7. Defibrillators Aren't Actually Used On Flatlining Patients
Medical dramas love nothing more than a good defibrillator scene. Trying to bring someone back from the brink of death using electrical shocks is one of the most exciting, legitimate medical processes they can show. Grey's Anatomy can't resist rubbing them together every other episode. ER probably hired a separate prop guy just to wrangle defibrillators. Even Scrubs, which is surprisingly accurate in many regards, broke down and put the paddles to work on a flatliner. And while the good ol' defibs can certainly prove useful in correcting irregular heartbeats, they're pretty much worthless when someone is flatlining. Actually, scratch that, they're worse than worthless. Because sending a massive shock to a non-beating heart is the same as tossing it in a frying pan for a few minutes. Defibrillators are NOT an automatic restart button for the heart muscles. In flatlining situations, there's a greater success rate using simple CPR, and maybe a big shot of adrenaline. Oh, and while we're on the subject, you don't rub the defibrillator paddles together before using them. It's pointless. And it can ruin the equipment. And just...stop it.
