Code Blue: A Writer's Guide to Hospitals, Including the E. R., O. R., and I. C. U.

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 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".)