Code Blues and such
Today's topic at work is how ridiculous was the Code Blue in last night's local tv drama. I don't really watch local shows that much but it's funny that almost everyone in my timeline and at work was disturbed by that scene in which a person who is in asystole or simply have a flat line on the monitor was defibrillated.
I think it's funny that professionals who have experienced working on this conditions almost think the same thing. Following the ACLS guideline in resuscitating patients who have flat - lined, asystole is NOT a shockable rhythm meaning you can't defibrillate until you obtain a rhythm. That is why it's kinda irritating when you see it on TV, same when a person who is intubated is able to speak since it actually means you're on the wrong pipe. Unfortunately it seems directors or writers doesn't bother to do research or seek advice.
It's a small thing but some times it affects how people think. Relatives of patients' who were coding asked some of us numerous times why we didn't "electrocute" the patient and I couldn't remember the number of times I have to explain it to the relatives. The most memorable one was when I was a senior internship before I took the licensure exam when my junior intern questioned my decision of not defibrillating while we were doing the resuscitation. I actually didn't know if I want to facepalm or headdesk or both, fortunately it was the first week of her rotation thus allowances can be made. When I asked where the hell she learned that, she said it was on TV. As punishment, I made her read the entire ACLS handbook and make an audio-visual report about it.
Specialty training didn't helped either, my mom or cousin hates it when I nit pick on scenes with babies on it, i.e "That isn't a newborn, they couldn't support their head like that!"; "The kid is about xx-month old not 4mo! He can turn to his side!"
And that is why I stick to documentaries or sports channel.
I think it's funny that professionals who have experienced working on this conditions almost think the same thing. Following the ACLS guideline in resuscitating patients who have flat - lined, asystole is NOT a shockable rhythm meaning you can't defibrillate until you obtain a rhythm. That is why it's kinda irritating when you see it on TV, same when a person who is intubated is able to speak since it actually means you're on the wrong pipe. Unfortunately it seems directors or writers doesn't bother to do research or seek advice.
It's a small thing but some times it affects how people think. Relatives of patients' who were coding asked some of us numerous times why we didn't "electrocute" the patient and I couldn't remember the number of times I have to explain it to the relatives. The most memorable one was when I was a senior internship before I took the licensure exam when my junior intern questioned my decision of not defibrillating while we were doing the resuscitation. I actually didn't know if I want to facepalm or headdesk or both, fortunately it was the first week of her rotation thus allowances can be made. When I asked where the hell she learned that, she said it was on TV. As punishment, I made her read the entire ACLS handbook and make an audio-visual report about it.
Specialty training didn't helped either, my mom or cousin hates it when I nit pick on scenes with babies on it, i.e "That isn't a newborn, they couldn't support their head like that!"; "The kid is about xx-month old not 4mo! He can turn to his side!"
And that is why I stick to documentaries or sports channel.