Mandatory Blessing 566

"Hehe."

Adam couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Why are you laughing?"

Cristina said with dissatisfaction.

"Is there even a need to ask this question?"

Adam quipped, "Doctors may perform countless surgeries every year and not remember them all, but for a patient, it's unique. Do you think they wouldn't remember who performed the surgery on them?"

"..."

Cristina's face immediately froze.

As rational and intelligent as she was, she hadn't even considered this possibility...

It's because those involved are often blinded by their own perspective!

It must be!

"No."

George shook his head and said, "Mrs. Drake hasn't woken up yet; Dr. Burke brought it up himself."

"What?!"

Cristina and Meredith exclaimed in unison.

"What did he say?"

Adam asked curiously.

"He said that after he performed the surgery, he had a sense of unease, as if the patient's lung cavity had been sutured without a thorough examination."

George said, "The patient seemed fine after the surgery, and he was in a hurry, so he let it go until today when the Chief of Surgery and Dr. Bailey removed a towel from the patient's body. As for why he didn't report it in time..."

"Because of fear."

Adam sighed.

"Right!"

George nodded. "Back then, he had just become Attending Physician and didn't have the reputation he has now. If he made such a basic mistake, he would be in a very passive position in court. The hospital's legal counsel would be afraid of taking responsibility and would most likely suggest firing him directly to save money and trouble."

The relationship Attending Physician and hospitals is mostly a collaborative one. Once the benefits and expenses are not equal, the hospital will definitely make the most advantageous choice.

Compared to the reputational and financial losses suffered by the hospital, the appointment of an unknown new Attending Physician is insignificant; being abandoned is the normal course of events.

So even though Burke was already Attending Physician at the time, he still wasn't as stubborn as the Grey's Anatomy, who dared to admit her mistake to her face. He would just let it slide if he could.

As for now?

Adam guessed.

On the one hand, Dr. Burke thought of something Cristina hadn't: that the patient knew who performed the surgery, as Adam had said, so destroying the records was pointless.

On the other hand, Dr. Burke is now a renowned doctor and the top doctor in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Medical Center; otherwise, he wouldn't be the first candidate for Chief of Surgery.

In this situation, even if it were mentioned, the hospital would likely make a concerted effort to save Dr. Burke's life.

In the end, the patient was very good-natured, and Dr. Burke felt that as long as he sincerely apologized and offered more compensation, the matter would not be difficult to resolve.

In summary, Dr. Burke, who was well aware of the situation, was able to so readily admit his mistakes.

If any one of these conditions is not met, the situation could be completely different.

"Actually, I really agree with what Dr. Burke said at the end."

George lamented, "He said that even the greatest doctors make mistakes, and when we make mistakes, we should speak out without hesitation, instead of being afraid of punishment, otherwise everyone will suffer."

Everyone fell silent.

These words truly resonated with everyone.

Doctors are human too; how can they not make mistakes?

If you make a mistake, you can speak up and be forgiven as long as it wasn't intentional.

This is the ideal situation.

But the reality is that once a mistake is made, years of hard work can be lost in a single day.

Meredith punctured the patient's heart, and Dr. Burke left a towel inside the patient's body—this was by no means an isolated incident.

In many similar situations, doctors are aware of the consequences afterward, but because the consequences are too cruel, when they are forced to choose between themselves and the patient, they will naturally always choose themselves.

Reality didn't leave them with any ideal middle ground.

Don't think about it too much.

Adam interrupted the atmosphere of empathy and shared sorrow, and said with a smile, "The hospital will definitely introduce relevant regulations next, and everyone's workload will be greatly reduced in the future, which is a good thing for most people."

"I don't want that kind of benefit."

Cristina, having learned that the trouble had nothing to do with her, regained her composure and remarked, "I think the current pace is just fine."

"That's not up to you."

Adam shook his head and said, "We're currently working 577, 5 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week. We've had two medical accidents involving Meredith and Dr. Burke, both related to excessive workload. The hospital will likely implement mandatory measures, such as requiring patients to work less than 80 hours a week. At that point, you won't be able to stay at the hospital even if you want to."

"Less than 80 hours per week?"

Cristina exclaimed, "If it's 5 am to 6 pm, 13 hours a day, that means I can only work a maximum of 6 days a week. I definitely won't follow that rule. Adam, don't tell me you think this is a good thing?"

"Of course I hate this too."

Adam sighed, "But if the hospital mandates it, then I have no choice but to comply. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, it will be your responsibility even if it wasn't."

Once a medical dispute arises and you end up in court, you might claim that you're Just You Show stamina by fighting for three days and three nights without getting tired, so it's not your fault. But who would believe you?

First of all, violating the hospital's mandatory regulations will put you in a completely passive position.

"I think it would be great if such a mandatory regulation could be implemented."

George laughed and said, "After all, we doctors are human too, and we need to have our own lives."

"They have absolutely no ambition."

Cristina immediately looked at him with disdain.

"Forget it, let's not think about it anymore. Let's relax and have some fun at the party."

Meredith shook his head, as if trying to shake off these worries.

Her punishment has not yet been announced, but based on her boyfriend Dr. Shepherd's experience, a one-month hospital stay for observation is almost certain.

"I wonder what kind of boyfriend Liz has? We, her friends, should really keep an eye on him for her."

The group exchanged glances.

Did Liz come to see you today?

Cristina asked.

"No."

Meredith shook his head, puzzled. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Cristina picked up her plate and left immediately.

Adam smiled and got up, then left with Bianca.

"What happened?"

Meredith sensed something was wrong and pulled George back, who was also about to leave.

"You should go find Liz."

George gave him a look that said, "I can't say."

But under the gaze of the goddess Meredith, he was defeated after only a few rounds and told her everything.

"Liz!!!"

Meredith was furious when he heard that what was supposed to be a small party with a few friends had been expanded by Liz into a large doctors' party with dozens of doctors.

She only agreed to let Liz and George move in on a whim.

But as soon as they moved in, she immediately regretted it.

Often, as soon as she opens her eyes, Liz, dressed as Hello Kitty, is standing in front of her.

Then Liz and George started bickering like best friends, which gave her a headache.

Now they've pulled this stunt.

The thought of so many people crowding into her house before the party even started made her head feel like it was going to explode.

PS: Thanks to Plane Traveler Looks Good donations! There should be more!