Letter #1 To Grey's Anatomy Producer From The ASA

This is an old letter but the it was so well written that I wanted to share. Following last weeks episode, it may be time to send them another one.

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