Ep 15. Long Day's Journey

In season 1 episode 15 of ER titled "Long Day's Journey", the employees of County General Hospital face a hectic day on one of the hottest days of the year. The episode starts with Dr. Greene coming into work early in the morning and discovering that it's already sweltering outside. As he begins his rounds, he finds out that the air conditioning is out of service.

As the day progresses, the hospital gets busier and busier. Dr. Greene, Dr. Lewis, and Nurse Hathaway admit a young boy who has been hit by a car. Though his injuries aren't life-threatening, his mother is worried and anxious, causing him stress and panic. The medical staff tries their best to comfort and reassure her, but she becomes increasingly hysterical as the day goes on.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ross treats a homeless man with a mysterious illness. While trying to find out what may have caused his symptoms, he discovers that the man is suffering from kidney failure and needs a transplant. The situation is complicated by the fact that the man is undocumented and has no health insurance. Dr. Ross takes it upon himself to find a way to get him the treatment he needs.

In addition to these cases, the show also focuses on the lives of the medical staff. Dr. Ross is having trouble dealing with the recent death of a young patient and is experiencing depression and anxiety. Nurse Hathaway is struggling to deal with her feelings for Dr. Ross. Dr. Benton is trying to be more present in his family's life while also dealing with a case that hits close to home.

As the day wears on, the heat becomes unbearable, and the strain of the workload takes its toll on the staff. They struggle to provide the best care they can while dealing with their own personal issues. In the end, they all manage to help the patients in their care, but it has been a long, difficult day.

This episode of ER showcases the struggles and challenges faced by medical staff in a busy hospital environment. It highlights how the heat can be a significant factor in patient care and the importance of maintaining composure and professionalism in the face of personal struggles. Additionally, it sheds light on the potential issues faced by undocumented individuals in receiving proper medical care and raises awareness of the need for accessible healthcare regardless of immigration status.