Condition Critical

If you're very lucky you've never experienced it, but most of us probably have at one point or another in our lives visited the emergency room. Whether you're there for your own medical crisis or for a loved one's, grit your teeth and prepare yourself for a long night, brother. You're not going anywhere soon; the chronically overburdened, chaotic U.S. healthcare system will guarantee it. And if things are hairy enough in any random ER in any large American city, what are they like in the big kahuna: Los Angeles County Hospital's legendary trauma bay. Known as "C-Booth," this hyperactive epicenter of 24/7 crisis is our nation's busiest emergency room. Code Black takes you inside for the answer to why ERs are so backed up. Physician Ryan McGarry did his emergency medicine residency at C-Booth; he returns to use it as a means of exploring the tough issues defining the ongoing healthcare debate. The documentary screens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (September 3, 7 and 7) at Moore Auditorium on the Webster University campus (470 East Lockwood Avenue; 314-968-7487 or www.webster.edu/filmseries). Tickets are $4 to $6.
Thu., Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 6-7, 7:30 p.m., 2014