Episodes

Jan. 26, 2026

A Day in the Life of a TeleIntensivist Leader: Dr. Mirko Villanueva

Telecritical care is part of the future of Critical Care Medicine in the United States and world. There are various models of implementing TeleICU programs, and one of them is a “hybrid” between on site and tele ICU. How can ...

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Jan. 19, 2026

Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure: Decoding What It Is (and Isn’t) in…

Acute hypoxic respiratory failure is diagnosed by one of these three criteria: PaO2 less than 60 mm Hg SpO2 less than 90% PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300 That's it. Payers like to add all sorts of clinical criteria alongside this. This...

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Jan. 12, 2026

Get Off The SOFA: Winning the Fight Against Sepsis Denials

Increasingly, insurance companies and third-party auditors are denying sepsis claims and DRGs based on the “Sepsis-3” article published almost 10 years ago. Specifically, they contend that if there is no SOFA score of 2 or gr...

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Jan. 5, 2026

Leadership, Compassion, and the Future of AI in Critical Care: My App…

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....

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Dec. 30, 2025

The Soundtrack of My Grief: "You Are The Piece of Me I Wish I Didn't …

Ever since the death of my daughter on June 7, 2009, I have written and reflected on many things that remind me of her, including many popular songs. It is one of the ways the Lord saved my life after her death. Today, on her...

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Dec. 22, 2025

Can AI Chatbots Make End-of-Life Decisions?

Can an AI Chatbot version of you make an end-of-life decision if you cannot make it on your own? This possibility was brought up to me on a previous episode with Eiman Abdelmoneim . I was so intrigued by the possibility that ...

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Dec. 15, 2025

Metabolic Encephalopathy: Essential Guide to Accurate Documentation

Metabolic encephalopathy is a state of global cerebral dysfunction caused by systemic metabolic or toxic disturbances. Its presence raises the severity of illness of those patients afflicted with it, and it is a frequent deni...

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Dec. 8, 2025

The Sepsis Confusion: SIRS, SOFA, and CDI…Oh My!!!

There are two competing definitions of sepsis, called "Sepsis-2" and "Sepsis-3." They are vastly different, and it is causing enormous confusion with respect to diagnosing and coding for sepsis. I assembled a panel of experts...

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Dec. 1, 2025

Seeing Healthcare From 30,000 Feet: My Conversation with Scott Becker

Scott Becker, Founder and Publisher of Becker's Healthcare , has a unique perspective on the state of the healthcare system in the United States. So, I wanted to sit down with him and get his insights as well. He had amazing ...

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Nov. 24, 2025

More People Are Turning To AI Chatbots: How Doctors Can Properly Deal…

The NY Times had an article detailing how people are turning to chatbots because they are frustrated with the medical system. As a physician and patient myself, I completely sympathize with both groups. We need to fix this pr...

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Nov. 17, 2025

Is American Healthcare Doomed To Be A Zero Sum Game?: My Conversation…

Insurance payers have the money. Providers - hospitals and doctors - want the money. This seems to be an irreconcilable conflict. Is there a middle way? I asked the perfect person this question: Jeff Alter of Sound Physicians...

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Nov. 10, 2025

“Poof, It’s Sepsis”: Are Doctors Using AI To Inappropriately Bill Pat…

There is a growing battle between payers and providers, each using AI to get the most money. Are doctors and hospitals using these tools inappropriately? Articles: AI by Doctors: https://www.statnews.com/2025/08/20/ai-scribe-...

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Nov. 3, 2025

Revolutionizing The Care Economy: My Conversation With Neal Shah of C…

One of the most challenging aspects of our healthcare system is elder and sick care at home. Who can do it? How can you afford it? It can cause enormous stress. Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya, knows this challenge firsthand, and ...

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Oct. 27, 2025

Using AI To Become a "10x Doctor": My Conversation with Eiman Abdelmo…

How will Artificial Intelligence affect physicians? Will it take their jobs? Will it kill all of humanity? There are so many questions with respect to AI and healthcare, and so I had the perfect guest on to get answers to all...

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Oct. 20, 2025

Women in Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities

I sat down with three amazing women leaders in the Medical field - Dr. Chia-Shing Yang, Dr. Simran Matta, and April Burke PA - and had a wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing women in medicine and leadership, ...

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Oct. 13, 2025

“Surgical Consultation Recommended”

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.

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Oct. 6, 2025

What’s The Deal With Potassium In The ICU

No matter which ICU in which I work, I am asked to keep the potassium levels more than 4. Is there any evidence for this?

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Sept. 29, 2025

“They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To”: My Conversation With Dr. Ri…

I have railed against some traits and trends of new students and residents these days. My conversation with one of my teachers, Dr. Richard Abrams, taught me a valuable lesson and made me change my attitude.

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Sept. 21, 2025

The Travesty of “Verbal Denials”

If an insurance payer denies a claim, and we write an appeal. The very least the payer must do is write a letter in response.

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Sept. 18, 2025

Honoring Our EVS Colleagues

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

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Sept. 14, 2025

Your First Impression Is Your Only Impression

Patients frequently base their relationships with Doctors on their first impression. And research shows that our attire has a lot to do with that first impression. On this week's episode, Dr. Hassaballa reviews the latest evi...

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Sept. 7, 2025

“A Day In The Life”: Telecritical Care With Dr. Eugene Yeh

What’s it like to be a Teleintensivist? I asked one of the best in the business, Dr. Eugene Yeh of Sound Physicians. He gives us an intimate view of being a remote critical care specialist. Dr. Yeh on LinkedIn: https://www.li...

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Aug. 31, 2025

Mixed Feelings On Prior Authorization in Traditional Medicare

CMS unveiled the WISeR Model, a pilot of prior authorization for traditional Medicare beneficiaries. I have mixed feelings about it. NYT Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/medicare-prior-approval-health-care.h...

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Aug. 24, 2025

Americans Are Drinking Less: That’s Amazing News!

Gallup’s recent poll showed that Americans are drinking alcohol at the lowest rate ever. This is something that should be celebrated. Poll Link: https://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge...

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