
Li Jingsheng spoke decisively.
"I felt something was amiss with this patient, that’s why I urgently asked you to come over."
Director Kuo seemed to also have a bad feeling.
"Has your husband been treated at another hospital for his long-term hypokalemia?"
"Yes! We’ve been to a community health service center near our home many times, and after injections, his condition improves. This time it’s severe, injections aren’t effective there, they advised us to go to a bigger hospital."
The woman spoke casually about her husband’s illness.
Seemed nonchalant.
It’s no wonder, over the years, each time after treatment at the community center, the patient improved.
She has become accustomed to it.
Even with the aggravated condition this time, she still thinks it’s not a big deal, just find a bigger hospital to cure it.
"Since that’s the case, I suggest you transfer immediately. It’s best to go to the People’s Hospital or Qiaobang Hospital; they are top-tier provincial hospitals with more advanced equipment and richer treatment experience than ours."
Li Jingsheng advised the woman.
He wasn’t making decisions for Director Kuo, but sensed the patient’s condition was bad, the treatment capability here was limited, the best solution was for the patient to go quickly to a better tier-3 hospital.
"There’s no money at home! I heard the four best hospitals in Jiangli City, besides the People’s Hospital and Qiaobang Hospital, are just you and the Medical University Affiliated Hospital. You’re closer, and your fees are lower, that’s why we came here."
Before coming, the woman didn’t randomly pick a hospital.
She did some investigation.
"Director Kuo, what should we do now?"
Li Jingsheng looked at Director Kuo.
After all, the patient belongs to the Endocrinology Department, it’s not appropriate to make decisions for others and push the patient away?
Currently, the family seems to want to stay at the Second Hospital for treatment.
"As you suggested, let’s open two lines, increase the potassium dosage and try again."
Director Kuo was evidently also not willing to give up.
Sometimes no one can say for sure about a patient’s treatment.
Perhaps increasing the potassium dosage might quickly improve the patient’s condition.
"Also, I suggest, since the patient has paralysis symptoms now, maybe we can ask an anesthesiologist to help with a consultation?"