Episodes

March 24, 2025

ICU Lecture Series: The ICU Liberation Bundle

In this latest episode of the ICU Lecture Series, Dr. Hassaballa lectures to staff about the ICU Liberation Bundle. Link: https://sccm.org/clinical-resources/iculiberation-home/abcdef-bundles

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March 17, 2025

What Is A Blood Transfusion, Truly?

Despite multiple specialty society guidelines recommending not to transfuse blood if the hemoglobin levels are above 7-8 g/dL, many physicians disregard the recommendations. Why is that? Dr. Hassaballa discusses this issue. A...

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March 10, 2025

ICU Lecture Series: Metabolic Acidosis

In this latest ICU lecture series, Dr. Hassaballa discusses metabolic acidosis: how to diagnose it and what to do about it.

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March 3, 2025

Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Elaine Chen

What would someone who is BOTH a Critical Care and Palliative Care Doctor say about palliative care in the ICU? I asked one. Links from the show: The Coleman Palliative Medicine Training Program: https://colemanpalliative.org...

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Feb. 25, 2025

From the Appeals Desk: Coding Clinics and Sepsis

Many payers state that a 2016 Coding Clinics article allows them to deny sepsis DRGs. This is not true, and Dr. Hassaballa goes into the article and what is specifically says about sepsis. And, he issues an unequivocal condem...

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Feb. 17, 2025

Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Sergio Zanotti

In the latest installment of the "Great Minds in Medicine" series, I sit down with Dr. Sergio Zanotti, Critical Care Chief Medical Officer for Sound Physicians. We had a wide-ranging discussion about medicine, critical care, ...

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Feb. 10, 2025

Faith in the ICU: Does Being a Physician Weaken My Faith?

Given that physicians frequently make life and death decisions, especially in the ICU, does being a physician weaken one's faith? Dr. Hassaballa reflects on his own experience of faith and being a doctor.

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Feb. 3, 2025

Most Oncologists Do Not Refer to Palliative Care. What?

Despite a strong recommendation by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in its guidelines, recent surveys indicate very few, if any at all, Oncologists refer patients to Palliative Care. This is a huge disservice.

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Jan. 27, 2025

Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Mohammad Alo

I sit down with Dr. Mohammad Alo, America's Cardiologist and great friend of mine, and we discuss all things cholesterol and social media best practices for Doctors. Dr. Mohammad Alo on X: https://x.com/MohammedAlo Website: d...

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Jan. 20, 2025

What If An Unresponsive Patient Is Actually "In There"?

Recent research shows that a substantial minority of patients have cognitive motor dissociation. This has many important implications for our practice of critical care medicine. NEJM Study: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.10...

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Jan. 13, 2025

Journal Club: Is Rapid Correction of Hyponatremia Dangerous?

Dr. Hassaballa discusses this recent review article and meta-analysis of the correction rate of hyponatremia and clinical outcomes.

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Jan. 6, 2025

Journal Club: Small-bore vs Large-bore Chest Tube for Hemothorax

In this episode of Journal Club, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the recent study comparing small-bore to large-bore chest tubes for hemothorax drainage.

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Dec. 30, 2024

Happy Birthday, Booboo.

Daddy misses you so much.

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Dec. 23, 2024

Faith in the ICU: Doctors Should Not Shy Away

In a new series on Healthcare Musings, Dr. Hassaballa discusses faith in the ICU and how Doctors should not shy away from faith. It can be an added asset in the right circumstance.

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Dec. 16, 2024

Journal Club: Long Term Oxygen Therapy

A recent study showed that you don’t need oxygen all day, every day. That’s welcome news for patients needing chronic oxygen.

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Dec. 9, 2024

Social Media For Doctors: A Conversation with Austan Lundeen

Marketing is literally in Austan Lundeen’s blood. So, I sat down with him to get tips on how to best use social media as a clinician.

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Dec. 2, 2024

Why We Vaccinate Against Measles

This highly contagious virus can absolutely kill children.

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Nov. 25, 2024

Journal Club: IV vs. IO in Cardiac Arrest

A study showed no difference between IV and IO access in cardiac arrest. Yet, I have some questions. Study link: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2407616

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Nov. 18, 2024

Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Vivek Tirmal

Insurance companies will use obscure “Coding Clinics” articles to deny various DRGs. I asked appeal expert Dr. Vivek Tirmal of Sound Advisory Services all about this.

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Nov. 11, 2024

Beware the Potential Dangers of Cannabis

As cannabis use becomes more widespread, and more potent, clinicians need to be aware of its potential harms. NY Times article cited in show: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/04/us/cannabis-marijuana-risks-addiction.html?smid=...

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Nov. 4, 2024

Go Out And Vote

If we clinicians are not at the table, then we will be on the menu.

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Oct. 28, 2024

“Reducing Waste” in Healthcare

If we provide care consistent with our patients’ values and preferences, we are good stewards of scarce resources and provide compassionate effective care. Sign up below to get every episode in your email: http://eepurl.c...

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Oct. 21, 2024

Great Minds in Medicine: Dr. Greg Johnson

In this next podcast in the “Great Minds in Medicine” series, I sit down with Dr. Greg Johnson, Chief Physician Executive at Unity Point Health. We discuss the state of healthcare and healthcare equity. Unequal Treatment (200...

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Oct. 15, 2024

How Patients and Their Families Can Prevent Clinician Burnout

It is very small and goes a very long way… Sign up here to get every episode of Healthcare Musings in your inbox.

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