The Question Chicago Med Fans Have About Some Of The Show's Most Intense Scenes

Comparing medical shows and deciding which are the most realistic has become such a common practice that there are countless web pages dedicated specifically to it. In an article for Men's Health, Doctor Mike, aka Mike Varshavski, lists "ER" as the most medically accurate television show. On the other hand, a list compiled by TV Insider calls "Scrubs" the most realistic. "Chicago Med" has always fallen fairly close to the top of these lists, thanks in part to Chicago surgeon Andrew Dennis serving as the show's medical advisor. "I try to give them as much reality as it relates to the storyline, the scripting, the lines that the actors would say," Dennis told ScreenSlam. "Really, it's trying to make this show look as real as possible within the confines of scripted television."

Despite all the squabbling that goes on over which shows are more realistic, the main reason most people tune in to watch shows like "Grey's Anatomy" or "Chicago Med" probably has just as much to do — if not more — with the relationships on the shows, and the intense drama involved in the medical cases. Even so, when viewers tune in, it can be frustrating when a medical procedure seems inaccurate or exaggerated, and "Chicago Med" fans have begun questioning a regular occurrence on the show.

"Chicago Med" viewers have noticed a curious pattern in many episodes, and for some vocal fans, it's starting to get annoying. "Why is it that in almost every episode there is a patient that goes into asystole/flatlines and the doctors then automatically decide there is nothing to be done?" Piggisar posted in a "Chicago Med" SubReddit. "Aren't you supposed to at least give CPR and adrenaline if a patient flatlines?" This is an honest question, and the answer lies somewhere between the truth in the medical world and the reality of television dramas.

According to the National Library of Medicine, "Overall the prognosis is poor [in resuscitation], and the survival is even poorer if there is asystole after resuscitation. Data indicate that less than 2% of people with asystole survive." Therefore, "Chicago Med" isn't far off when they show most patients dying when they flatline.  One Redditor added another key piece of the procedure, that "usually the healthcare workers do CPR only compression + intubation for around 35 minutes on average." So while we don't tend to see the doctors performing significant CPR on patients, that probably has to do with the fact that it wouldn't make an exciting half-hour of television.