Letter #3 To Grey's Anatomy Producer From The ASA

February 8, 2010
Shonda Rhimes
Executive Producer, Grey’s Anatomy
Grey’s Anatomy Production Office
4151 Prospect Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Dear Ms. Rhimes,

I watched the February 4, 2010 episode of Grey’s Anatomy with disappointment as the awareness storyline needlessly frightened the American public and misrepresented the contributions and professionalism that anesthesiologists demonstrate in the field every day, functioning as highly trained medical specialists.
As I mentioned in my previous letter, anesthesia awareness is a very serious and rare event that can occur while a patient is under general anesthesia. Members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) want to make sure you and the public understand that our top priority is patient safety, achieved through vigilance and professionalism. The official seal of the Society displays the word “vigilance” prominently. Our commitment to eradicate patient injury, including unintended intraoperative awareness, is resolute.
Please Take Our Offer to Help
We are delighted that Grey’s Anatomy is showcasing an anesthesiologist. However, we want to ensure that future storylines are medically accurate as they relate to anesthesiology. While I understand that the characters and storylines presented in Grey’s Anatomy are fictional, many viewers take the medical situations portrayed in the show as true or “real” representations of medical treatment. We receive numerous inquiries from patients when a show like this week’s Grey’s Anatomy air, and we want to be able to provide the public the accurate medical facts without correcting falsehoods on their favorite television show. As the President of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, I believe you have a tremendous opportunity to educate your viewers on medical topics while delivering high quality entertainment. The two are not mutually exclusive and we are eager to strengthen and improve the delivery of information on anesthesiology through Jason George’s new character.
I urge you to recognize that episodes like the one on anesthesia awareness have the potential to alarm and inappropriately induce patients to avoid needed, and sometimes life-saving, surgical procedures. ASA members are available to consult with you on future anesthesia storylines.
Anesthesia Resource
More information from the ASA on anesthesia topics can be found on www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com.
I would be happy to speak with you directly about anesthesia awareness or any medical questions related to anesthesia that you may have. I can be reached directly at 617-243-6031.

Sincerely,
Alexander Hannenberg, M.D.
President American Society of Anesthesiologists