One day at the beginning of November.
Dozens of reporters were waiting in the lobby of the first basement floor of Hansung Hospital, one of the Big 5 hospitals that boasted more than 2,000 beds.
The two middle-aged men, who were coming down on the escalator, looked pleased after checking the number of reporters.
“We made sure to spread the information about the press release so even the major broadcasting stations came. This is going to be quite a hot topic, sir.”
At the words of Jeon Dong Soo, the head of the public relations office, Dean Kim Chun-man smiled in satisfaction.
“It’s a topic that fits right during the CSAT season. I think it’s about time, shall we have the main character come out?”
When Dean Kim arrived at the lobby, cameras flashed everywhere. The visitors who were passing by stopped to see what was going on.
Enjoying the feeling of being a successful hospital dean, he smiled and brought the mic closer to himself.
“Welcome, reporters. The weather is becoming chilly nowadays, however, our Hansung Hospital has prepared a warm piece of news today.”
Holding the presentation he’d prepared in his hand, Dean Kim spoke loudly with high expectations for the response that he would get.
“Not long ago, a school bus carrying high school seniors crashed on the overpass. 7 patients were brought to our emergency room. Two with lower limb trauma…..”
Dean Kim, who recited the status of the seven students in detail, soon brought up the key reason for calling the reporters.
“Do you know what one of the patients, Kim Ki-chan, first said when he became conscious? It was, “I have to take the exam.” This student, whose dream is to become a doctor, had been devastated by the situation which would ruin all the hard work he has poured into for a year.”
Hearing the main point of the speech, the reporters’ concentration levels changed.
“In response, our medical staff at Hansung Hospital mobilized all their efforts to restore the students’ physical condition to a level allowing them to take the test. That’s right. Kim Ki-chan can take the college entrance exam this year as he wished. Although it is under the condition of a hospital room.”
One of the reporters who had been recording the contents of the representation raised their hand.
-What about the other students? Are they also able to take the exam?
“Yes, thanks to the emergency trauma team at Hansung Hospital, they are recovering quickly and will not have any disruptions in their lives. We have asked each of these students’ opinions, and they all expressed their determination to take the test even if they fail. The hospital staff is getting ready to help accordingly. With the support of Jongno-gu’s Office of Education, we will also set up a test site for patients in the special ward.”
Dean Kim looked around the lobby with a confident smile.
The unfortunate case of high school seniors being involved in an accident right before the CSAT. Hansung Hospital’s careful consideration in their treatment and allowing them to take their test.
It was a story that would be talked about at a time when news about the CSAT came out every day. It was a great opportunity to increase Hansung Hospital’s reputation.
A question was suddenly asked to Dean Kim, who had been suppressing his satisfied laughter since the press release started.
-Myeong Sae Hospital also received 6 patients from the car crash, will those students also be taking the test?
Myeong Sae Hospital. The place was another one of the Big 5 and located quite close to Hansung Hospital, making them rivals.
At the question he had been waiting for, Dean Kim gave a contented smile.
“I don’t know if Dean Shin Yae Seung is in a situation where he can care about these issues. I heard he went somewhere far? Haha. I’m kidding. I am not sure what happened to the patients who were sent to Myeong Sae Hospital. It is up to the ability of the medical staff to take care of emergencies.
* * *
Myeong Sae Hospital, cafeteria.
-…….It is up to the ability of the medical staff to take care of emergencies.
Seong Chang Soo, who’d been watching TV, threw his spoon down on his tray.
“That man gets more annoying the more you see him. I mean, is the situation between the severe patients sent to us and the minor trauma patients sent to them the same? I can’t believe he didn’t even mention that. And the medical staff’s level? If their patients can take the test and ours can’t!? Won’t people mistakenly think our emergency care is of a lower level than theirs?!”
Seong Chang Soo, who was swearing at the dean of Hansung Hospital, spoke passionately and looked at Dowook who was seated opposite himself.
“Isn’t that right?”
Dowook, who’d been blankly lifting his spoon, raised his head.
“What?”
“That news. Aren’t you annoyed?”
“What news?”
When Dowook turned to watch, the news had already changed to something about the fall baseball. It was about the Korean Series, which was in a tight race, tilting to one side.
“I don’t really care much for baseball. You’re a fan of the Hansung Lions?”
“Not that! There was news just now insulting our hospital!”
Seong Chang Soo, who began to explain the malicious distortion by the dean of Hansung Hospital, clicked his tongue at the state of Dowook, who had once again subconsciously started to eat as if he had fallen into another world.
“Why is this guy like this today? His soul has practically flown away after working with Last Choi for a few days. Dowook. Dowook?”
Seong Chang Soo, seeing Dowook’s silent response, raised his chopsticks. Moving gently, he picked up a chunk of thick pork cutlet from Dowook’s plate.
“I heard everything.”
Flinching, Seong Chang Soo smiled widely and let go of the pork cutlet.
“Did you? Haha.”
“How are the students brought to our hospital?”
“They are doing a lot better. I’m not so sure about the bus driver who was in the worst condition.”
“He’s in our department’s ICU.”
“Really?”
“I’m the attending physician.”
“You?”
When the bus driver, who was brought in last, entered the OR, the operating surgeons were Prof. Choi Hoo and Chief Ji Hwi-gwan. As both of them entrusted him with the subsequent actions, he had no choice but to take on the role of attending physician.
“That bus driver was practically resurrected from death, wasn’t he?”
“We’re preparing for the 2nd round of surgery, but the prognosis is positive.”
“Damn it. The media should talk about things like this. It’s a miracle that the patient is still alive, isn’t it?”
“Where are the miracles in medicine? He’s alive because he can be.”
“You don’t know anything. Look at Hansung Hospital. They’re putting on a show just before CSAT with a patient who has broken legs. I think it’s great that the dying bus driver is still alive. Whew. It’s not like I can have a press conference myself.”
After silently enduring Seong Chang Soo’s chatter, which quickly increased, Dowook chewed the last of his food and put down his chopsticks.
“Phew. it’s finished.”
“Huh? Why are you eating the most delicious food on the cafeteria’s menu like it tastes horrible?”
“I’ve had 8 surgeries until this morning. I just want to rest right now.”
“8? You’re pretty blessed with surgeries from the first week. If this continues, you’ll be a surgeon with bulging calves.”
Before becoming a surgeon with bulging calves, his body might not be able to last.
Dowook was feeling despair at Professor Choi’s terrifying stamina, which could easily endure all these surgeries and demanded more.
Dowook lifted his tray and stood up.
“Where’s Chief Ji?”
“My chief? Why?”
“I wanted to meet him before going on my rounds.”
“He’s probably in the video room. He dragged all the 1st year residents there for CT training.”
“Ok. See you later.”
“Hey, just a sec!”
Seong Chang Soo stuck to Dowook’s side.
“What’s happening with the beautiful lady?”
“What kind of question is that at this time?”
“It’s because there are so many rumors flying around. The departments are being shaken up one by one by Director Lim. Did she visit yours?”
“She visited us first.”
He didn’t know what was said, but seeing as Chief Ha didn’t say anything, so things probably went smoothly. Although he might have forgotten due to the pianist collaboration problem suddenly appearing.
“Give us a tip so we can prepare. You’ve interacted with her plenty of times.”
“Um, Chang Soo.”
“That’s it. Keep talking.”
“Do you like math?”
“I really hate it.”
“Then don’t even appear anywhere near Director Lim. That’s how you can save your department. I’m leaving.”
Leaving a bewildered Seong Chang Soo, Dowook headed to the radiology department on the 4th floor.
As he came upon the hallway leading to the monitor room, he saw an open door. It was where Chief Ji Hwi-gwan was educating the emergency medicine specialists.
-Myeong Deok. Try to explain.
-L-looking at the upper shading, it seems to be tension in the pneumothorax.
-First aid treatment?
-That’s…..
Dowook watched from afar as Chief Ji was instructing the resident 1:1 with great pressure. Then he slowly stretched out his hand.
‘Come on, come on.’
When he told Chang Soo he wanted to see Chief Ji, he meant it literally. Because there was nothing better than Commander Ji’s sense when looking after patients.
[T/N: In Korean, what Dowook says is ‘see his face’ which doesn’t really sound nice in English.]
One of the things he figured out about his special sense was that the more he used a sense, the longer he could use it.
The more experience he gained, the more diverse the usage.
Chief Ji’s sense cycled through his nervous system starting from his fingertips.
‘I will make good use of it to treat patients.’
He bowed his head once then headed for the neurosurgery department’s patient ward on the 9th floor.
Holding a chart in hand, he went through the ward in an instant, looking at the conditions of the patients who had surgery yesterday and the day before.
He finished his rounds in just 10 minutes and listed down his order for the patients, which he then gave to the nurse.
“Oh, you finished it already?”
“Yes. The patient in No. 11 seems to be in a lot of pain so instead of Tramadol, please give him Buprenorphine. 2mg every 4 hours.”
He got on the elevator right after and went to the 8th floor.
Dowook saw a crowd of people gathered in front of the neurosurgery’s ICU. They were reporters with various cameras and microphones in hand.
“Hmm?”
One of the interns in the ICU saw Dowook and pointed in his direction.
“There he is.”
At her signal, dozens of reporters gathered around Dowook.
In an instant, Dowook was surrounded by mics and cameras.
“I’m Yoon Jinhyo from News Seoul! As the attending physician of Yoo Sang-Il, the hero from the overpass traffic accident, could you make a statement….!”
“Dr.! What is the probability of a victim of a car crash like this surviving?”
“They said the patient is still unconscious, when do you think he will regain consciousness?”
When the reporters’ questions came flooding in at the same time, Dowook was lost in confusion. As the questions were being asked, camera flashes went off, making Dowook close his eyes a few times.
“Uh, just a moment. Please make way.”
Dowook first went through the crowd and went through the doors leading to the area prohibiting civilians from entry. Then he asked the intern.
“What is this all about?”
“Didn’t you see that video, Dr. Park?”
“I didn’t see it. That’s why I’m asking with such a blank expression.”
“It’s top 1 on the search list right now. You should check it.”
Dowook got out his phone and opened the Internet app.
[Cram School Bus Accident Blackbox]
As soon as he clicked the link, a video of the inside of the bus was played.
The bus driver lifted a fallen student and fastened his seatbelt and was thrown out of the car. Watching the video, it was clear why he was so seriously injured.
‘What’s the view count?’
It looked like it was pretty widespread on the Internet.
-Dr.! Please make a statement about the patient!
-Dr.!
The reporters called out to Dowook through the glass door.
