Real ER vs TV ER

[neneRN]

Reading another post re defib use in the ER vs on TV made me think about all the other things that are factored in to add drama to TV ER shows. I think it would be interesting to see what are real ER nurses pet peeves about these shows- also to show some of the students/ non nurses who are considering ER what its really like. I admit I watch ER every Thursday for entertainment value, but I also like to pick it apart.

Like when the ER docs wait outside for the ambulances coming in- okay I've never seen an ER doc step outside the ER doors for any patient, EVER. Nor do the nurses. Our ER docs don't see ANYONE (excluding codes in progress and trauma alerts) until they've been completely triaged by one of the nurses.

I've also never seen any ER staff, MD or nurse, leave the unit to go check on or follow up on any pt. We may make an occasional call to the unit on an interesting case or really bad pt to see if they made it, but that's as far as it goes.

I've never seen more than one ER doc care for a pt (excluding trauma alerts, where it's the trauma surgeon and one ER doc). Even if they're coding, there is only ONE ER doc in the room. (granted, I'm not at a teaching hospital- I'm sure its probably different)

Add to the list..........

[RNin92]

Instead of laughing, look what's being done!

http://www.nursingadvocacy.org

Interesting website.Thanks!!

[Belgndogs]

Calfax, great movie ideas. I especially like the Dolph Lundgren one but would you have him more Punisher-like or from that extremely bad/good movie I Come In Peace? And the ER mistake I liked? They've got a patient flat on his back with BP dropping, bleeding out internally and they say..."there's no JVD!" No kidding??

[Mat Price]

if you watch closely they do change gloves between trauma rooms sometimes but i never see them wash hands, also not sure if you guys are aware but i think michel crichton is an md from harvard med i am pretty sure i read that. i am an avid watcher i love the show been watching since 93 and have to admit it was the show that got me interested in medicine. also there are some really good shows on tlc and discovery health... the critical hour, and trauma life in the er are great shows. the critical hour has had a few episodes from new orleans and charity hospital from where i am from.

mat price

[CHATSDALE]

In Regard To The Cops Not Bringing In Pt Until Too Late I Know That Sometimes Police And Security Personnel Are Instructed Not To Move Injured People Until Trained Medical People Are On The Scene......i Don't Know If This Is The Case Or Not But It May Be One Explanation When They Finally Did Bring Him In They Were Proably Disobeying "rules"

[tmiller027]

In Regard To The Cops Not Bringing In Pt Until Too Late I Know That Sometimes Police And Security Personnel Are Instructed Not To Move Injured People Until Trained Medical People Are On The Scene......i Don't Know If This Is The Case Or Not But It May Be One Explanation When They Finally Did Bring Him In They Were Proably Disobeying "rules"

I know when I worked for the police, the cops WOULD NOT transport an injured person to the hospital whether it was mild chest pains, a bloody nose or a gunshot, no matter how bad or good the person was. The reason for this was liability. If the person were to die, their family could sue the officer saying he was not qualified to provide medical care while transporting and he should have waited for the ambulance. So no matter if its a hangnail, if the prisoner requests medical attention, they call EMS.

[aurora_borealis]

I know when I worked for the police, the cops WOULD NOT transport an injured person to the hospital whether it was mild chest pains, a bloody nose or a gunshot, no matter how bad or good the person was. The reason for this was liability. If the person were to die, their family could sue the officer saying he was not qualified to provide medical care while transporting and he should have waited for the ambulance. So no matter if its a hangnail, if the prisoner requests medical attention, they call EMS.

That's the policy for the CPD too. But I suspect the police officers involved decided to disobey policy, realizing basic humanity outweighs protocol. Too bad the ER staff did think that way.

[Calfax]

Calfax, great movie ideas. I especially like the Dolph Lundgren one but would you have him more Punisher-like or from that extremely bad/good movie I Come In Peace? And the ER mistake I liked? They've got a patient flat on his back with BP dropping, bleeding out internally and they say..."there's no JVD!" No kidding??

Let's see.....I think he should have a mullet like he did as He-man in Master's of the Universe. I've seen I come in Peace about a hundred times, but that 80's Punisher movie is arguably the worst superhero movie ever......excepting maybe Buckaroo Banzai.

[rn4booboo]

I like the way all the doc's are HOT, all the nurses are HOT and all of them have slept with each other and moved on to the next. Why bother with a bar- just go to work to have sex. I do admit I wish more docs looked like Luca or Carter! Not that I would have sex in the supply room. What ever happened to hospital borne infections- NO WAY I am getting down in the ER!

[Shotzie]

Probably the most disgusted I have ever been over any TV show was over the ER episode where the ER/MD coordinated a liver trasnsplant in the ER...hmmm...guess all those highly trained donor and recipient transplant coordinators must have been out for the evening...