Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 437

Fifth Vital – Episode 438

438. Risk

“That’s right. I need your help, Assemblyman.”

-Tell me what’s going on, feel free.

“Actually, I came to Huirak Island for a vacation with my friends.”

-Vacation? It’s surprising that the director is on vacation? People need to rest too. Just a moment!

Gam Deok-chan, who had been chuckling at Tae-kyung’s mention of a vacation, quickly realized the call concerned a patient and refocused.

-You said you called because of a patient?

“Yes, Assemblyman. While returning to our lodging, the driver of our group had an accident and sustained external injuries.”

Tae-kyung quickly briefed Gam Deok-chan on the situation.

“Contacting 119 to get to the mainland is an option, but that would delay treatment significantly, potentially leading to a vegetative state.”

-Vegetative state?

“Yes, the only hospital on this island is a public medical center. I was hoping you could assist, Assemblyman, and I apologize for the imposition.”

-Oh dear! That’s terrible. You did well to call.

Gam Deok-chan reassured Tae-kyung, displaying no annoyance or hesitation.

-I’ll call the governor in charge of Huirak Island right now. I’ll ensure they heed all requests from Director Kim.

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Assemblyman.”

Tae-kyung was deeply grateful for the ready assistance, bowing his head even though Gam Deok-chan couldn’t see him.

“Assemblyman, I won’t forget this favor. And I’ll take full responsibility for whatever happens here.”

-Hahaha! Director, don’t mention favors. I have a favor to ask of you, too.

“Of course. Please tell me.”

-I’ll share the responsibility you just mentioned. So, don’t worry about anything and please save that patient.

“Thank you, Assemblyman.”

-Director, do everything you need to do and focus solely on the patient. I’ll advocate on behalf of the family and arrange transportation to the mainland.”

“Yes, Assemblyman. Thank you so much.”

Tae-kyung, bolstered by Gam Deok-chan’s strong support, felt his anxieties ease.

He was acutely aware of the audacity of his request.

It was highly irregular for a doctor to request the use of another hospital’s operating room, especially one where he wasn’t on staff.

However, Tae-kyung’s actions, despite their impropriety, were driven by a single, overriding concern:

The patient!

The desire to save the patient eclipsed all considerations of protocol.

“Hey! Tae-kyung?”

As Tae-kyung entered the hospital with renewed purpose, Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun called out to him simultaneously.

“Where have you been?”

“Did you contact 119?”

“How long will it take for them to get here?”

“…….”

Tae-kyung didn’t immediately respond to the barrage of questions. Instead, he watched Oh Sim-bo, who was on the phone nearby.

“Hey, Tae-kyung. Did you call?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“What did they say? Are they coming?”

“Wait a minute.”

Leaving his friends’ curiosity hanging, Tae-kyung continued to observe Oh Sim-bo.

“Ah, ……yes, yes. I understand. But Director… Ah, yes… Wh-who’s calling? G-Governor! Did you say Governor? Oh my god!”

Oh Sim-bo’s tone had softened considerably, and he glanced at Tae-kyung and his companions as he spoke into the phone.

“Ah, yes. I understand what you mean, Director. Yes, I will.”

Oh Sim-bo, visibly surprised, hung up and approached Tae-kyung.

“Hey, I think that nurse is coming this way?”

“What’s up? I bet he’s going to ask if we talked to 119…….”

“Excuse me? Mr. Kim Tae-kyung?”

“Yes, I’m Kim Tae-kyung.”

“Sir, do what you want to do.”

The shift in tone indicated that Gam Deok-chan’s influence had taken effect.

“I heard you wanted to save the patient here.”

“Yes, that’s right. I really want to save him.”

“So, do what you three want to do. There’s only one nurse available in the operating room, so it’ll take a while to prepare. She hasn’t assisted in surgery for a long time, so her knowledge is a bit rusty, and the operating room is at the end of the second floor. I’ll let you know when it’s ready. Okay?”

“But are we moving the patient ourselves?”

“Of course. Mr. Kim Tae-kyung has decided to take full responsibility, remember? Mr. Go and I have to stay in the emergency room, so you’re on your own. That’s the decision.”

“Okay.”

“Tae-kyung?”

Oh Sim-bo, having delivered his message, returned to his station. Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun immediately pressed Tae-kyung for answers.

“What do you mean by ‘responsibility’?”

“What’s with the operating room?”

“First, could you two head up there? You heard where the operating room is, right? Second floor.”

“Hey, Tae-kyung? You…”

“I need to speak with the patient’s wife. I’ll explain everything and come up right away.”

Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun, accompanied by Lee Jun-yeok, took the elevator to the second floor. Tae-kyung immediately called Kim Han-sol.

“Hello? Ma’am, this is Kim Tae-kyung. How much longer until you arrive at the hospital?”

-I’m almost there.

As she spoke, the hospital doors burst open.

Kim Han-sol rushed in, scanning the surroundings before heading directly to Tae-kyung.

“Please save him!”

Her first words upon seeing Tae-kyung were a desperate plea.

Before even asking about the situation, she begged him to save her husband.

“Doctor, please save my husband. Where is Jisan’s dad?”

“The patient has just been moved to the operating room.”

“Operating room?”

“Yes, the patient’s diagnosis is a subdural hematoma [a collection of blood outside the brain].”

Tae-kyung explained the condition in layman’s terms, being honest about the severity of the situation.

“So, you’re saying that if my husband is transferred to the mainland and arrives at the hospital, there’s a high possibility he’ll end up in a vegetative state?”

“Yes, that’s the current assessment.”

“Can’t you give him first aid here?”

Kim Han-sol, visibly shaken by the term “vegetative state,” asked with forced calm.

“I heard you’re from Seoul. You must have seen patients like my husband before. Doctor, please help me. The children are still young, and I can’t lose Jun-yeok. I can’t live without him. Please help me.”

Kim Han-sol bit her lip, pleading with him.

“I’m going to operate on patient Lee Jun-yeok.”

Tae-kyung stated his intention to operate, outlining all potential risks and complications without reservation.

“My parents had a simple surgery in the past, and the doctor in charge said that no matter how simple the surgery, you never know what might happen in the operating room, and the aftereffects vary from person to person. So, I understand everything you’re saying. I consent to the surgery.”

Kim Han-sol reasoned that even a risky surgery was preferable to the near-certainty of her husband becoming vegetative while waiting for transport to the mainland.

She needed to act, not just wait.

“Doctor, please save my husband. I’m sorry to ask the person who saved my son to save my husband, but I’m begging you.”

“I will do my best.”

After completing the explanation, Tae-kyung asked the on-duty doctor to prepare a surgical consent form and hurried to the second floor.

“Tae-kyung is coming.”

“Hey! Tae-kyung?”

Reaching the second floor, Park Jun-seok and Lee Jae-hyun were waiting near the operating room entrance.

“Why aren’t you inside? Didn’t the nurse say she was coming?”

“She’ll be here soon. I told her to wait a bit.”

The operating room door opened, and a middle-aged woman greeted them.

“You can come in now. I rushed over after receiving an urgent call from Dr. Oh, so I’m a bit flustered. It’s been so long since I’ve assisted in surgery on the island, my memory is hazy, and there’s a lot I don’t know. I’ll do my best to help you with whatever you need.”

She cheerfully pulled Lee Jun-yeok’s bed into the room, displaying a cooperative attitude unlike Oh Sim-bo.

“Thank you for your help.”

It should have been expected, but Tae-kyung was genuinely grateful for the nurse’s willingness, given the obstacles they had faced.

“I’ll move the patient inside. You three scrub in here and come in.”

The nurse wheeled the bed inside, and Tae-kyung rolled up his sleeves and began disinfecting his hands.

“Hey! Tae-kyung. What are you going to do without a scrub nurse?”

Park Jun-seok asked, watching Tae-kyung’s quick movements.

The nurses in the operating room each have specific roles. They are broadly divided into circulating nurses and scrub nurses.

The middle-aged nurse was a circulating nurse, responsible for delivering and managing instruments and supplies during the surgery.

That meant there was no scrub nurse to directly assist the surgeon. That’s what Park Jun-seok was concerned about.

“What does it matter? We can handle it.”

“I’ll only help you with what Tae-kyung tells me to do.”

“Us? No, wait a minute!”

Unlike Lee Jae-hyun, who readily agreed to help, Park Jun-seok frowned, expressing his hesitation.

“Us? I can’t do it.”

“Hyung [older brother/friend]!?”

“Tae-kyung, I understand how you feel. Frankly, I want to save that patient too. But who will cover the damages if something goes wrong? And I think it’s forbidden to practice medicine in other places after opening my own practice… No, there are too many things I have to consider just to save the patient.”

Park Jun-seok was a neurosurgeon.

He understood the gravity of Lee Jun-yeok’s condition and genuinely wanted to help.

However, the risks were too significant for him to ignore.

Most people don’t realize how often doctors face medical lawsuits.

Many lawsuits are difficult to comprehend, not just those where the patient’s outcome is negative.

Sometimes, even after saving a dying patient’s life, doctors are caught in lawsuits and forced to pay substantial sums.

Park Jun-seok had experienced this firsthand.

He had been caught in an unfair and absurd lawsuit and, despite trying to correct the record, had been unsuccessful.

He was still paying compensation.

Therefore, Park Jun-seok was reluctant to step forward, fearing a similar situation.

He had a family to protect.

He had a wife and children, and the thought of jeopardizing their well-being terrified him.

His wife had suffered greatly during the previous lawsuit, and he wasn’t confident he could endure such an ordeal again.

“Tae-kyung, I’m really sorry. I’m so scared of things like this.”

“Hyung?”

“I don’t have powerful connections or resources, so I can’t afford to lose anything more. I can’t be like you, focusing solely on the patient and acting with courage.”

“Hyung, what are you saying after coming into the operating room? Let’s just do it. When should a doctor step up if not at a time like this?”

Lee Jae-hyun, who had remained silent, lightly nudged Park Jun-seok’s arm, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.

“Jae-hyun, I’m not kidding. I’m sorry to say this…….”