Coming Soon…..Life and Death at VGH
A young traveler has been stricken with malaria, a skier takes a serious fall, a stabbing victim arrives – butcher knife protruding from his chest. These are but three of the complex cases you will be introduced to when Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH has its world premiere on BC’s public broadcaster, Knowledge Network, January 21, 2014 at 9 p.m.
Your colleagues are at the heart of the action. Emergency Room shares the stories of the clinicians and staff who support, manage, and work in one of Canada’s busiest emergency departments, as well as the patients they serve. Shot over several months, with unrestricted and unparalleled access to all areas of the Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) emergency department (ED), the six-part series was conceived and commissioned by Knowledge Network and produced by Lark Productions.
“We were searching for a project that could both emotionally engage viewing audiences, and encourage British Columbians to take part in a meaningful conversation about important issues impacting our province,” says Rudy Buttignol, president and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation. “Health care is a topic that touches everybody, and we knew if we could get the access needed to tell these stories well, we could create a truly unique series and also engage the public.”
VGH is one of the largest hospitals in Canada, and B.C.’s only Level 1 Trauma Centre. Last year over 80,000 patients came through the emergency room, including some of the most complex cases in the province. This is where patients are often the sickest and at their most vulnerable. Granting unlimited access to film in the ED is not a typical situation.
“We thought about this very carefully,” says Dr. Doug McKnight,” head of VGH Emergency Department and UBC Hospital Urgent Care Centre. “In the end we felt it was worth it. The series showcases the teamwork and camaraderie that is so vital to an emergency department. And, as VGH is a teaching hospital, we are also especially proud they were able to create an entire episode around the level of teaching and training that takes place here.”
Watch your colleagues in action! Emergency Room: Life and Death at VGH is a project all health care providers in this province will be proud to watch. We invite you to share your comments and stories, and find out more about the series at www.knowledge.ca/er
Photo caption: ED Nurse Ken McMeekin is featured in the documentary series.