Episodes
ICU Lecture Series: Nights in the ICU Part 2
This is part 2 of Dr. Hassaballa's lecture on common issues in the ICU at night. And it ends like it started: DON'T PANIC. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or …
ICU Lecture Series: Common Problems at Night in the ICU
Dr. Hassaballa gave this lecture to IM Residents about common problems they may face taking care of patients at night in the ICU. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …
Advice for the Match Part 2
in this latest episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses a crucial aspect of the NRMP. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substa...
My Advice For Students Entering the Match
As students start entering their rank order lists, Dr. Hassaballa shares advice he gives his students going into Residency. Link: https://www.nrmp.org/match-calendars/master-calendar/ This is a public episode. If you would li...
ICU Lecture Series: ”SIMV Only Belongs in Coffee”
Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation, or SIMV, is an older ventilator setting that we do not use anymore. In this latest ICU Lecture, Dr. Hassaballa explains why it "only belongs in coffee." This is a public episod...
The ”30 Day Readmission” Denial
In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the most frustrating denial he deals with: the "30 Day Readmission" denial. It is purported to be similar to that by CMS, but this is totally false. Reference: https://www.cms.gov/med...
What is the Two-Midnight Rule?
Starting in 2024, Medicare Advantage plans must follow the Two-Midnight Rule. So, it behooves all clinicians to know that this rule is and document appropriately against it. Reference: https://www.beckerspayer.com/policy-upda...
We Get Shafted Here With Our Food
Dr. Hassaballa reflects on how it is too bad that food here in the United States is so much more processed than overseas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …
If I Ever ”Found God on the Corner of First and Amistad”
Dr. Hassaballa speaks about what would have happened if he "found God on the corner of First and Amistad." It would have been so different than the interaction in the song, 'You Found Me," by The Fray. "You Found Me" …
When My Daughter Became ”Weightless,” I Became the ”Owner of a Broken…
In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa reflects over two of the songs God used to save his life: "Weightless," by Natasha Bedingfield - https://youtu.be/AUxLeytLHVk?si=tYGTD8xv_JrNa2Zi "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes - https://yout...
Why December is Such a Tough Month
December is a difficult month for me and my family. This is because in December, on the 30th to be exact, our eldest daughter was born in 1996. And she passed away after a brutal battle with lymphoma in June …
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Is There a Doctor on the Plane?” - Lessons Lea…
I had to tend to a sick fellow passenger recently while traveling on a plane. This incident taught me some valuable lessons. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access …
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Is There a Doctor on the Plane?”
Someone was ill on my flight back home from a work trip, and I recount the experience…and gratitude for being able to help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …
Dr. Hassaballa is a Guest on ”Crossing the Chasm” Podcast
The original episode is here: https://soundphysicians.com/podcast-episode/?podcast_id=8173&track_id=1678458171 Check out the "Crossing the Chasm" podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossing-the-chasm-w...
Get the F@&^ Out - Part 2
It is absolutely possible to thoroughly document your patient encounter AND get out on time and go home. It is NOT mutually exclusive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get …
Take the Time to Document Well
It would be a travesty and a shame to have your documentation belie the truly great clinician you are. So it's high to focus on the assessment and plan, so we can really show the world the wonderful work we're …
ICU Lecture Series: Acid Base Disorders
In this latest lecture, Dr. Hassaballa goes over acid base disorders and how to recognize them, as well as mixed acid-base disorders and chronic compensation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...
Celebrating Respiratory Therapists
This week is National Respiratory Care Week (October 23-29). As an ICU medical director who works every single day hand in hand with respiratory therapists, as well as having the honor of being the Medical Director of Respira...
We Should Abandon the Term ”DNR”
In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses his feeling that the term "DNR," or "do not resuscitate, should be replaced with the term "AND," or "allow for natural death." Some institutions have adopted this change, and Dr. Hass...
From the Appeals Desk: Medical Necessity Denials
In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses medical necessity denials: what they are and how to deal with them. Resources: Interqual: https://www.changehealthcare.com/clinical-decision-support/interqual MCG: https://www.mcg.com...
Shock and Hemodynamics
In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa goes over the different types of shock and how to recognize their hemodynamic profiles. Errata: I meant to say that LVEDV is estimated by LVEDP, which is estimated by Left atrial pressure, whic...
Get the F*^& Out…
Clinician burnout is a crisis, and it is something that needs to be addressed by everyone in leadership in healthcare. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa shares his advice about those who feel obligated to stay after their shift...
The Ruthless Monster That is Sepsis
In honor of Sepsis Awareness Month, Dr. Hassaballa recounts a case of a patient who died from sepsis in the ICU more than a decade ago, a case that has stayed with him ever since. Resources: https://www.sccm.org/SurvivingSeps...
To Jab or Not to Jab?
The FDA approved the latest Covid booster, and the CDC recommends everyone get it. In this episode of the Healthcare Musings Podcast, Dr. Hassaballa shares his own thought process on whether to get the vaccine or not. This is...