Shen Qingyue quickly prepared the tracheal intubation equipment. She turned to Fang Zhiyan, and they both realized the importance of the moment. If Fang succeeded, they could save the elderly woman. If not…
Without hesitation, Fang Zhiyan approached the patient, positioning her on her back. With practiced precision, he slowly inserted the endotracheal tube along the back of her tongue, gently lifting the cartilage at the base to reveal the glottis.
Now was the time!
Seizing the moment, Fang quickly inserted the tracheal tube, removed the laryngoscope, and stepped back after securing the procedure, letting Shen Qingyue connect the patient to the ventilator.
As the ventilator began its work, the old woman's blood oxygen levels slowly started to rise. Eventually, the monitor showed normal levels, and she was pulled back from the brink of death.
Shen Qingyue looked at Fang Zhiyan in astonishment, though his calm demeanor brought her back to reality. She quelled her surprise and helped him connect the patient to the ventilator, observing the blood oxygen levels normalize.
Beside her, the patient, now out of danger, was breathing easier. Once certain the situation was stable, they both relaxed.
Just then, Zhu Zixiao's urgent voice cut through the room.
"Dr. Cao, over here! The patient—she's hardly hanging on."
Zhu Zixiao burst into the room, gesturing wildly at the elderly woman on the bed, while turning his head to address Dr. Cao.
Dr. Cao Chong rushed in, his face marked by grave concern, a usual expression when confronting life-and-death scenarios in the ER, even with years of experience. "What's the situation? Where's the patient who needs intubation?"
Zhu Zixiao stammered, regret creeping into his voice. "It's… it's already handled, Dr. Cao."
Dr. Cao, puzzled, scanned the room then looked at the now stabilized monitor, noticing the connected ventilator. "Oh… she's stabilized. Who did the intubation?"
"Dr. Cao, it was Fang Zhiyan who performed the intubation," Shen Qingyue quickly interjected, her voice filled with awe.
Zhu Zixiao turned towards Fang Zhiyan, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Really, Xiao Fang?"
It wasn't often you saw an intern who could perform a tracheal intubation with such poise. Most in his position wouldn't have dared.
Dr. Cao, after examining the patient's condition, raised an eyebrow, impressed. "The patient's stable for now, nothing to worry about."
The patient's family couldn't stop expressing their gratitude towards Fang Zhiyan. After a brief conversation with them, Dr. Cao led Fang Zhiyan back to the office.
"You did a remarkable job. You should focus on doing well in the emergency department," Dr. Cao said, patting his shoulder with approval. "I'll go explain the situation to the family."
With that, he left the room. Shen Qingyue gave Fang Zhiyan a thumbs up, grinning before she exited as well.
"Dr. Fang, you were amazing! I really admire you!"
Fang Zhiyan just smiled warmly, saying nothing in return.
Zhu Zixiao circled around Fang Zhiyan, eyes wide with amazement. "Xiao Fang, you really are something, way better than me."
"Tracheal intubation. I've studied it too, but I couldn't do it. I panic the moment anything goes wrong. You, however, stayed calm."
He sighed. "But, honestly, I think you also know this… The patient might have survived this time, but who knows how long she really has."
Fang Zhiyan remained silent, fully aware of the reality.
Sometimes, it seems a life has been saved, but in truth, it only buys a little more time. Wrestling with death in the emergency room meant understanding that not every life could be preserved indefinitely.