February 6, 2006
Mr. Peter Horton
Co-Executive Producer and Director
“Grey’s
Anatomy”
4151 Prospect Ave.
Los Angeles , CA 90027
Dear Mr. Horton,
As President of the American Society of Anesthesiologists
(ASA), the largest professional organization in the world
devoted to the care and safety of patients who receive
anesthesia, I would like to comment on the episode of “Grey’s
Anatomy” that aired on Sunday, February 5, 2006.
We in the anesthesia community were alarmed at the depiction
of the anesthesiologist who, during a “code black” situation
in the hospital, deserted his patient and left a young
paramedic alone in the O.R. to care for the patient.
We understand that Dr. Milton is a fictional character
and his actions were scripted for dramatic effect, and
not intended to represent the profession of anesthesiology
in a realistic sense. However, we would like to point
out that, of all medical specialists, an anesthesiologist
is probably the least likely to fall apart or “bail
out” in a crisis situation.
Anesthesiologists are at the forefront of treating soldiers
on the battlefield. They volunteer to be part of disaster
medical assistance teams that are deployed as first responders
in all types of dangerous scenarios. Their training prepares
them to act decisively in critical care and emergency
situations. On a more routine basis, they are asked to
put themselves at risk in the course of their jobs, by
staying with patients during X-rays when everyone else
leaves the room, or by being first line responders to
unknown diseases when emergency intubation is required.
I would also like to respectfully point out that there
is much more to the job of the anesthesiologist than
was portrayed in the February 5 episode. It’s not
just about breathing for the patient and “keeping
him under.” Dr. Milton would have been sustaining
all of the life functions of the patient during the events
in the O.R.
The wide appeal and success of “Grey’s Anatomy” indicates
how powerful and believable your work has become in the
eyes of your audience. While scriptwriters can and often
do fictionalize certain facts, this is the second time
that anesthesiologists have been portrayed negatively
and unrealistically on the show. We at ASA would like
to contribute to a more positive depiction of our specialty
in future episodes.
In real life, anesthesiologists have
been held up as an example in the patient safety arena
time and time again. Vigilance is the cornerstone of
our profession, perhaps more than for any other medical
specialty. Our members and leadership care very much
about having the best possible outcomes for our patients.
We wish that your viewers could see the compassionate,
skilled, responsible physicians who make possible 100,000
quiet victories each day through the modern miracle
of anesthesia.
There
were a number of factual errors related to anesthetic
administration, such as removing the anesthesia equipment
because of the risk of an increased oxygen concentration.
Also, the latest medical literature shows there is
not a cause and effect relationship between epidurals
and cesarean sections, as Dr. Bailey said while in labor.
If your viewers accept this as fact, it could do them
a disservice.
On request, our physician members offer
their assistance to producers, novelists, scriptwriters
and others in the entertainment industry by providing
them with current, accurate and realistic medical information.
We offer this to you also at no charge so you may keep
your viewers—our
patients—well informed. We would welcome your questions
at any time at communications@asahq.org
Sincerely,
Orin F. Guidry, M.D.
President
American Society of Anesthesiologists
OFG/gs