Remote patrol

Though it has been in the can for months, "Code Blue," the new real-life medical series about emergency-room patients and the people who treat them, is a very timely companion piece to the recent ABC series "Hopkins 24/7." This is a relationship show spiced up with blood 'n' guts. "Code Blue" debuts at 7 p.m. Monday on TLC. The 13 episodes were filmed at the busiest trauma units in the country at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. It opens in the familiar way, with victims being whisked into the ward on gurneys (one knifing, one shooting). But the drama soon revolves around three patients and their caregivers. The most intriguing is a woman who is convinced God does not want her gangrenous foot amputated, then has a surprising turnaround. (Be warned: they show the foot.) We also meet a wise patient liaison who says that whenever a case leaves her emotionally scarred, it's a sign she's doing her job. And we learn that a hospital's emergency room may never be more crowded than at the very moment when someone dies on the table. @ART CAPTION:'Code Blue' debuts at 7 p.m. Monday on TLC. @ART:Photo (color) @ART CREDIT:TLC >>>