The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (2025) s01e03 Episode Script

1
THE TRAUMA CODE: HEROES ON CALL
DEPARTMENT OF TRAUMA SURGERY
DUTY DOCTOR ROOM
You a zombie?
Did you die? Are you dead?
Right. You're still alive.
Keep it down. Quiet.
Sh!
Oh! Oh! Again?
-Oh!
-What is it?
Email from the audit office.
Well, Dr. Beck definitely
has been going all out.
They wanna slash our budget
because we're operating at a loss.
Hello, this is the Trauma Unit.
Ah!
This is Yang Jae-won. Go ahead.
Dr. Jae-won.
Multiple vehicle pile-up. Come quickly.
On my way.
Dr. Baek. You need to wake up now.
A patient?
Yes. 119 is on its way.
Let's go.
-I'm sorry.
-Oh!
Dr. Baek, at this rate,
I'm gonna be the one facing death.
-You wanna test that?
-No, sir.
He's a good runner.
Let's get the room ready.
-They'll be here soon. Okay.
-Yes. Okay.
Are you okay?
-I'm sorry.
-Yes.
I'm sorry.
-Appreciate it.
-Sure.
Oh! Oh!
Here we are. What happened, Gangster?
-Uh, what do you mean, "Gangster"?
-Just get on with the debrief.
Yeah. A dump truck hit a car
with two people inside.
The roads are wet,
and the accident happened inside a tunnel,
so the driver and passenger in the car
right in front of the truck
took most of the damage.
They're being transported here.
REGIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTER
Let's see.
His stomach.
Abdominal bleeding. It's too severe.
-Hey.
-Yes?
Resuscitation room now!
-Yes, sir.
-Right.
-When did he lose consciousness?
-About 15 minutes ago.
Thanks.
-Get a line in. Take him to the OR.
-Understood. Right away.
Dr. Baek. Another patient has arrived.
All right, make way.
You got it!
Okay.
-Scissors.
-Here.
We're taking the patient
to surgery.
-I'll be right there. Tell Anus!
-Yes, sir.
Uh, please perform
the anesthesia.
All right.
-Dr. Hwang.
-Yes?
Could you maybe
hurry up a little?
Come on.
You know, I already feel uncomfortable
performing the anesthesia
without any testing first.
And now you're rushing me,
and I don't think that's right.
That's not what I meant.
The patient is in critical condition--
I know. Fine, fine.
I'll take care of it.
You just stay in your lane.
Hey, Doc? Look at the patient.
He's already on his twelfth unit of blood.
Are you gonna take the blame
if this guy dies?
Hold on.
-What did that thing just say to me?
-"Th… That thing?"
-"That thing"?
-Yes.
Some of us are running ragged,
and here you are, half-asleep,
calling me "that thing"?
What? Half-asleep?
-Did you hear that?
-Easy now.
You don't think
I take this seriously?
-Use your words.
-I'm done using my words.
-I said enough!
-Dr. Hwang!
All right.
I'll get on the anesthesia
and get it done right away.
But, Dr. Yang, I need to know her name.
I'm ready to file a formal complaint
with the head of the department.
-I'll make sure she's penalized.
-Stop!
-What's your name?
-Oh yeah?
Hey, Anesthetics.
What's the problem?
What's your name?
Sir?
Don't ask questions
that you can't answer.
Unless you've got a death wish,
you'd better start prepping for surgery.
Yes, Doctor.
I'll get started right away. Go.
I'll go scrub in.
-Hey, Gangster.
-Yes?
What takes priority
when you have a patient in front of you?
Sorry, Doctor.
Don't pick fights
with just anyone.
Leave the fighting… to me.
Okay.
What do you think of Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk?
I don't know him well enough
to have an opinion.
I just want
an honest assessment of the man.
You encounter different types of surgeons
as an anesthesiology resident. Right?
Mm…
Well, Dr. Baek is…
He's incredible.
He performed a decompression
of intracranial pressure
and a partial lung resection
in under two hours.
Well, I think that speaks for itself.
All right.
Well, I guess his skills are
as good as they say.
It's unfortunate that when you have
that kind of individualized genius,
it can actually do harm
to the wider organization.
On that note, if there's any… information
that you could provide me with,
I would be inclined to help you with
anything you need down the track.
A spy. Is that what you're looking for?
Oh goodness.
Just look at the moon tonight.
SURGERY IN PROGRESS
NAME: LEE GI-YEONG, GENDER: MALE
HEMOPERITONEUM
Irrigation.
Blood pressure's dropping.
-Hurry with the inotropics.
-Yes, sir.
-Warm saline, please.
-Okay.
-Anus. Suction. Focus!
-Yes, Doctor.
Inotropics are in.
Get 30 more units of blood.
Increase transfusion rate.
Okay.
Uh, Dr. Baek? There's too much bleeding.
We need to find the source
of the bleeding.
BP is still dropping.
It's 60 over 40 now.
Dr. Baek?
Dr. Baek, what should we do next?
Dr. Baek! Dr. Baek, we'll lose the patient
if we keep going like this!
Dr. Baek.
Dr. Baek!
Suture.
Quickly. It's slippery.
How did you find that?
I couldn't see anything.
Suction. Stay focused!
I'm not doing this alone.
Yes, Doctor.
The superior mesenteric artery
was damaged.
Anus, get the omni retractor
and cauterize the bleeding.
Okay.
Uh, what do we do about the liver?
We can't cauterize all of this.
The damage is far too extensive.
I think we'll need to remove at least 80%
to stabilize the bleeding.
A ruptured liver.
He's had cirrhosis of the liver too.
It's at least a Class B.
Then his liver function
is basically at zero.
Even if we stop the bleeding,
you think he'll survive?
Chances are slim. Gauze.
In that case,
shouldn't we just
close him up now, Dr. Baek?
Medicine is about probability.
Death is never certain.
But even so,
it'll only buy him a few more hours.
We don't get credit for trying hard.
Oh.
There could be another option.
Jeez!
What the hell does she know?
Does she think she's a doctor now,
or what?
Think you could hold
your tongue for one minute?
-Huh?
-That's Nurse Cheon Jang-mi.
She's been working here since
the days of Dr. Kwon.
She's a fifth-year senior.
She's probably seen
more trauma cases than anyone.
And she's more experienced than you or me.
So… try showing her some respect.
Like kids at a playground.
Are you done?
-Sorry, Doctor.
-Sorry, Doctor.
Gangster,
what are you suggesting we do?
-What if he received a donor liver?
-Whose liver are we taking?
Yours? Mine? His?
Uh, Dr. Baek, earlier today,
I ran into an organ donor coordinator.
-Yes.
-I'm sorry.
ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR CONSENT FORM
The fact that they're here now
means that an organ donor
was declared brain-dead.
-Get in touch with him right away.
-Yes, sir.
Kang Chang-su speaking.
We have a patient in need of
a liver transplant, and we're wondering…
A patient's been
declared brain-dead, right?
-Has the surgery already begun?
-Well…
Everything's been put on hold.
Their next of kin said they'd come,
but we've lost contact.
So we're just waiting for them now.
You know how it is. We can't do anything
without their consent.
Tell us their address.
Pardon?
Who was that?
We'll send someone
to get their consent. Give us the address.
I can't. That would be illegal.
Never mind that.
Saving the patient comes first,
doesn't it?
Dr. Baek,
let's check their blood type first.
If the donor's blood type isn't O,
then it would be difficult
even with their consent.
Lee Gi-yeong's blood type is O.
Just a moment.
Uh, their name again?
Oh, the patient?
The patient's name is Lee Gi-yeong.
NEXT OF KIN INFORMATION: LEE GI-YEONG, SON
LEE HYE-YEONG, DAUGHTER
We have the donor's son's name
on the next of kin file,
and it's the same as your patient's.
Oh. Just a moment.
Uh, is the date of birth July 12, 1988?
That's right.
You don't think…
He's the donor's family?
Hold on. Could that woman be…
There was someone
in the passenger seat with him.
Do you know who it is?
It's probably
the daughter, Lee Hye-yeong.
So both siblings were
on their way to our hospital
to see their father, who was brain-dead
when they got into an accident.
That's good.
Can you confirm
the donor's blood type is O?
Well, that is his blood type, but…
We'll proceed with
a transplant between immediate family.
What? Um, but that's illegal
without next of kin--
Oh yeah?
The next of kin are unconscious,
so who do you expect to give consent?
Lee Gi-yeong is gonna die
without that liver.
You could add him to
the transplant waitlist--
Are you serious right now?!
You want us to wait
till the patient dies? Huh?
We will now proceed with
Mr. Lee Gi-yeong's liver transplant.
If any issues arise from this,
I will take full responsibility.
All right, fine.
I'll rush it through.
Oh, and, uh,
I need a favor.
We're transplanting
the brain-dead patient's liver.
The surgery will begin at once.
So contact the recipients
of the other organs.
Oh, uh, okay. I'll do that.
And also,
Dr. Baek has made a request.
We got lucky today.
I thought we might lose this patient,
but now he has a donor liver.
Sure,
but what you're saying is a little…
Can you
save a brain-dead patient?
Sir?
Answer me.
No.
I can save Lee Gi-yeong.
So what do you think
the right decision is?
Sorry, sir.
I will save him, no matter what.
And I'll make sure the donor
passes away in peace.
You may begin.
A moment of silence.
Right. Okay.
Dr. Baek.
You only gave us a second just now.
He'd understand.
He'd care more about saving his child
than our moment of silence.
Scalpel.
NAME: LEE JI-YEONG, GENDER: MALE
ORGAN DONATION
One more.
It's all ready.
Huh?
Why are you running?
We have another patient. Lee Hye-yeong.
Oh!
-Wait, Dr. Baek. Dr. Baek. Just a moment.
-Oh!
-Oh!
-What? What is it?
Ah shit.
I was gonna tell him about
the audit team's email earlier.
Damn.
Hey, hey.
Which OR is the female patient in?
Ah, in OR 27 in the main building.
Ah. Okay.
Dr. Jung Jun-su is in surgery now!
-Huh?
-Got it?
Oh!
Whoa, Dr. Baek. Just wait.
Uh, uh…
They transferred her to orthopedics.
They're taking care of her now.
Come on. She's a major trauma patient.
-No, well, the thing is…
-Come on!
Dr. Jung Jun-su,
the one performing the surgery, is…
quite similar to you.
What?
-He's a genius?
-Yes.
Huh?
Uh, no, he's not…
It's just that he's… a little…
fiery.
All right. I understand.
I just need to check something.
Damn it!
Hold that thing properly!
What the…
Yes, I'm Baek Kang-hyuk of trauma surgery.
I just need to check on something.
Huh.
Oh, that Dr. Baek.
I've heard a lot about you
from Dr. Han Yu-rim.
He took my protégé!
I could chew him up,
and it still wouldn't be enough.
DIE, BAEK KANG-HYUK
My teacup…
Baek Kang-hyuk!
I heard you triaged her.
You here to check on her status now?
Well, you should've done
a better job to begin with.
'Cause you've made this particularly
difficult for me. Just look at this mess.
Are there ever
any easy patients?
It's just up to you to do a good job.
-What was that, son?
-Uh…
If I'm your child, I guess…
that makes me the son of a bitch.
You little bastard. Listen here.
Wait, wait, wait.
Dr. Jung, it's all right.
Uh, the board of directors
won't let it slide
if you hit someone again.
Jesus Christ.
Spread them out, moron!
Uh,
her creatine has really spiked.
Nurse? What's the patient's IO like?
Fluids and blood transfusions
add up to approximately 2,000 liters,
but there hasn't been any urine output.
There's no kidney function.
No.
She's already experiencing hydronephrosis.
And lab results show
that uremia's developing too.
Then will she be
in the nephrology ward?
Yes. Dr. Jeong-u of nephrology
is on his way here right now.
-This is Shin Jeong-u.
-This is Baek Kang-hyuk of trauma surgery.
-Yes?
-Lee Hye-yeong is your patient, right?
Lee Hye-yeong?
Yes. What is your current
care plan for her?
Well, I'll have her on dialysis
and monitor her labs.
That is a death sentence.
The mortality rate is too high in
trauma patients with acute renal failure.
I know that, but our hands are tied.
It's not like we can just find a kidney.
I've…
I've already secured one.
Oh, and, uh, I need a favor.
I want you to reserve a kidney
when we retrieve that liver.
I have a feeling that
the patient has acute renal failure.
I'll perform the transplant right away.
Could you begin dialysis in the OR?
The kidney has arrived.
Doctor,
I heard all about the kidney.
Yes, the donor is
Lee Hye-yeong's father.
I'll leave you to manage the dialysis.
I'll start now.
-Anus.
-Yes?
The patient
is in very serious condition.
Let's do this in 30 minutes.
Yes, Dr. Baek.
A kidney transplant
in 30 minutes?
Man, you do talk a big game.
Scalpel.
NAME: LEE HYE-YEONG, GENDER: FEMALE
KIDNEY TRANSPLAN
3-0.
Now, cut.
Okay. Done.
That took exactly 24 minutes.
I know. I'm amazing.
You don't have to keep staring. Let's go.
After you.
Hey.
How could you be yawning right now?
Aren't we all done now?
And you were just starting to show
some promise today. But now it's gone.
Let's go. We have somewhere to be.
-Where, Doctor?
-Just follow me.
A moment of silence first.
Uh, didn't we do that earlier?
We were in a hurry then.
We have time now.
So let's do it.
Uh…
I guess I should've known better.
It's a noble sacrifice, organ donation.
We should…
offer our thanks.
Rest in peace…
Lee Gi-yeong.
I'm tired.
Wake up!
Oh my.
You trying to crack your skull?
Sorry.
Where are you going?
Outpatient appointments.
-We can do the rounds later after lunch.
-Okay.
Only an hour?
Hey, Anus.
He just called him "Anus."
Wow. Now, that was just pure evil.
Why? That's your name.
It's what Dr. Baek calls you. Hmm?
Meh.
I've been in trauma surgery for so long,
and he still calls me Anus!
Hey.
It's not all that bad though.
You've lasted a month.
Hey man. What do you think?
You know what Dr. Baek
says to me most days?
Number one, "Hey, Anus."
Number two, "You're too slow."
Number three, "What do you think?
No sweat, no sweat, no sweat."
He says it's easy to remove a liver
and transplant a liver.
It's easy to sew up an artery and even
make incisions into someone's heart.
Come on, that is
difficult.
Ah, guess he's just the type
to brag about himself.
I wouldn't even be saying this
if it was all just talk.
The thing is,
it is easy for Dr. Baek though.
Hmm.
Am I the strange one?
Huh?
Hmm, not at all.
It's all completely normal.
And your liver function tests as well.
There are no notable issues.
See you again in six months,
and if your test results are still normal,
well then,
it'll be your final visit with us.
Dr. Baek, I appreciate that.
I never properly thanked you.
I was so out of it in the helicopter.
Well, if you're that thankful,
could you do me a small favor?
A favor?
One, two, three.
You're the first doctor
who's asked for a picture.
Well, I like to commemorate my patients.
Thanks so much.
Putting them all on display
is the least I can do.
If not, no one would ever know.
And they should know.
Dr. Baek!
Yang Jae-won, where are you?
Where'd that snake go if he's not
at his outpatient appointments?
Shit.
Hi, ma'am. Are you lost?
Oh, no. That's on the other floor.
The other building.
Hey, Anus.
Yes?
This the first time you've seen
a liver transplant patient?
Yes.
And you, Gangster?
First time.
So, it's your first time caring
for someone post-transplant?
Yes.
Ah!
That's not good.
I gotta teach you so both of you
can start pulling your own weight.
Uh. Ah…
Oh, Dr. Baek, I, um…
I wanted to speak with you
about something.
Ah.
What? Why?
-Well…
-She told you?
The thing is…
"Budget cuts"?
You gotta be kidding me with this.
The audit team's been sending us
email after email
ever since you arrived at our hospital.
Wait, so… tell me what the agency's
justification is for these budget cuts?
It's more about
keeping a baseline.
If you go above that,
your budget gets cut.
Otherwise, it's all good.
That's what I'm saying.
Their baseline is all wrong.
I sent them a whole compilation
of theses and case reports.
Look, I understand what you're saying.
Consider me. I am the epitome
of our hospital's trauma unit.
A senior nurse
with only five years' experience.
I wouldn't be a senior in any other unit.
We're barely getting by here.
I mean, this unit's all for show anyways.
Understand?
Just how do you think that our trauma unit
stayed afloat under these conditions?
We would all bow our heads to management,
then grovel before the directors
and plead with the review board.
Somehow, we managed to survive.
Those were our options.
Great work, then.
Is that what you wanted to hear?
If you keep doing what you're doing,
the Trauma Unit's done for.
-I wanna protect what we've built.
-Ah, Gangster.
I disagree with you.
-No. We're gonna--
-Dr. Baek!
There you are.
Oh!
Oh! So how are you doing?
Why are you here?
Come with me now!
Where?
You'll find out when we get there!
I'd like to know beforehand.
Ah shit. This sucks.
I'm sorry, sir.
Okay, well, I know you all took
the time out to be here.
So… for today's meeting…
Did you know
the meeting was canceled because of you?
I was under the impression
they weren't mandatory.
Hey, uh…
Uh-huh? Dr. Han. Hmm?
Ugh, this guy.
Ah, Dr. Baek.
I texted and emailed everybody,
requesting that they make time
for this meeting today.
And still, you didn't come.
Yep. I saw that.
I just forgot.
It happens. We all forget, right?
Sure, it can happen. Yeah.
However…
…the loss incurred by the Trauma Unit--
Huh?
Over three hundred million?
We have to put a stop
to this kind of thing.
Only 300 million won?
Our government funding can supplement
that amount, can't it?
Man, this guy is just…
Yeah.
That funding is typically used for repairs
and the purchasing of our new equipment.
Such funding is not to be used
to cover our losses like this.
Yes, but it was originally
designed for that.
Why not cover our losses with it?
On that note, why don't we review
the ICU's trauma unit?
It's been the backup for the overflow
of patients from the main building.
Even now, there are only
three beds available,
and two of them are taken up
by other departments.
Hey, hey. All patients are given
equal treatment around here.
Are you serious?
If you're using funds for trauma patients
on other things,
I think most people
would consider that fraud.
Whoa, whoa.
Yeah, well, if they audit us,
300 million won
will be the least of our worries.
We could be out billions
or even tens of billions.
Then you should stop overtreating
your patients.
The attendings won't shut up
about funding.
Hey! Watch yourself!
Your issue is that
you can't keep anything to yourself.
-You just have to say it!
-You better get used to it!
Now, as for our financial loss,
I have no interest in your complaining.
I have patients that need saving,
so excuse me.
Hey! Stop!
Oh! You better get back here right now!
Yeah? Open the door. I dare you!
Hey, hey!
Hey, hey! You're gonna leave?
Get back here!
You son of a bitch! Come back here!
Jesus Christ.
Hey. Yu-rim?
Yes. Yes, Jae-hun.
That son of a bitch is tough.
Real pain in the ass.
Right?
He's gonna keep making trouble.
We need an answer!
Do you think the board of directors
will stand for this loss?
I could lose my shot as hospital director.
You could lose out as future
director of planning and coordination.
That… that can't happen.
Jae-hun, Jae-hun.
Jae-hun. You leave it to me.
Let me handle Dr. Baek.
Everyone has skeletons
in their closet.
Please just trust me on this one.
Hi, Dr. Yoon.
Heard you were back.
I think we should get dinner.
Uh…
You were with
Doctors for International Peace, right?
I have a favor to ask of you.
INTENSIVE CARE UNI
NAME: LEE HYE-YEONG
Oh, Dr. Baek.
Is it gonna be okay?
The swelling will take a while.
I think she'll be fine.
-But we'll see.
-Uh…
I wasn't talking about that.
I'm talking about that meeting
you went to.
Why are you so worried?
Keep your head down.
I know, but I'm worried about
the Trauma Unit.
Hey, Anus. You have one mission in life.
That is to take care of your patients.
All this stuff about
our department's budget, it's unimportant.
Yeah, all right.
So, anyway, let's get dinner.
It's my treat.
-Get dinner?
-Yes.
-At a restaurant?
-That's right.
Yes?
Make sure that
you tell Gangster what I told you.
Huh? About what?
What did you say?
Yeah.
He wants you to come out looking human.
Yeah, all right. Fine.
Ugh. I can't believe them.
Just because I don't get dressed up?
When I do dress up…
It's good to be scared.
That means you still have something…
As long as I'm not naked, it's fine.
What to wear?
But I'm scared too.
Do you understand?
These shows are so unrealistic.
Doctors are never that handsome.
-So hot!
-I know!
Dr. Baek! Dr. Baek!
Oh God. Oh God.
So sorry I'm late.
Wow, Anus.
You clean up very nicely.
Actually, my colleagues know me
as someone who's well-dressed.
I assume you're talking like this
'cause you're hungry.
Actually, someone bought me
this whole outfit.
Who's that? Girlfriend?
And you don't seem like a mama's boy.
Anyway, let's go.
Who knows when we'll get an urgent call.
So we should enjoy ourselves.
What are we eating anyway?
Sushi? Beef?
-Fried chicken?
-Oh boy.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE CUISINE
Mmm!
Have some food.
I should've dressed a little nicer.
I'm close to home, so I dressed casually.
Well, clothes really don't matter
as long as you feel comfortable.
Says the guy in, ooh, Prada. Oh!
Looking good.
Don't you think we ordered too much?
The food here is really expensive.
Hmm? I've got money.
Mm. Were you born rich?
Were you born into riches?
Hmm?
I'm the rich one.
My parents passed away young.
Sorry, I shouldn't have… brought it up.
It's fine. It doesn't bother me.
Oh, that's right. Compassion.
It might not be the ideal moment
to bring this up, but now that we have…
My mom died when I was very young,
so I have no memories of her.
And my father worked as a cleaner.
One morning, as he was driving to work,
he got into a car accident.
He was so severely injured by it
that none of the hospitals
would treat him.
Eventually,
he died at the very last hospital
that he arrived at.
That's why I'm a doctor.
That was my sob story.
That's not what I meant when I--
If you won't eat,
I'll eat everything.
Wait. We're going to eat too.
Eat up, Dr. Yang.
Okay.
Oh, that's right.
I'm curious about one thing.
Your tattoo.
This is just, mm…
They said it would
keep me out of harm's way.
Huh?
I've run through countless war zones.
And I've never been shot.
Just cover me!
Hmm. Syria, huh?
When you were in
Doctors for International Peace?
Well, something like that. Yeah.
Mm.
Is that when you learned
to fly a helicopter?
Do doctors in Syria
fly the helicopters themselves?
I have an important announcement.
Anus, this is about you.
You're part of trauma surgery now.
And it feels wrong
to keep calling you "Anus."
Yes, you're right. It's wrong.
So I thought
I would…
stop calling you Anus from now on.
How about instead…
…"Number One"?
-"One"?
-Yes.
Like… Protégé One?
Napkin.
Sure.
No, not protégé.
Slave One.
Ah, no way. No way.
Just use my real name. My real name!
-Hmm.
-Hey, Number One. Answer that.
EMERGENCY ROOM, HNUH
This is Yang Jae-won speaking.
Huh?
Pedestrian traffic accident.
Tell 'em we'll be there in ten minutes.
We're coming right now.
-Oh, I'll come too.
-No. It's your day off.
Hmm.
All right.
It's my day off.
I wanted to say this earlier,
but I'll keep it short for now.
Gangster. I think you're
seriously mistaken about something.
Fights are about winning,
not about protection.
So I will win.
Finish up before you come.
What is he saying?
I can't finish this.
Uh! Uh, uh, taxi!
-Hey, hey, hey! Number One! Hang on.
-Taxi, taxi, taxi, taxi! Huh?
Let's make it five.
Hey, we need to borrow that.
CHINESE DELIVERY
Dr. Baek, 34 minutes since we began CPR.
Clear.
Shock.
Stop it.
Take a break.
Phone the next of kin.
It's too late.
It's not your fault, Dr. Baek.
The cervical vertebra was broken.
Their skull is crushed as well.
If we'd gotten here faster…
It would have been the same.
Dr. Baek, you… you can't save
every single one.
Fall victim incoming!
Hey, make way.
Prep an OR! And hurry!
Dr. Baek!
SURGERY IN PROGRESS