Customer Reviews

Code Blue: A Writer's Guide to Hospitals, Including the ER, OR and ICU (Behind the Scenes)

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I found this book to be very interesting and well-written, but I think it misses the mark as "A Writer's Guide to Hospitals." Maybe it was a bit too ambitious (that's a very broad topic) or maybe the two authors had a different idea of the book's purpose, but I found it vacillated between a soapbox for one author's disenchantment with the medical system in America today (a disenchantment I share) and a good survey of how a hospital works for hospital workers. Here and there I found the type of information I expected to find (what the mood is in certain areas of the hospital, where the power lies, a sample of dialog, and so on), but that was unfortunately the smallest part of the book. The glossaries are helpful and well-written (but not complete -- "Stat" is missing). Though the history section is interesting (I love history), maybe it should have been left out so they could devote more time to what writers need. I'm glad I read it, but didn't really provide me with the info I need for two medical scenes in my novel.

"Code Blue" is a great introduction to hospitals for anyone interested in this topic. While the book's title suggests that it is intended as a tool for writers, I think that many other people would like to have a more comprehensive understanding of the practice of medicine in this venue. This book has been criticized by other readers, and the common thread in their dissatisfactions seems to stem from the fact that this book doesn't offer a detailed explanation of everything that might possibly occur in a hospital. If such a book were to exist, it would be infinitely long and comparably expensive. Working within the bounds of practicality, I think that Drs. Wilson and Page have done a superb job of providing an overview of this subject. If you're looking for highly detailed knowledge on a specific subject you will likely need to perform further research, but that should not be construed as being a criticism of this book. Bottom line: A well-written and informative guide that will give you an insider's view of hospitals. (Review by Kevin Pezzi, MD [...], author of "Believe It or Not! True Emergency Room Stories" and "Fascinating Health Secrets".)

This book is very informative for those writing about the ER, especially if you want to know what goes on behind the scenes. It is written so that a person with little to no medical knowledge can easily follow and understand and there is even a bit of humor.

If you are looking for more specific details on diagnosis or different treatment options for certain ailments, you will need to have an actual medical contact person.

Code Blue is filled with information concerning hospitals and how they are supposed to work, but, as a book (especially a guide to writers), this one badly needs professional triage. It is obvious Drs Wilson and Page know their subject, perhaps too well. It is a slow read, and only one chapter (Mistakes, Complications and Accidents) offers interesting info for new writers. Unless, of course, your plot centers on the future of HMOs. I expected more from these distinguished medical men since they both have contributed two other excellent volumes in the How Dunit Series. Perhaps the most humane jesture is to remove life support from Code Blue, and let it pass on to its final resting place.