Critical Media Analysis of "Trauma: Life in the E.R."
The following is the fifteenth in a series of essays written in response to the media analysis assignment described in the January 28, 2000 article on this topic page. Colorado State University student Matt Buzas shows how Trauma: Life in the E.R. resists the idea that technology should be feared.
Critical Media Analysis of Trauma: Life in the E.R. by Matt Buzas
Technology has increased rapidly over the last thirty years. Many conveniences can be accessed through the computers of today. New inventions like HDTV, DVD, electric cars, home delivery services, and cloning have people fascinated. Much of society feels as if they are drowning in a swamp of electronic gadgets. Many people are afraid of the rate that technology is increasing. Some reasons are because of reports stating that it is taking away from the number of available jobs and promoting laziness in our society. I believe there is still the same amount of jobs, but the expectation of workers has risen. I also believe that technology only promotes laziness to those who abuse the privilege of the conveniences it provides.
There are some advancements in technology that most people, undoubtedly, would consider beneficial. A good example of these advancements can be seen on the television show Trauma: Life in the E.R., which is airing for its fourth season. While watching the show one will experience real-life action from emergency rooms all around the country. One is able to see all of the intricate workings of a trauma center and may feel a personal connection with the doctors and patients. This season the show highlights trauma centers in San Diego, San Antonio, Savannah, Portland, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. Trauma: Life in the E.R. is the most realistic television show of its type on the air.
Trauma: Life in the E.R. resists the cultural observation that advancements in technology should be feared. The high-tech equipment shown on the television show is all advantageous to saving human lives. Many of these life-saving devices can be seen in just one segment of the show. One night on the show a mother who was by herself was involved in a ghasly accident. She was the victim of a head-on collision against another driver who was drunk. Ambulances, firetrucks, and police officers were all called to rescue the injured victims from the traumatic scene. The firemen had to use the jaws of life extrication device to free the mother from the brutally destroyed Honda Civic. Through rapid extrication she was freed from the car. She was then strapped to a backboard and airlifted by Flight for Life to the nearest hospital. Had it not been for the expediency of the helicopter and the resources inside it, the woman may have lost her life. Upon reaching the hospital, the woman received an IV shot into which a series of drugs were injected and was sent for immediate surgery. On top of her IV, she was constantly hooked up to a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximetry machine, a heart monitor, and there were half a dozen nurses buzzing around her. A doctor analyzing the heart monitor machine constantly oversaw her condition. If she did happen to lose stability, doctors were standing by with the necessary equipment to jump start her back to life. The drunk driver, of course, walked away with only scrapes and bruises.
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