A harried emergency room doctor rushes between patients; his waiting room is filled to the brim with sick and injured people, he’s dodging a RAT infestation, all while overseeing a new crop of residents getting up to speed on their ER rotation.

AND oh yes… sparring with a hospital administrator who’s reminding him: He needs to get those patient satisfaction scores up.

It’s all in the day in the life of Dr. Robby of “The Pitt,” the fictional Pittsbourgh Emergency Department at the heart of HBO’s buzzy new streaming show.

The show has received praise from medical pros, and close readings from fans who say it portrays the financial pressure of ERs in a new and compelling way.

One of those fans is the host and creator of the "An Arm and A Leg" podcast - a show about the cost of healthcare in America, co-produced with KFF Health News and distributed in partnership with KUOW. 

GUEST: Dan Weismann

RELATED LINKS:

• An Arm and A Leg Podcast
• A Real-Life ER Doctor Examines The Pitt 
• ‘The Pitt’ Has Impressed Real Doctors With Its Accuracy - The New York Times
• 'The Pitt' Wins Praise From Pittsburgh ER Staff for Being 'Most Realistic'
• "ER" Sues "The Pitt"

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.