Practicing Medical Skills in a Small Clinic-Chapter 64: Correcting the Courtyard’s Misdiagnosis, President Tian Calls

Chapter 64: Chapter 64: Correcting the Courtyard’s Misdiagnosis, President Tian Calls

"Are you sure there’s really hope to cure my father’s illness? Truth be told, ever since my father was diagnosed with this disease, I’ve asked around at six hospitals, and they all said that hospital treatment might be worth a try, but there’s not much confidence in it. You say there’s more than a 95% chance of a cure—is that the truth, or are you saying it just to get us to spend money here for treatment?"

Such questioning face-to-face is actually quite hurtful.

Some family members especially like to be straightforward, often preferring to address unpleasant issues upfront.

In the eyes of doctors, these kinds of relatives are often challenging to deal with and difficult to get along with.

"I’ve been practicing medicine for so many years, and I never mislead patients into unnecessary treatment. If there’s truly no guarantee, I’ll be frank and tell you. Moreover, this disease isn’t treated by me but rather by a disease control center or an infectious disease hospital."

Li Jingsheng answered every word clearly.

"That’s good. What we fear the most is losing both money and life. As long as my father’s illness can truly be cured, no matter how much money is spent, I’m willing to do it. But if we drain our family funds only for his condition to worsen, or if he’s merely hanging on by a thread, living in constant pain and suffering, then we’d rather not treat him. It would be better to take that money, accompany him on trips, enjoy food and drinks, and walk with him through the last journey of life."

The old man’s son heard Li Jingsheng say this and decided to trust him.

However, from his tone and the look in his eyes, one could sense a hint of danger.

This person’s character might be somewhat obsessive.

If Li Jingsheng deceived them into going to a specified hospital for treatment, draining their wealth, and then the old man’s illness wasn’t cured, this person might resort to some extreme actions.

For instance, committing murder against a doctor.

"The cost of treating this disease shouldn’t be very high, at least far less than exhausting your family’s wealth."

Li Jingsheng provided some reassurance to the patient and his family.

Treating tuberculosis primarily involves anti-tuberculosis medication and injections. If it’s not severe, it can be treated at a disease control center for free. If it’s serious, treatment at a large hospital might cost twenty to thirty thousand, while a less severe case might be close to ten thousand.

The cost mainly depends on the severity of the condition.

If there are complications or other severe symptoms requiring expensive drugs, the treatment costs will certainly be significantly higher.

"How much would it be then?"

The old man’s daughter pressed on.

"Well... the old gentleman’s body is fairly robust. If there are no other severe symptoms, it should be cured for under ten thousand." Based on Li Jingsheng’s understanding, treating a mild case costs around six thousand, but considering potential fluctuations, he estimated higher.

In almost any medical institution, the quoted price for patients is often higher than lower.

If the patient’s willingness to undergo treatment is weak and their family conditions are poor, a preliminary cost might be mentioned.

Actually, after the initial treatment, if there’s improvement, the relatives see hope and even if poor, they’ll find ways to raise funds.

Doctors and nurses don’t do this to swindle money.

They do it to save lives.

Some family members and patients, particularly when very poor, hearing that treatment costs tens of thousands, might just give up.

This situation is particularly regrettable.

Thus, sometimes, medical staff are actually well-intentioned.

"Is it true that it only takes ten thousand to cure it?"

The old man and his two children asked in unison.

Looking at this family of three, Li Jingsheng couldn’t help but chuckle.

"How much would you prefer it to cost for a cure?"

The old man’s son awkwardly laughed, "Ten thousand isn’t much at all."

"Doctor, does it really only cost ten thousand to treat lung cancer?"

The female relative couldn’t help but ask.

"Lung cancer? Who told you your father has lung cancer?"

Li Jingsheng asked with raised eyebrows.

"Isn’t that the case? We went to a big hospital to see authoritative experts, and they said it’s early-stage lung cancer. The treatment fee would be at least fifty thousand, considering post-surgery recurrence, and if radiation therapy and chemotherapy were needed, it could cost upwards of thirty to forty thousand."

This time, the female relative finally revealed the truth.

They not only visited a large hospital, but also were diagnosed with lung cancer.

Li Jingsheng found it unusually funny upon hearing this.

Never imagined there’d be a day he could correct a misdiagnosis from a major hospital.

"My preliminary diagnosis suggests a high probability of pulmonary tuberculosis. If you trust me, it’s best to go to a disease control center or infectious disease hospital for further examination and treatment."

Li Jingsheng explained.

"By the way, you might unfortunately have already been infected. Make sure to wear a mask when interacting with the old gentleman in the future, and also wear masks when contacting your husband and children, to avoid spreading it further to other family members. The main transmission route of pulmonary tuberculosis is through droplets."

Hearing Li Jingsheng’s diagnosis result, the three were extremely shocked.

"No, it’s not lung cancer?"

The old gentleman looked at Li Jingsheng in astonishment, his face full of doubt and disbelief.

In the minds of patients, experts from big hospitals are definitely more trustworthy and authoritative.

A small clinic’s doctor, could they possibly be more capable than the authoritative director in a large institution?

"I’ll reiterate once more, my diagnosis points to a high probability of pulmonary tuberculosis."

Li Jingsheng stated seriously.

After exchanging glances, the old man’s son helped the elderly gentleman up and said to Li Jingsheng, "We’ll go over there to discuss first."

"No problem, I have masks here, please put them on."

Li Jingsheng handed each of them a mask.

Tuberculosis is quite infectious; this is a clinic and it’s imperative to prevent cross-infection with other customers and patients.

"Sister Tang, when you’re done later, disinfect the infusion room and examination room. Also, remember to wear a mask."

"Understood."

Tang Ping agreed, finished her tasks, and went in with disinfectant to clean.

Li Jingsheng sat behind the consultation desk, quietly waiting for the family of three to come up with a decision.

He vaguely heard the old man saying, "Ten thousand yuan isn’t much. My retirement salary is over seven thousand a month, so I can cover it myself. I’ve decided to follow Dr. Li’s advice and go to the infectious disease hospital for treatment."

"Dad, it’s not about how much money it is. Have you considered that if it’s not tuberculosis but lung cancer, what happens if the illness is delayed? Director Mu from the hospital did say we should consider surgery as soon as possible; the longer we wait, the worse it gets."

"Why not go to another major hospital for a recheck? This Dr. Li seems to have some skills. As soon as we came in for a consultation, he said the condition was quite serious. Then he said I might already have contracted tuberculosis; it actually seems quite plausible. I’ve had coughing episodes before, but in recent days, I’ve been feeling completely drained and unwilling to move."

...

The three family members continued discussing in the rest area, trying to find the most favorable, safest plan.

Li Jingsheng’s phone rang at this time.

He took it out to see that it was President Tian from Litong Pharmaceutical.

Li Jingsheng’s lips curled up slightly, and he instinctively glanced at the clock on the wall.

Five forty-seven.

Almost six o’clock.

This fool must have just now checked the purchase list.

Heh, times have changed; Li Jingsheng already has new supply channels and doesn’t need to put up with this fool’s nonsense anymore. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He did not answer, instead silencing it and tossed it on the table, ignoring it.

Damn it, I’ve been sidelined by this fool many times, and the worst was this time.

From yesterday all the way until now.

Pleading till my knees are worn hasn’t helped at all.

Let this fool worry!

A purchase volume of twenty thousand is already considered a significant business for Litong Pharmaceutical.

As expected, the first call wasn’t answered, so President Tian immediately dialed a second time.

When have we seen this guy so enthusiastic?

Except when getting the first batch upon opening, there hasn’t been enthusiasm toward Li Jingsheng afterwards.

The second call still went unanswered.

President Tian was anxious and sent a text message.

"Boss Li, sorry, truly sorry. Just saw the purchase order you sent. Please return the call upon seeing this message, and I’ll arrange it immediately."

Look at that expression.

Upon discovering Li Jingsheng’s purchase order was surprisingly over twenty thousand yuan, President Tian’s attitude underwent a complete 180-degree change.

Such a large order turned out to be due to his damned arrogance, only now noticing it.

Selling more than twenty thousand garners quite a bit of commission.

Especially under significant performance pressure, such large orders are particularly vital.

President Tian is probably as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

By this time, the old man and his children had reached a decision.

The old man’s son approached.

"Dr. Li, thank you for diagnosing my father. We’ve discussed it and decided to go to another major hospital for a recheck tomorrow. Is that okay with you?"

"Absolutely no problem. Just remember to wear a mask to prevent infecting others."

Li Jingsheng couldn’t force the patient to go to any particular hospital for treatment.

Correcting a misdiagnosis, wherever the patient chooses to be treated, makes him feel particularly happy and accomplished.

Due to limited conditions at the small clinic, he can only initially diagnose that the old man and his daughter likely have tuberculosis.

To confirm, major hospitals still need to perform pathology.

"Thank you! Thank you very much! Oh, by the way, how much is the diagnostic fee for my father and sister? I’ll pay you now."

The old man’s son was a bit stubborn, but not stingy.

Firmly insisted on paying what was due.

Such people often have strong principles.

"Let’s forget about charging; in the future, if you buy tonics or anything, you can consider our clinic."

Li Jingsheng generally did not charge diagnostic fees.

Most clinics operate on this customer-attraction model.

It’s either free clinics or the general environment is like this.

Patients with colds and fevers go to the pharmacy, and the pharmacist guides them in purchasing medicine, only charging for the medicine itself without additional diagnostic fees.

Customers wouldn’t agree otherwise.

"Definitely, definitely, we’ll take our leave then!"

The old man’s son and daughter, one on each side, helped the old man and headed out.

"Oh yes, if you’re going to a major hospital for tests, I suggest you do sputum testing for acid-fast bacilli; results are typically available the same day. Mainly because the old man is quite elderly, and if the condition worsens, treatment difficulty and costs will increase."

Li Jingsheng said to the two family members.

"Okay, thank you."

The family remembered.

There are several methods for tuberculosis testing, and the fastest is sputum testing for acid-fast bacilli.

Sputum culture for tuberculosis is much slower.

And now, the PPD test and T-cell spot test, which need three to five days.

The T-cell spot test requires CT-guided biopsy to obtain pathology specimens, and the old man clearly expressed his disagreement to undergo lung biopsy.

Many patients get scared upon hearing the word biopsy.

However, typically, as long as the doctor’s skills are proficient, there generally won’t be issues. Relatively speaking, the four major types of biopsy are quite safe.