Many millions of Americans learn CPR, unfortunately, through television. This is a great example of how committed we are to authenticity. We have gone to the expense of crafting a customized fiberglass frame chest that goes over the actor when patients need CPR. It allows for us to really wail and do CPR from the shoulders with locked elbows as it’s supposed to be. You see the chest recoil! Obviously, you can’t do that on a real actor who didn’t have that protection. If you’re breaking ribs on a real actor, you’ve got a problem.
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ACEP Now: Vol 34 – No 11 – November 2015KK: Let me leave you with one thought. This year, two emergency physicians have done great things individually that have really positively impacted and elevated the status of emergency medicine. Steve Stack is the president of the AMA. You’ve taken a different path, within the same year, to expose what we do to others in a positive and more accurate light. The two of you, in two very different ways, have made this a monumental time for emergency medicine. We are so proud of both of you and grateful for what you’ve accomplished.
RM: That means a whole ton, and it’s just the medicine I needed today. You would imagine that there is a mixed feeling when we see billboards and ads in L.A. and New York and everywhere in between about the show. It’s a lot of pressure, and there’s nothing like encouragement and belief when you’re under a lot of pressure. I’m very appreciative of that.
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2 Responses to “Emergency Medicine Code Black Documentary Basis for CBS TV Primetime Series”
December 13, 2015
Michael MenowskyAn “accurate portrayal”, I think not! On an episode they had an ED attending performing an ovarian de-torsion? The premise being he trained in England as a surgeon before making the jump to EM. They quietly secured an OR and performed a surgery on a patient. Now I’m not sure about California, but I doubt this would or could happen?
The show lost all credibility after that!
January 6, 2016
Louise B AndrewI agree with you, Michael. An EP who performed surgery in an OR in any hospital in this country without privileges in surgery would (not be able to get in or have assistance but also) be fired, would lose his license for good, and then probably be prosecuted for assault and battery.
I watched the first episode, in which I believe Marsha Gay Hardin was trying to intubate an awake talking patient for CPR… my thought was “this feels like the very first episode of ER. Where is the medical editing?” I haven’t watched since.