Medicine Episodes

Continuing in the mini-series “Voltaire in the ICU,” Dr. Hassaballa discusses end-of-life care and how best to frame the question of what people want done to themselves at the end of life.

"Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien." These words were written by Voltaire, and it is popularly rendered as "The perfect is the enemy of the good." In the ICU, I have to make decisions every day on critically ill patients, and frequently, I have to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Sometimes, doing something is worse than doing nothing at all. In this latest episode of the podcast, Dr. Hassaballa discusses how he heeds the advice of Voltaire when he works in the ICU.

The 2026 Surviving Sepsis Guidelines were released last March in Chicago. Among the dozens of recommendations, there are 17 “strong” recommendations. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa speaks about these 17 strong recommendations and its implications on clinical practice. Surviving Sepsis Guidelines: https://sccm.org/survivingsepsiscampaign/guidelines-and-resources/surviving-sepsis-campaign-adult-guidelines

The new Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines were released late last month in Chicago. This week’s episode highlights the most important changes to Dr. Hassaballa. Hint: Dr. Hassabolus is vindicated again. Read the entire guidelines here: https://www.sccm.org/survivingsepsiscampaign

The hospital ED or ICU is the absolute worst place to have a goals of care conversation.

I was honored to be a guest on the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast. During the episode, I discussed how AI is transforming clinical care; the irreplaceable human elements of medicine; and the leadership values that guide my work. I also shared insights on physician excellence, system level improvement, and what inspires me as I look ahead to 2026.

I understand why so many Radiologists put this phrase in their reports. It can frequently make things worse, and this is one of the many bad things fear of a malpractice suit has wrought.

This is Environmental Services Week, where we honor a crucial member of the healthcare community: those who clean hospital rooms.

Limiting student loans for professional schools is so horribly shortsighted. Dr. Hassaballa explains why.

On July 1, new doctors start their residency. On July 4, our nation celebrates its independence. This is fitting because, truly, we in the medical field are fighting for the freedom of our patients.

Like it or not, compliance with the SEP-1 Bundle is here to stay, despite its questionable effect on outcomes. We can either rail against it or learn to how do it well. In this episode, to culminate Critical Care Awareness Month, Dr. Hassaballa shares tips on how to achieve good results with the SEP-1 bundle.

In the last episode of the “Sleep in the ICU” series, Dr. Hassaballa goes through several easy tips to help get a good night’s sleep. American Academy of Sleep Medicine Tips: https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/

Dr. Hassaballa tells the story of when he filled in as a Tele-ICU Nurse. It wasn’t a pretty picture, and it highlights how important nurses truly are to the healthcare field. A very Happy Nurses Week to every nurse in the world! There is no “care” in healthcare without nurses.

Unless one has lost a child, then he or she can never know the horror of the parents who just lost a child to measles in Texas. For the latest on the Texas Measles Outbreak: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025