When the Girl Played Doctor
My fiancé's junior colleague went around the hospital every day calling herself "the best girl".
When a patient with acute appendicitis was admitted, she mistakenly prescribed laxatives instead of proper treatment. The patient nearly went into shock and died.
After the hospital was reported by the patient's family, she simply smiled and said, "I don't even need a supervising doctor to prescribe medication anymore. I'm such a good girl!"
On another occasion, she failed to order routine pre-op blood work for a surgical patient. During the procedure, a visiting senior surgeon was exposed and later contracted HIV.
She actually puffed out her chest and said, "Even if everyone had to stay up all night helping me save the doctor, I'm still the best girl!"
I protested more than once and urged my fiancé to dismiss her.
He refused every time. He brushed it off with a laugh, saying "this good girl" just needed time and experience.
Then, a prominent patient was transferred from a military hospital for surgery. She secretly tampered with the medical records, switching the pathology findings from the left lung to the right. She even revised the surgical plan, recommending removal of the patient's completely healthy right lung.
Luckily, I caught the mistake in time, restored the correct pathology report, and performed the surgery successfully.
After the patient recovered, he asked for our team to be recognized.
To my disbelief, Elena Bakers ran to my fiancé in tears.
"I wrote the entire report by myself! All by myself! I'm the best little girl!
"Why do you always take credit away from me? It took so much courage for this little girl to be brave just once!
"You're all horrible!"
Elena stormed out of the hospital and was struck and killed by a car on the spot.
My fiancé did not say a word.
However, on the very day I was appointed hospital director, he produced falsified evidence accusing me of altering records and causing multiple medical accidents to advance my career.
I was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death.
As the verdict was delivered, he looked at me with unmistakable satisfaction.
"You'll never make up for what you owe Elena. Not in this lifetime."
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back on the day Elena altered the surgical plan.