NYC Hospitals Ban Filming Of Reality TV Shows In Emergency Rooms

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hospitals in New York City have moved to ban the filming of reality TV in its wards without prior written consent.

The Greater New York Hospital Association said in a statement that no longer allowing filming "effectively puts an end to 'reality TV' in New York's emergency rooms,'' the New York Post reported.

The move comes amid calls from dozens of City Council members for hospitals to protect patients' privacy rights.

A letter signed by 33 members of the City Council was sent to area hospitals after a patient died at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and his widow was stunned to later see his death on the reality TV show "New York Med."

The show had filmed efforts to save Mark Chanko's life, who had been hit by a garbage truck in Manhattan, as well as exchanges between the doctors and his relatives.

Chanko's widow said her family did not know about or consent to the broadcast.

Although the family's faces were obscured, the family said they recognized themselves when the show aired in August 2012.

Manhattan City Councilman Dan Garodnick, who was among those who signed the letter, said "reality TV has no place in our emergency rooms.''

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