Chapter 8 — The Truth in the Emergency Room

I said: "I'm not nervous." She smiled. "My hands are cold." I lowered my head to look. It's really cold. On the podium, Director Tuong held a speech. Khau Chan Hai sat next to him, his face gray. In the past, he liked occasions like this best. Every time he spoke, he had to speak for half an hour. Today he was moody again, without any spirit. Director Tuong spoke up. "Today, the hospital held a plenary meeting to announce the results of the investigation of a recent complaint related to a pediatric patient in the Emergency Department." The hall immediately became quiet. "After extracting the camera, checking the medical records and organizing for experts inside and outside the hospital to evaluate, Dr. Tham Tri Ha of the Emergency Department made an accurate judgment, acted according to regulations and promptly handled the emergency treatment of the asphyxiated pediatric patient. Breathing." "The patient's subsequent abdominal pain and shock were related to the accidental swallowing of many magnetic particles, leading to intestinal perforation." "There is no causal relationship with the Heimlich maneuver." There were quiet voices below. Director Tuong continued: "Previously, before completing the medical evaluation, the hospital's Medical Affairs Department simply believed the family member's complaint, and took measures against Dr. Tham Tri Ha such as suspension from work, deduction of performance bonus and request to write a review." "The handling process was wrong, the assessment of the truth was also wrong." "This has damaged Dr. Tham Tri Ha's reputation." I bowed my head and looked at my fingers. Ms. Tan gently touched me. Director Tuong stood up straight. "Here, on behalf of the hospital, I solemnly apologize to Dr. Tham Tri Ha." He bowed towards me. The entire hall was silent. Then applause rang out. At first it was very light, but then it got bigger and bigger. Everyone in the Emergency Department applauded the strongest. Tieu Tran clapped his hands and cried. My eye sockets also felt a bit hot. Director Chiang raised his hand to signal everyone to keep order. "After the hospital Party Committee studied and decided." "Cancel all handling decisions against Dr. Tham Tri Ha, compensate for performance bonus and restore clinical position." "Revoke and delete inappropriate posts previously posted on the public account, and repost a clarification notice." "In this incident, Director of Medical Affairs Department Khau Chan Hai had issues such as violating procedures, handling unsatisfactory and harmful to the rights of clinical medical staff." "Decision to discipline and warn within the Party, dismiss the position of Director of the Medical Affairs Department, and transfer to the position of Deputy Director of the Logistics Assurance Center." The whole hall immediately stirred. Khau Chan Hai's face was terrifyingly white. He suddenly raised his head, as if he wanted to say something. Director Tuong looked at him. "Comrade Khau Chan Hai, please also say a few words." Khau Chan Hai tightly grasped the microphone, his knuckles turning white. He stood up and was silent for a long time before speaking. "In this incident, I... handled it inappropriately." Someone frowned below. Ms. Tan laughed coldly. "Isn't it appropriate? Still want to cheat and get it over with." Principal Tuong was also looking at him. Khau Chan Hai gritted his teeth. "Without fully investigating the truth, I made the decision to mishandle Dr. Tham Tri Ha." "Causing hurt to Dr. Tham." He paused for a moment. The voice was so small that it was almost inaudible. "I'm sorry, Dr. Tham." I raised my head. "What about the Emergency Department?" His facial muscles twitched. Everyone in the hall looked towards him. He was forced into a situation where he could not get off the stage. In the end, I could only say: "I also apologize to the entire team of doctors and nurses in the Emergency Department." "Sorry." After the meeting ended, many

someone came to find me. "Doctor Tham, you have suffered injustice." "This time I am really satisfied." "In the future, we cannot handle complaints like that anymore." I responded to everyone in turn. When he reached the door, Khau Chan Hai was standing there. His eyes were filled with resentment. "Tham Tri Ha, you won." I stopped. "I didn't win." "The child had to suffer an incision on his abdomen, and the Emergency Department was in chaos for three days." "Do you think that's a win?" He laughed coldly. "You stop pretending to be noble. Don't you just want to see me have bad luck?" I looked at him. "Khau Chan Hai, you still don't understand until now." "I've never aimed at you." You are determined to face the truth." His face darkened. "Do you think I'll be finished by being sent to the logistics department?" I calmly said, "I don't care if you're finished or not." "I just hope you stay away from the emergency room for a bit in the future." Having said that, I left. Outside the door of the Emergency Department, Tieu Tran ran over holding a bouquet of flowers. "Miss Tham, welcome home!" Hua Due stood behind and shouted: "There's still a spot reserved for you on the evening shift schedule!" I glared at him. "I just came back and have to be on night duty?" He immediately pretended to be stupid. "This is the wish of all the people in the department."