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Character error (1) |
Factual errors (2) |
Miscellaneous (1) |
Incorrectly regarded as goofs (1)
Character error
Doctors and nurses frequently wear their stethoscopes backwards - with the binaural pointed toward the back of the head rather than the face - while listening to heart or lung sounds. In reality, this would not allow the listener to hear ANYTHING, as sound would be transmitted into the skin at the back of the outer ear rather than down the ear canal.
Factual errors
The paramedics that come into the ER wear national registry patches on the uniforms. All Illinois medics wear Illinois state patches. Illinois does not recognize the NREMT.
The illuminated letters of Exit signs seen in the hospital are green in color. Both red and green colors are legal, but individual states enact the building code laws which specify what color sign can be used. Chicago requires that all exit signs be red in letter color. The interior hospital scenes are filmed in LA.
Miscellaneous
CPR is not to be performed on a live person who is not in full cardiac arrest as performing CPR may disrupt normal heart rating of person in good condition. That is why even EMTs and other responders are taught on mannequins and never on live people
Incorrectly regarded as goofs
None of the doctors or nurses performs CPR correctly, but if done with straight arms and enough force to make a difference, it can (and often does) break the patient's ribs. Obviously it's better to go without a factually accurate portrayal of the procedure than to injure the actors in the name of realism.