The name Helen Caldicott is mentioned by a character in discussing a nuclear freeze petition. Helen Caldicott, an Australian physician, is a leader in the anti-nuclear movement.
Byron Stewart plays Warren Coolidge, a hospital janitorial staff member. He previously played the same character in the CBS show The White Shadow (1978), an unusual case of crossover at the time since St. Elsewhere was broadcast on NBC. Bruce Paltrow was involved in the creation and production of both series for MTM Enterprises.
Jack takes Pete on a tour of Boston. At one point, the camera pans to a familiar facade and a large yellow banner that reads "NBC TV's 'Cheers' inspired by the Bull & Finch." This is the real life bar which is used as the facade for Cheers (1982). However, it is later established that the fictional bar and fictional hospital exist in the same universe. Carla Tortelli delivers at least one of her children at St. Eligius on "Cheers", and in the season finale of the third season of "St. Elsewhere" (Cheers (1985)), doctors Westphall, Auschlander, and Craig go to the bar and interact with Carla, Norm and Cliff.
The title is from the 1967 Beatles' hit song "Hello, Goodbye" written by Lennon/McCartney.