Ep 10. Drunk & Drunker

Untold Stories of the E.R. is a riveting medical documentary series that delves deep into the chaotic world of emergency rooms across America. Every episode tells the stories of the brave healthcare professionals who work tirelessly every day to save the lives of patients in critical conditions. In this season 10 episode 10, titled Drunk & Drunker, we follow the stories of several individuals who find themselves in the emergency room due to alcohol-related incidents.

The episode starts with Dr. Amanda Benson, an emergency medicine resident working at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon. A police officer brings in a heavily intoxicated man who had passed out in a bar and was found lying unconscious on the pavement outside. The patient's blood-alcohol level is extremely high, and Dr. Benson must work quickly to prevent alcohol poisoning, which can lead to brain damage and death. She administers medications and fluids to help the patient sober up and ensures his breathing remains stable.

Meanwhile, at the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, Dr. Carlos Rivera attends to a young woman who was involved in a drunken brawl with her friends and sustained a cut to her face. The patient is still drinking while in the ER, which makes it challenging for Dr. Rivera to assess the extent of her injuries. He performs a CT scan to check for any skull fractures or internal bleeding, and stitches the laceration on her face as she screams in agony.

Back in Portland, Dr. Benson is called to attend to a woman who has come into the ER with her husband after suffering from severe stomach pains. The husband admits that they had been drinking heavily the previous night, and the woman had taken some painkillers to relieve her hangover, which made her stomach hurt. However, Dr. Benson quickly realizes that the woman's pain is due to a potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis, which is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. She starts the patient on IV fluids and antibiotics, hoping to stave off any further damage to her pancreas.

At the Harris Health System's Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in Houston, Texas, Dr. Louis Strong treats a patient with a history of alcoholism who comes into the ER with tremors and seizures. The patient's blood-alcohol level is dangerously high, and Dr. Strong worries about the potential for delirium tremens, a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can cause hallucinations and seizures. He administers medications to ease the patient's withdrawal symptoms and refers him to an addiction specialist to get the help he needs.

The episode concludes with Dr. Rivera treating two young men who were involved in a drunken fight and suffered from lacerations and broken bones. One of the patients is belligerent and aggressive, making it difficult for Dr. Rivera to tend to his injuries. However, with the help of hospital security, he is able to complete the necessary procedures and stabilize the patient before discharging him.

Overall, Drunk & Drunker offers a sobering look into the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and the toll it can take on the human body. The ER doctors and nurses featured in the episode showcase their expertise and compassion as they work to save lives and alleviate the suffering of their patients, even in the face of challenging circumstances. The episode serves as a reminder of the critical role that emergency room healthcare professionals play in our communities and the importance of responsible drinking.