Emergency!

Original Title: Emergency! Production Country and Year: USA Genre: Medical Drama Cast: Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Robert Fuller, Julie London, Bobby Troup Medical Topic: Emergency Medicine Additional Information: January 15, 1972 – June 26, 1977 (6 seasons) Description: The United States, early 1970s. A modern emergency medical system is established in California, one of the first in the country. It relies on trained firefighters, henceforth known as paramedics. NBC took advantage of this situation to produce a TV series. Over six seasons, viewers follow the adventures of firefighters-paramedics John Gage and Roy DeSoto. In each episode, they must deal with several cases requiring medical assistance. At a nearby hospital, doctors coordinate and assist their work (via phone with the ability to transmit an ECG (sic!)). We typically see the care of the patient from the pre-hospital stage, through transport, and ending with initial diagnosis and treatment in the hospital emergency room. The series is a typical American production from that era—the main characters are flawless, they exit the scene in clean, pressed uniforms, overcome all obstacles, and save nearly everyone. An undeniable advantage, however, is its realism. The main characters completed a paramedic training course, and the producers worked closely with the local fire department, using real equipment and gear. They even created a faithful replica of the fire truck they use to rush to the aid of citizens. The series’ broadcast resonated widely across the U.S. and sparked the development of emergency medical services in many parts of the country. The series is a pleasure to watch. I recommend it especially to those interested in the history of medicine, as it shows how emergencies were handled 40 years ago. Some methods are laughable (e.g., tourniquets applied to limbs in cases of pulmonary edema), while others (administering adrenaline, backboards, and cervical collars) are still used today. Viewers often get a glimpse inside the hospital and can follow the doctors’ adventures. Just be prepared for a shock, as most of the solutions shown in the series have only appeared in our country in the last decade, and we still have to wait for a few of them.