Edogawa Nishiguchi Ayakashi Clinic - Chapter 7
As the patient’s name appeared on the display screen after I passed their consultation card through the card reader, Dr. Tengo almost immediately called them to the examination room.
“Let’s see. So after the consultation, I have to enter the diagnosis on the consultation receipt that matches the prescription—”
What surprised me the most during my training was the “consultation receipt”.
The diagnosis entered into the clinic’s reception machine — that is, the name of the disease that is needed when claiming payment from the national healthcare insurance system — does not necessarily correspond to the patient’s condition.
It seems that in this world, there are some prescribed medicines that can be linked to some diseases and some that cannot.
In other words, if you have a stomachache and the doctor prescribes “Gaster”[1], it wouldn’t be strange to see “gastric ulcer” written in the patient’s examination record. But if that diagnosis is not written on the record, then it cannot be used to claim insurance payments.
It seems that “Gaster” is approved by the government to treat stomach ulcers, but strangely, it’s mainly associated with stomach ulcers even though they don’t cause stomach aches all the time.
“Ah… Oh no.”
Just as I was reviewing my tasks, the display changed from “examination” to “billing”, and a prescription started printing out from the printer at the same time. When I confirmed the contents of the examination on the monitor, only the word “consultation” and the prescription appeared. In this district, pediatric medical treatment for children 16 years old and below is free.
The reception machine also automatically picks the disease name from the record and fills it on the prescription given. What’s more, the device notifies me if information in some fields is not enough, so I just follow the directions and enter them and just hand over the medical statement and prescription to the patient. During my training as a medical receptionist, I’ve heard that pediatric consultations tend to be troublesome, but I wonder about that.
“Mrs. Hirai–”
“…Yes?”
I haven’t even heard the sound of their footsteps, but the mother and child pair who wore the large face masks stood in front of me.
The things I rehearsed inside my head earlier flew out the window in an instant.
“Ah… um… let’s see… oh, this is your medical statement and your prescription. You can fill your prescriptions at any pharmacy when you present your prescription form, so…”
“No, we only fill my child’s prescription from this clinic’s pharmacy…”
Maybe she’s referring to the affiliated pharmacy across the road which looks like the first floor of a private house that was converted into a store. That’s fine and all, but please don’t do that, it’s so unexpected. Anyway, tie-ups between pharmacies and clinics are normal, and the system is mostly beneficial for both parties.
“Oh, oh I see! If you have a preferred pharmacy, then that’s better, right?”
“…Are you new here?”
Please don’t do that, I’m barely adjusting by being cheerful. It’s the only thing keeping me going right now.
“Yes, I am! Nice to meet you!”
After I stood there watching the mother and child pair leave in silence, I felt my shoulders relax.
Man, that almost took all the energy out of me.
I fell back on my chair as if my knees gave out on me. I’ve only had to entertain one patient so far, but the nervousness I felt was too much.
“I wonder if everyone feels like this during their first day at a job…”
“They must have.”
“Akuh!?”
When I turned around, I saw that Dr. Tengo was standing behind me.
“Tired?”
“No! I-I’m perfectly fine!”
He merely stood there and stared at me.
Please stop that, I’m weak against your cool gaze.
“Wanna eat?”
“Eh!? I’m fine, really, I had a proper breakfast this morning!”
“It’s already lunch though.”
Confused, I looked at the wall clock and saw that it was already noon. Still not believing my eyes, I looked down at my wristwatch and saw that it was indeed noon. Does it mean he examined that patient for 2 hours? What’s going on? Is it just me, or does excessive nervousness make you lose track of time?
“No, I… h-huh?”
“Do you like pasta?”
“Yes?”
“You like it?”
No, no.
It’s not that I didn’t hear you, so please don’t whisper too close to my ear.
“I… I do.”
What the heck, I feel really queasy because it feels like I’m confessing to him.
“Then let’s have lunch, shall we?”
“Um, but aren’t the morning consultation hours not done yet?”
Dr. Tengo disappeared into the kitchen at the back of the clinic as if he hadn’t heard me.
“… What should I—”
“Nanakida.”
Dr. Tengo suddenly poked his face out of the door and beckoned to me.
“Ah, y-yes, I’m coming right now!”
Free staff meals at the clinic and pasta made by a cool, handsome doctor.
I don’t understand why it seemed too luxurious to me, but why Dr. Tengo was holding a wok in the kitchen[2] was a mystery.
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Gaster (ガスター)
Is a Japanese brand of omeprazole which is used to treat ulcers and hyperacidity. Source
[2] A wok in the kitchen – is he making fried rice again? 😂😂😂
