The Surgeon's Studio

Zheng Ren had no idea how much treatment would cost.

The implementation of the new rural cooperative medical system had provided more opportunities for farmers to receive treatment and improve their quality of life.

However, based on Zheng Ren’s experience, once medical charges exceeded ten thousand yuan, the chances of them giving up treatment were very high.

“I’ll try to minimize the surgery cost between five to eight thousand yuan,” replied Zheng Ren after a long pause to run the numbers. If he used the surgical supplies provided by Changfeng Microinvasive Surgery, the cost would be easier to control.

Moreover, part of the medical expenses would be reimbursed later, so the patient would have fewer financial issues.

Even so, the men’s expression remained gloomy.

Just as Zheng Ren was about to comfort them, he suddenly thought of something else.

“By the way, do you know anything about avascular necrosis of the femoral head?” he asked.

“No, this is the first time I’ve heard about it.” The short man was still overwhelmed by the incredible cost, his heart shattered to pieces.

“This disease can’t be completely cured by just surgery and stopping the white pills,” Zheng Ren said sincerely, “Surgery can only restore blood supply for a certain period of time. If you’re involved in heavy labor or other similar things, your condition is likely to recur, but if you don’t receive any treatment and allow your disease to progress from stage one to three, you’ll need a hip replacement surgery, which will cost you around a hundred thousand yuan.”

Five to eight thousand yuan was a huge amount, but a hundred thousand yuan was simply astronomical.

The men’s expressions sank immediately.

“Give me your phone number, and you can return home to discuss the matter with your family. If you’ve saved up some money, I advise you to receive treatment when there isn’t much farm work to attend to. You’ll recover quicker that way.”

The men nodded vigorously.

“By the way, if you decide to come, ask for reimbursement from your local medical insurance company first. Best you complete any necessary procedures in advance before spending any money here. Otherwise, you might not be able to receive any reimbursement.

“Although the reimbursement rate isn’t that good, it’s better to save cost whenever possible, right? I’ll also try to minimize your surgery fee as much as possible.”

“Doctor Zheng, thank you.” The tall man bowed deeply and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

“No worries.” Zheng Ren waved his hand. “Go back and speak to your family. Give me a call if you plan on receiving treatment.”

He then took a piece of A4 paper from the printer and wrote the department phone number on it.

As for his personal phone number… Unless absolutely necessary, he would never give it to strangers.

The tachycardic feeling that came whenever his phone rang was too agonizing.

Zheng Ren had recently even considered metoprolol tablets or any medication that could reduce his heart rate.

The men thanked Zheng Ren again and left the office. He stretched lazily and hoped the emergency department would not be busy today as his novel was still waiting for him.

He had to study the prostate after his novel session was over…

The thought of the prostate slightly annoyed Zheng Ren. How was interventional radiology going to work with no major arterial supply? However, since Old Chief Physician Pan had placed a high value on this matter, he would still do his best.

In Zheng Yunxia’s medical records, Zheng Ren began writing intraoperative procedures.

Chang Yue’s existence had drastically reduced Zheng Ren’s workload.

A detailed medical history upon admission, disease progression, laboratory test results, preoperative discussions, resuscitation records, multidisciplinary consultations, transferral records and discharge summary…

This series of trivial and frustrating work was overwhelming. Zheng Ren was glad that Chang Yue was in charge of it now, which invigorated him a lot.

He made a phone call after the paperwork was complete. Old Chief Physician Pan was in his office.

After notifying Chang Yue, he went downstairs and headed there.

He knocked on the door, entered the room and went straight to the point.

“Chief Physician Pan, I have just received a patient with stage one avascular necrosis of the femoral head,” said Zheng Ren.

“Dexamethasone-induced again?” Old Chief Physician Pan figured it out without inquiring further.

He was not a prophet, but he had seen and consulted many similar cases in the past.

“Yes,” replied Zheng Ren.

“What’s your plan?” Old Chief Physician Pan asked, suddenly raising his head as if recalling something important.

“Interventional radiology. Not only can it be used to embolize an artery, it also can unclog a blocked blood vessel.”

“Interventional radiology, angiology subspecialty. Are you sure you can do it?”

“It’s not a problematic issue,” Zheng Ren replied, “Interventional radiological treatment for avascular necrosis of the femoral head is the simplest of its kind.”

“Okay.” Old Chief Physician Pan was immersed in thought.

Zheng Ren remained silent as he believed Old Chief Physician Pan already knew what was coming next.

“I’ll visit the province in my free time,” Old Chief Physician Pan said, “I’ve come to understand the qualification issue. Our hospital is certified, but I have to acquire a permit from the provincial health department to transfer ownership of interventional radiology to the emergency department.”

“You’re going to handle it personally?”

“Of course. If we wait for hospital management to handle this issue, it’ll be settled in a few years, and you would probably be in the south then.” Old Chief Physician Pan was not mocking him, merely stating a fact.

“…”

Zheng Ren was speechless when it came to this issue.

He had no plans to go to the south now. He had to at least become a deputy senior consultant before doing so.

However, if he was promoted in the future, would he even leave Sea City General Hospital?

The multiple-choice question was gut-wrenching.

Zheng Ren had seen an online recruitment notice from a newly-constructed government hospital in Xiamen with a phrase written on it—earn a living with dignity and honesty.

Various historical reasons had reduced payloads for all medical practitioners. This was beyond reproach.

How could one choose between monthly incomes of four thousand and forty thousand yuan? The answer was clear.

Old Chief Physician had recently brought up this issue repeatedly, obviously unwilling to hinder Zheng Ren’s future and financial prospects.

The old man’s kindness and generosity warmed Zheng Ren’s heart.

“I’m still undecided. What if, in the future, our hospital can provide a higher salary just like the ones in the south?” Zheng Ren smiled.

“I won’t witness that in my lifetime. It might still be possible for you when you reach my age.” Old Chief Physician Pan shook his head, judging the situation based on his social experience. “That’s why I want to get as many benefits as possible before your resignation.”

He then laughed at his less-than-funny joke.

Zheng Ren left the office in a complicated mood.

Old Chief Physician Pan would personally handle any issue with surgery qualifications. Since he had nothing else to do today, he quickly returned to the office to finish his novel so that he could study the anatomy of the prostate. Once everything was settled, he wanted to visit the System and search for any equipment that might come in handy in Imperial Capital.

The System had not yet assigned any mission to him. The mysterious world had become more vivid, and the little fox statue had become increasingly realistic as well. Perhaps the System was taking a break after the crisis had passed.

‘What a lazy System,’ Zheng Ren thought.

Fortunately, he was now considered a “wealthy” man. He still had two skill books that could instantly upgrade one random skill to the Graduate rank, and had accumulated lots of skill points in his inventory as well. There were more than enough for him to handle any emergency coming his way.

He thought about it while walking to the emergency ward.

Suddenly, his phone rang right before he entered.

His heart rate instantly shot up to 103 beats per minute, causing him to feel slightly uncomfortable.

When he took out his phone and noticed that the call was from Xie Yiren, he calmed down a little.

As soon as he accepted the call, Xie Yiren cried out from the other end. “Zheng Ren, help!”