This is a crossover episode with David Kelley's hospital drama, Chicago Hope. Mandy Patinkin and Hector Elizondo appears as Dr. Jeffrey Geiger and Dr. Phillip Watters.
Dr. Jill Brock (Kathy Baker) tells Dr. Phillip Watters (Hector Elizondo) that Chicago Hope is not the only hospital in Chicago; she begins to mention another when Watters cuts her off, saying that they don't like to speak it's name. This was a clear reference to the fictional County General Hospital in Chicago, setting for the rival TV medical drama "ER."