Er (tv)

[lance]

On to-night's episode of ER a patient on warfarin was given a spinal tap and blood oozed out. One doctor commented his INR was less than 2 and that was safe.

ER is usually factual. Would this happen in real-life?

 

[Bina]

Oh boy, I missed that part.....yakking with hubby.

 

[Bina]

patient has a-fib.....skipping his meds....drinking.....

 

[Mary]

Lance,
I thought you faced a similar issue before?
My husband has worked in critical care since 1974, and we laugh every week at the stuff they put on ER. But we continue to watch!

 

[Freddie]

This better be good you two. I've flipped channels just to watch this - don't usually watch ER - especially on March 19th (the day my nightmare started)

 

[Bina]

I usually skip the ER show too.....it's not really conducive to a good night's sleep.

 

[Freddie]

So what are planning on doing to this guy?

 

[Eva]

I used to like it, but do not watch it anymore! But I agree, they should have facts!

 

[Nancy]

ER has a lot of mistakes and things that make it seem more dramatic. I guess it is artistic license.

I have seen things on ER that I know are absolutely wrong.

And the program isn't complete unless there is at least one crash cart scene with someone's heart stopping.

The number of times I have seen anything happen like that in the ER or any other place in all the hospitals Joe has been in, I could count on less than the fingers of one hand.

It's a soap opera in a medical setting.

 

[Freddie]

Sorry but I had switch - can't miss watching "Jim" he's in town this weekend for our "Home Styles" he is also a "friend" of my neighbors (single mom) almost died when I saw him there last fall for a "visit".....yea right.

 

[lilteach3234]

Heck, why watch ER when you have Dr. House out there....hehe.

 

[Bina]

I watched Grey's Anatomy earlier tonight and that show seems to make more of an effort to be medically accurate....even with it's "soap opera" style.

 

[Bina]

Freddie....."house calls" seem to be popular in your neighbourhood.

 

[Nupur]

I have been watching House reruns diligently, no wonder I can't sleep at nite! Used to watch ER a long time ago, watched it last week again (ok, because of Clooney, I'll admit : ) Maybe I'll watch it again tonite. About Grey's Anatomy, I noticed that their heart patients are awake and talking by the end of the day, which was encouraging although suspicious. But after watching that show I am now very suspicious of who is actually doing the surgery. You remember how that heart surgeon let his girlfriend (who was an intern) do all those complicated surgical procedures when he had a tremor? I don't want any interns scrubbing in on my surgery, no matter what they have done to win the surgeon's favor!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I have been watching House reruns diligently, no wonder I can't sleep at nite! Used to watch ER a long time ago, watched it last week again (ok, because of Clooney, I'll admit : ) Maybe I'll watch it again tonite. About Grey's Anatomy, I noticed that their heart patients are awake and talking by the end of the day, which was encouraging although suspicious. But after watching that show I am now very suspicious of who is actually doing the surgery. You remember how that heart surgeon let his girlfriend (who was an intern) do all those complicated surgical procedures when he had a tremor? I don't want any interns scrubbing in on my surgery, no matter what they have done to win the surgeon's favor!

Your last sentence raises a Question I have always wondered about, namely What Patients do Residents and Interns? "practice upon" to 'learn the ropes'.

I'm pretty sure they don't just turn them loose after a few years of only 'Watching' Real Surgeons work...

 

[Ross]

On to-night's episode of ER a patient on warfarin was given a spinal tap and blood oozed out. One doctor commented his INR was less than 2 and that was safe.

ER is usually factual. Would this happen in real-life?

Not unless this person was now fully coagulated. Meaning no trace of Warfarin in his system whatsoever.

 

[laurad37]

patient has a-fib.....skipping his meds....drinking.....

I double what Bina says. He had a list of other problems effecting his health on top of the blood thinners.

 

[lance]

Not unless this person was now fully coagulated. Meaning no trace of Warfarin in his system whatsoever.[/Q

 

[Ross]

Hi Ross,
I didn't explain the situation very well. Before they inserted the needle for the spinal tap patient's INR was below 2. When the needle was inserted blood flowed out. Then the patient had a turn for the worse.

So I'm wonder if the tap should have been performed while there was any warfarin in his system. Maybe only in an emergency--just wondering. As that patient now has a hole where the needled was inserted couldn't the blood running down his back have run into spine causing paralysis?

and

Two years ago surgeon wanted to do a spinal for a surgery and I refused. Good thing too.

There cannot be ANY anticoagulation for anyone undergoing a spinal puncture procedure. It's dangerous enough for a fully coagulated person, but could lead to paralysis or even death for someone anticoagulated. I cannot think of any emergency situation where they'd have to do a puncture before pumping in some plasma or Vit K.

 

[ponytaila1a]

I have been watching House reruns diligently, no wonder I can't sleep at nite!

Now I know why I can't sleep!!! Too much House...watch reruns and then the "new" ones on Monday!!!