All Bleeding Stops

Life and Death in the Trauma Unit

By: Stephen M. Cohn

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

For all the awe-inspiring medical stories we might hear and the hospital dramas that dominate the ratings on television, most of us have no conception of the daily Herculean efforts of trauma surgeons. A good trauma surgeon must be a conductor presiding over an orchestra of healthcare providers as their patients cling to life by a thread. They are also a steely quarterback who can’t be rattled when they throw an interception—lingering on a past failure would only ruin their ability to care for the next patient, and the next. They have an encyclopedic knowledge of medical science and are practiced in the art of instinctively reacting to whatever emergency comes flying at them on a stretcher, in addition to doing anything they can to comfort patients’ distraught families and friends.

All Bleeding Stops gives listeners an intimate look at what goes on inside a trauma center, highlighting injuries sustained in car crashes, shootings, and stabbings—basically anything bleeding, obstructed, or perforated. Having lived and breathed trauma for four decades, Dr. Cohn is an ideal guide to demystify the role of the trauma surgeon and their place in a hospital. The behind-the-scenes look he provides is infused with sobering tales from his career as a military surgeon and in trauma centers across the country as well as his descriptions of high-profile medical stories.

©2023 Stephen M. Cohn (P)2023 Mayo Clinic Press

Educational and entertaining

Great book! Both educational and entertaining for those who enjoy medicine. Will listen to again.

Great trauma related case stories

I love medical / trauma books and this one did not disappoint. Educational and humorous accounts of surgical trauma cases. The one thing I could have done without is the author slipping in his gun control opinions at several points in the book.

How old is this guy?

Mostly medically accurate. Kind of difficult to believe this doctor has worked at all of these facilities and supervised trauma services in that many. If you're looking for exciting stories of trauma patients, skip this one. If you love statistics, a keeper.

Deceiving title and summary

I finished the book and it was painful from beginning to end.

The amount of hubris displayed in this book is physically repulsive. Between incredibly sparse stories of trauma cases, the true majority of this book centers around the author's political agenda and beliefs regarding firearms, residency working hours, and more.

Simply, this isn't a book I'd recommend if you are interested in learning about life and death in the trauma unit.

political commentary and ego

I am an ER nurse, have been for over 3 decades. I wanted to like the book but couldn't get past the constant politicizing and self congratulatory ego.