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Episode 8
Let's start.
Dept Head, we have something to say to you.
What is it?
This is generally an agreement from the medical faculty that I am relaying this.
It’s our choice not to work with Dr Jung Ha Yun.
Is this because you learned that she wants to be a medical malpractice litigation lawyer that’s why you can no longer work with her?
Before when we encounter cases, she doesn’t look at them in the point of view of a Doctor but rather she resolve queries using the perspective of law.
Before the staff & I knew that she’s a lawyer, we let it pass by thinking it’s her character.
Now, all of us are thinking we’re working under her watchful eyes.
If what Dr. Jo is saying is true, this is a serious matter that needs to be considered.
Currently, our standard practice is to nurture Doctors & not Lawyers.
Yes, this is correct.
This is like the saying that we are preparing our meals for other people to eat.
For the hospital, investing in a Doctor involves time, effort & money which can’t be seen as petty.
If we’re not going to do anything about this, everybody might get involved in this.
Even if that happens, we can’t her fire.
As I see it, Dr. Jung still hasn’t decided on what future direction she’ll be taking.
I think it will be better if we give her some time.
After bringing up all these suggestions, it’s still not clear what action should be taken.
You need to persuade the other Doctors.
Yes.
I’m really dumbfounded!
After passing the bar exams, she wants to become a medical malpractice lawyer, is there anything wrong in that?
I don’t know anything, please don’t say anything anymore.
What is it that I don’t know?
The way I see it the whole group is just envious.
She’s intelligent & ambitious as well as warm & friendly.
Is there anything wrong with that?
She is slightly way out of line.
How can she do such thing?
What is that thing?
If I don’t even understand what happened, how can I…
That is…
I don’t know.
Don’t always look at her like that way.
It’s alright for other people to think that way but if you’re going to think the same, some people might misunderstand.
Misunderstand? What do you mean misunderstand?
If it’s you, it’ll be a long & hard road but there are people who find it easy doing several things at the same time.
Kang Eun Ji!
Actually, I had opposed your application from coming to the Surgical Department.
I can’t comprehend why a person who already passed her bar exams will want to be a Doctor, moreover your character is too strong.
I place great importance in my colleagues’ harmonious relationship.
How was it?
What?
What did the Professors say?
It never started in the right perspective.
So it’s been said.
Jin Sang!
Regarding…
the situation where Dr Jung had told the patient’s family members.
It is the best that you don’t reveal anything.
If there should be another incident to happen, we will not able to predict what the outcome might be.
I know.
Do we need to give Medical Board a call?
What for?
Let them know about the article that someone in here is trying to become a medical malpractice litigation lawyer, is this a good idea or not?
Although this person doesn’t embarrass us. This is still not a matter of great honor.
Honestly speaking, if Dr Jung Ha Yun resigns, it doesn’t benefit us in any way at all.
Jin Sang’s ban from order authority, it didn’t affect us a bit.
If Dr Jun Ha Yun decided to go, both of us can still go on living.
Where are you going?
I’m going to do a thesis.
May I ask you a question?
If someone would make us suffer from distress, would that be considered a crime?
You always wanted to use your knowledge of law to debate and stand up for your rights.
How can you compensate us from our suffering?
Even if this has happened, the hospital can’t dismiss her?
Of course they can’t.
Just like you, if you were to open a hospice centre after this, who’s going to stop you from doing so?
How can you think of such thing?
This is really great!
The issue is the ambition of becoming a medical malpractice litigation lawyer.
The Doctors can’t have an adversary among their midst.
How are you?
What is it actually?
Did you meet with the dead patient’s family member?
No, I didn’t.
Then why did you access the medical records of the patient?
I had checked the records & your name Yoon Jae Sang was listed.
What is actually going on, explain to me clearly?
Actually, it was Surgical Dept’s Dr. Jung Ha Yun.
Dr. Jung Ha Yun?
Your colleagues are annoyed that you want to become a medical malpractice litigation lawyer.
However, this may be different from other people, so I hope that you will take time to consider this.
As a Doctor, with your background, this is already considered sufficient on what you need to pursue.
You clearly need to make a definite decision on this matter.
Come in.
I heard that it was you.
You have gone through the medical notes of that patient & used an intern ID card to access it.
How can you do such a thing?
For the terminal cancer transfer patient….to undergo chemotherapy…
Where is Dr. Jung Ha Yun?
I can’t understand what you’re saying?
The ER Dept staff doesn’t understand the rules & regulations?
They come barging into other Dept & making trouble. What are you doing?
Regulations? The Surgical Dept has this kind of discipline that’s why this Dept is like this.
What’s the matter?
What is actually going on here?
The person who disclosed the patient’s medical records to the family is Dr. Jung Ha Yun.
What?
What does this mean? Both of you already knew about this?
No….this became a serious matter suddenly…. my mind got a little confused… that’s why…
Beak Hyun Woo!!!
Then what about you?
Your relationship with each other is so strong that you are able to tolerate this?
It’s not like that.
I was only thinking she can decide on this.
I don’t know how long you’ll able to sustain being a Doctor?
I’d like to see whether you’ll make any error of judgment.
- Hyung! It wasn’t disclosed intentionally. - Enough!
Hyung, please don’t misunderstand.
I was also persuaded. Although in you eyes it may sound like an excuse, but…
Brat! You are all the same!
Hyung!
Senior, does this make sense?
We can’t condone her anymore.
I have another thought.
Of course, Dr. Jung's course of action is deemed wrong.
The problem is when Dr. Jung knew of the incident, there’s something that’s odd.
Why didn’t she request the hospital to bring out this matter to proper channels?
Is this because she thinks the hospital will conceal this incident?
We need to consider this point of debate.
Why are you being so lenient in dealing with Dr. Jung?
This issue will not be settled by just you forgiving her.
How can we allow this matter to pass?
It looks like she had forgotten that she is a Doctor.
Using someone else’s ID is seen as a fault, the rest of the issue, we can just live with it.
This is retaliation against the medical profession.
Did she or did she not contact any of the family members?
It shouldn’t be done like that.
My department will not to let this pass.
From now on, Dr. Jung is forbidden from the ER.
However, if she disregards her boundaries, it will leave the biggest mess.
I still feel we need to carefully consider this.
What do you mean by saying this?
It’s not difficult for the hospital to dismiss Dr. Jung especially when she wants become a medical malpractice litigation lawyer.
What’s important is we must allow this person to experience the difficulty & hardship of what being a medical practitioner is all about.
Have you all heard?
What?
There’s going to be a discipline tribunal to penalize Dr. Jung Ha Yun.
In this situation, they are going to conduct the tribunal that will force Jung Ha Yun to tender her resignation on her own.
If this is not done well, it will create problems.
They want resolve the issue quickly, that is what they meant.
Really, do you all still don’t know anything about Jung Ha Yun?
She is not that kind of person that will tender her own resignation
Is she really not leaving?
She won’t leave.
I heard there will be a discipline tribunal to penalize…
She should consider our point of view.
Forget everything.
I believe that you had done this with a twinge of guilt & doubt.
In a week’s time, the discipline tribunal will commence.
Since you are at fault; there’s no need to guess what the result will be.
If you wish to leave prior to that, you’re welcome to do so.
Please kindly look after the patient Park Kyung Jun.
Why? Afraid that I might flaunt that you’re not worried?
No…it’s not like that?
I honestly feel that Dr. Jung is a really an outstanding woman.
Although Jin Sang always mentions that you’re not, I feel it’s because he’s envious.
However, I would have never thought that you are that kind of person.
You should know that our medical profession is not easily bullied.
You should have the mindset well prepared for this.
Nurse Jeon, can you help me look after the patient in Room 901, please help me administer an IV fluid?
Yes.
Nurse Seo, I have already informed the patient from room 909 Park Kyung Jun to do more exercise.
Can you please look into it & monitor him?
The Appe patient at room 912, the incision wound might not be good, please look after his dressing for him.
Yes.
But Doctor, where are you going?
Actually, I need a legal advice on something.
There is someone who has been giving me gifts and making fun of me, is that considered as sexual harassment?
Is that a petition?
When I see that person, I really feel uneasy, can I sue him for sexual harassment?
How much is the estimate cost of a lawsuit?
This person…now is not the time.
Dr. Jung, we will attentively look after the patients.
Please don’t worry.
Yes…Thank you.
What is actually wrong with you?
Why don’t you think first before saying anything?
What did I do wrong?
You think you did nothing wrong.
You are going to drive me to my death…mad…mad…
What’s wrong with her?
Don’t you know about the situation that Dr. Jung Ha Yun is in?
It’s because of the law that she is being called to the discipline tribunal.
You’re great having that blabber mouth of yours.
Nurse Seo!
Well done.
I really can’t take this.
I heard there’s a discipline tribunal.
Yes.
That lawyer changed the civil malpractice lawsuit & directly issued a criminal lawsuit against Dr. Yoo.
This is completely your doing.
Is there a need to proceed with the tribunal?
You can just directly tender your resignation.
Aren’t you a Doctor?
Can’t we as colleagues be able to help & forgive each other out?
You may be a Doctor, but you always keep saying that you’re not.
If you don’t have the motivation to become a real doctor then you should go back to being a lawyer.
Why do you persist on becoming a Doctor?
If it’s just for medical knowledge that you’re here, then it’s best that you resign now.
Whatever knowledge you have now is sufficient enough for you to practice law.
This is generally an agreement from the medical faculty that I am relaying this.
It’s our choice not to work with Dr. Jung Ha Yun.
Who is this?
How are you?
It has been years, it looks like it has been 10 years.
Did time pass so fast?
Please sit down, you always sit in that place over there.
Yes.
Have you waited long?
I thought you had become a lawyer that’s why you don’t want to come to this place anymore.
I’ve been busy lately.
Why are you here alone today? Where’s your father?
He is now in a very far away place.
Quickly eat!
I will.
You’ve done well, our Ha Yun.
I can’t afford to give you anything, but you had passed your bar exams.
Of course because I’m your daughter.
Today, I want to spend on a decent meal.
Father, you don’t know this, but in middle school, I always wanted go to this place to eat Jajamyun with you.
This is my resurrection from death after my studies.
Is that so?
Eat!
Come in!
BSurgical Dept 1st year intern, Baek Hyun Woo.
I know. It’s not just in the Surgical Dept that you’re famous but in the entire hospital as well.
Please sit down.
I have something to say to you.
If this case goes to court, will Dr. Jung be called as a witness?
Definitely!
Dr. Jung will be perceived as an inside informer if she stands witness and the hospital won’t get any good from this.
So I’m pleading to you to settle this case out of court and I think it’s really the best solution.
I also have the same wish as you to settle this quickly, but this case is not that simple.
If we bring out & suggest a settlement, this will confirm that we are acknowledging the malpractice.
Dr. Jung Ha Yun’s health is not really well. She has pneumonia.
Although I know that she isn’t well, I didn’t realize that it’s this serious.
With her current condition, standing as a witness in court will hard for her.
Please, I beg you. No matter what, you must settle this matter.
What…Dr. Jung Ha Yun is a witness?
Yes, the other party decided to make her a witness.
I’m really going to faint.
Then what will be the outcome of this?
It’s because Dr. Jung’s ability of persuasion is different.
If we were to lose this case, it will weigh heavily on us & the compensation will be huge.
Is money now a problem?
The reputation and image of our Song Eui National University Hospital is at stake.
So that is why I want to settle this out of court peacefully.
Is she that strong of a witness that we need to settle this peacefully?
I’ll give it a try.
If by any chance they refuse to settle out of court, I have an alternative plan.
What is that?
According to Professor Song at the ER Dept, doing the Tracheostomy procedure may not have been able to save the patient’s life.
If it were you, would you believe that?
What I’m trying to say is must you bring this court?
I’m honoring & respecting the wishes of my client.
You should know very well that medical malpractice lawsuit is not an easy case.
Have you ever thought that this might waste a lot of your client’s time & money?
This situation is slightly different. We have Jung Ha Yun as witness.
ou treat her like she’s an exceptionally outstanding witness.
She’s just a newcomer in the law circle.
Please don’t depend on her too highly.
It’s better than nothing.
Don’t be like this.
Let’s discuss about monetary compensation.
What’s the amount?
We’re not here for the money. The client knows the truth already.
The truth?
Yes.
The purpose is not about the money but the truth.
Before you file your lawsuit, you need to do some preparation.
You need to do an autopsy.
Autopsy?
Yes, you need to go through this procedure in order to determine the cause of death.
You’re saying an autopsy.
The family decided to negotiate with the hospital.
They need to go through the autopsy procedure and the result will determine the compensation.
When will this be done?
It seems that it will be next week Monday.
What is the use of an autopsy? The result will be the same.
Yes, it is. It’s breathing difficulty.
Professor Song is not referring to that.
She said that the Tracheostomy procedure & the cause of death are not related.
But now both parties are determined on their stand.
How can this be happening?
Aren’t you all curious what the result might be?
This can redeem our honor, raise your hands.
What are you doing?
What are you all doing?
Do you think that this situation is worth playing a game on?
No, I just have some slight curiosity on some medical law practices.
If you’re very curious then go & take up law.
Everybody listen carefully.
Next time, the topic of discussion is the lawsuit between the family & Dr. Yoo.
You all better take a considerable amount of time to research on this case & bring out your points.
Where will the autopsy be done?
Most probably, it should be done in our Hospital research lab but the family members wouldn’t allow it.
They said they don’t trust us.
So where?
The Korean National Institute Scientific Investigation.
The situation is trauma to the C-spine, it was not feasible to do an oral intubation probably because the windpipe (trachea) may have suffered trauma.
In consideration to this situation, cricothyrotomy shouldn’t be performed, but Tracheostomy should’ve been performed.
Please switch on the lights
When did you research this so thoroughly?
I didn’t prepare this to hear applause.
It was a misfortune that this happened; it could be us next time.
So we need to grab this opportunity for us to practice & master this.
Do you all concur on the theory?
Isn’t there anything you want to add?
That…weren’t I present at the scene of the incident?
I feel that something is strange.
What is it then?
As far as I can recall, there was a slight hemorrhaging coming from the patient’s ear.
If that kind of hemorrhaging happens, wouldn’t that be…
Wouldn’t what?
What nonsense are you going to say? Don’t say it.
Is it?
Then, there’s nothing.
Yes! Wait a moment…Who is it?
This is unexpected. I would have thought that you’ll be feeling depressed.
How come you know how to find my place?
I went through the Doctors’ profile.
It looks like Dr. Jung really has a home.
Please come in.
This is really great.
If the autopsy result comes out, the hospital will acknowledge its mistake and give the necessary compensation.
Have you made a decision yet?
What?
The way I see it that you already made a decision of some kind.
Yes, although it was a little complicated.
I slept for a few days then felt alright.
I have done well…really well.
Although I was a little unfair & apologetic towards my colleagues, I think I had done well.
Jung Ha Yun…great effort! Aja! Aja! Aja!
The autopsy report has been published.
The cause of death is the cervical vertebra trauma with hemorrhage, leading to neurological injuries with swelling of the brain.
It’s not the blockage of the air passage.
Yes. This is the autopsy report in full details.
The spinal trauma occurred because of the fall.
The cervical vertebrae hemorrhage led to the swelling of the brain, there is no detection of air passage blockage.
This is the result.
This period must have been hard on you, isn’t it?
I’ve given you so much trouble.
I’m really sorry
Don’t be.
The decision to do the autopsy was good.
If it wasn’t done this way, Dr. Yoo you will forever feel uneasy.
This is really great, Doctor.
The matter is already settled.
It’s not easy to become a Doctor. Saving a patient is considered his occupation but when a patient dies, you will feel down and saddened by it.
Cervical vertebrae hemorrhage? Then the cause of death is internal bleeding?
That is what was said.
Look! That was what I was trying to say. I wanted to say that.
When did you want to say this?
Didn’t I say that the patient was hemorrhaging from his ears?
So I wanted to say that it could be internal bleeding.
Hyung asked me to pretend that I didn’t see it, so I didn’t say it.
Dr. Jung Ha Yun will now feel very uneasy, it circulated that it was a medical malpractice and the whole hospital knew about it.
Right! Isn’t today the tribunal?
It will be at 3 pm at the auditorium.
Attendance is compulsory.
Let’s see how Jung Ha Yun will settle this, go & have a look.
Then, this is Dr. Jung’s fault.
Even if it is, her courage needs to be praised.
I have been in the hospital for 16 years, this is the first time I’ve seen a Doctor gather the evidences.
Wouldn’t there be any other reason that she’s doing this?
What will that be?
She must had done some cosmetic surgery & was unsatisfied that’s why she’s seeking revenge from the Doctors.
Aigoo! This child…really…Aigoo!…really…I can’t go on living…what are you thinking?
How are you?
Is Jun Young’s surgery successful?
Yes.
How about the patient with the hip injury? Has he been discharged?
Doctor, didn’t you hear about it?
Heard what?
That…this…
Excuse me.
Yes…Dr Baek…Yes…Now, I’m at the Nurse’s Station.
What?
Have you heard of the report on the autopsy?
Yes.
Dr. Jung’s shallow medical knowledge had nearly ruined the bright future of a potential medical practitioner.
I’m sorry.
People like you Dr. Jung with your bold decision, is it really because of medical malpractice?
The mistrust between the patient & the Doctor will grow wider.
If something like this happens, most people will be afraid to bear the responsibility.
Doctors who only know defensive diagnostic, in the end, the patient is the one who suffers.
We will meet again at the tribunal.
Honestly speaking, I had the same thought as Dr. Jung.
I thought if Jung Hoon didn’t make an error, there was a chance that the patient would’ve been saved.
When you’re not able to save a patient, what do you often feel?
It’s regret!
If I could have done slightly better, there may be a chance that the patient can be saved.
Jung Hoon Hyung, in his heart compared to us, will feel sadder.
You had forgotten one thing. All Doctors’ hearts are alike.
If there is fear that errors will happen, we’ll be overly cautious and have more regrets.
It’s time already, why isn’t she here yet?
Does she know that there is a tribunal, or she has totally given up?
Contact her.
Fine…No need.
Everybody here must be feeling really uncomfortable.
Please carry on with your duties
If she doesn’t participate in this tribunal, it is considered forfeiture and we need to settle this.
Let’s decide on that.
Today’s tribunal is to conduct an inquiry on Surgical Dept Dr. Jun Ha Yun’s use of Yoon Jae Sang’s ID card on the 15th of this month to access the medical records of the ER,
personally made reference to the patient’s medical history records which brought about this incident.
Now we’d like to confirm several points.
Dr Jung Ha Yun.
Yes.
Did you illegally access the patient’s medical history record?
Yes.
After getting the medical history records, you transferred this information to an outsider to be used as evidence for a pending lawsuit, is that correct?
Yes.
Please continue with the questioning.
Using someone else’s ID card & personally made reference to the patient’s medical records without authorization is a serious misconduct to the medical practitioner profession’s ethics & virtues, do you understand?
Yes.
This is strictly an illegal misconduct, do you also know that?
Yes.
We also looked at Dr. Jung Ha Yun’s peer review.
A few months ago, when handling the treatment for the abductor patient Park Soo Chul, you used the pain killer as a form of threat for him to confess, is that correct?
Tell me! Where is she?
What do you think you’re doing? Give this back to me.
Unless he confesses, I won’t give him the pain killer.
Yes.
What do you think of this course of action of yours?
I have no comments on the matter.
Please explain your intention for becoming a medical malpractice litigation lawyer.
In Dr. Jung’s opinion, all medical procedures where errors occur need to go through the legal process, is that correct?
It’s not that.
If the hospital wants to conceal the truth, then that’s unethical.
This situation has to be seen as incompetent.
This is the meaning of litigation.
Do you believe that this incident qualify to that ideology of yours?
Yes. In the beginning it was my initial decision.
The hospital had done a reinvestigation by performing an autopsy & received the result of the report.
What if by chance, we have to go through the pending law suit? What will you do?
Finally, the result of the report has been revealed. Wouldn’t that hurt the family of the patient more?
Faced with the results, what are your thoughts? I’m really curious.
Let's conclude this. Dr. Jung Ha Yun, please say your arguments on the matter.
No matter what the reason is, using somebody elses’s ID card is illegal and this is considered as misconduct on its own.
Because of this incident, the Professors & colleagues felt betrayed.
I know that I had done them wrong & I apologize.
In winter of the year 2000, there is a patient with Stage 2 Liver Cancer in a University Hospital Surgical Dept who suddenly died after surgery.
The report said that there was liver function obstruction.
Actually during extubation procedure, there was an error of judgment among the Doctors attending the surgery.
The guardian knew about this because she overheard the Doctors’ discussion.
For the sake of the patient, she begged the Doctors to reveal the truth.
All the Doctors helped the Doctor who made the error by concealing the truth.
At that time, the guardian was a lawyer who was very well-versed with the law than anybody else.
That person couldn’t penetrate the wall of protection made by his medical colleagues to conceal the error. It was such a thick wall to penetrate.
Is that story the source of your argument?
Dr. Jung, use your own thoughts to clearly state your arguments.
This…for my father’s death, this incident is some kind of a vendetta.
At that time…I sincerely went to look for the Doctor.
It’s because my father’s death was not clear, I looked for any honest & sincere Doctors, but there was no one.
In the end, I didn’t find any.
My father’s medical malpractice lawsuit will be forever concealed & hidden.
From that moment, I decided for the sake of people like me, I will provide the support & help. At least I could be that one & only honest & sincere person.
When I encountered this incident, I had lots of worries.
In the end, the decision I made 8 years ago was not forgotten.
Just using one side to make a decision had brought about this incident. I’m really sorry.
Dr. Jung.
If an exact incident were to happen, what will you do?
Will you do this again in order to protect the patient’s rights and to stir trouble again?
If that should happen again I will always bring out my pain from what happened before
and I also will stand by the patient.
No, I will only choose to stand by the weak.
This is really...
What are we going to do about this matter?
To settle this matter, hearing everybody’s opinion would be better.
Everybody, please say your opinion on the matter.
I feel that we should dismiss her.
The reason why Dr. Jung Ha Yun is being this way is because of her father.
Now, we understand where her feelings are coming from, her strong inclination against the medical profession is because of her vendetta.
I concur with that thought.
Because of her father’s incident, she won’t be able to stand by the point of view of a medical practitioner.
This is just one incident but after this, I will think that it might happen again.
I disagree with that perspective.
This is just one incident and she came here to understand the profession.
The Doctor had no choice to avoid this incident from happening or control the end result.
Dr. Jung Yun Ha had given great consideration before coming here.
There’s no way that she can’t eliminate her prejudice again to the medical profession.
Is it because we need to diminish her prejudices & misunderstanding, do we really need to go that far in order to do so?
Is that standing on the patient’s point of view?
What Doctor Noh’s saying is not wrong.
We need to put the patients first.
Saving the patient is the most important, giving the lawyer & patient have a better understanding, is another matter all together.
Actually this incident, with regards to our working environment, is also at fault.
Most Surgical Doctors are bound to meet a malpractice lawsuit.
In the medical profession, it’s almost definite Doctors will be faulted & errors will be committed.
There are matters that are beyond comprehension by many.
No matter what the medical profession is, we will always be restrained in treating each matter.
Dr. Jung is also like that, if she were to think that there is a matter of suspicion, I also hope that we could have a better understanding of the medical profession.
The issue where we need to dismiss Dr. Jun Ha Yun, we need to be considerate.
That’s fine then.
We heard everybody’s opinion.
I will discuss this further with the Head Dept. to make the final decision.
Why did you do this?
Do you need to suffer all alone on the matter?
Passing the burden to me to worry for you, is that possible?
Every time, you’re wearing a mask pretending to be strong, daring & open minded.
Aren’t you feeling pain inside your heart?
Now what are we suppose to do?
People like you Dr. Jung with your bold decision, is it really because of medical malpractice?
The mistrust between the patient & the Doctor will grow wider.
If something like this happens, most people will be afraid to bear the responsibility.
Doctors who only know defensive diagnostic, in the end, the patient is the one who suffers.
When you’re not able to save a patient, what do you often feel?
It’s regret!
If I could have done slightly better, there may be a chance that the patient can be saved.
Jung Hoon Hyung, in his heart compared to us, will feel sadder.
You had forgotten one thing. All Doctors’ hearts are alike.