Episodes
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...
“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...
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...
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...
What Doctors Can Do That AI Cannot
Artificial Intelligence can’t get get tired. Artificial Intelligence can’t get burned out. Artificial Intelligence can do a lot. There are things, however, that Doctors do that AI can’t.
Limiting Student Loans: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Limiting student loans for professional schools is so horribly shortsighted. Dr. Hassaballa explains why.
AI Has Eliminated Your Job As A Radiologist, Right?: My Conversation …
Not too long ago, some predicted that Artificial Intelligence will render Radiologists obsolete. So, I sat down with Dr. Safwan Halabi, Associate Professor of Radiology at Northwestern University and Vice-Chair of Imaging Inf...
The Freedom Fighters of Medicine
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.
Is a Mean Arterial Pressure of 65 Harmful in Septic Shock?
Typically, we titrate Vascopressors to a mean arterial pressure of 65. Does this harm patient with septic shock? Dr. Hassabolus goes over the literature.
The Vindication Of Dr. Hassabolus
I am clearly in the aggressive fluid resuscitation camp for patients who present with septic shock or sepsis-induced hypotension. And I have been vindicated by the literature. CLASSIC: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NE...
Do Doctors Gaslight Their Patients?: My Conversation with Dr. Chailee…
I was taken aback by the term, "Medical Gaslighting," used in this recent article. So, I sat down with the principal author and discussed the article and its larger implications beyond Gynecology. Article link: https://jamane...
Are All Plaintiff Attorneys Bad People?: My Conversation With Dr. Jef…
A malpractice lawsuit can be very stressful for physicians - it sure was stressful for me. So, are all plaintiff attorneys bad people? What about those physicians who are expert witnesses for plaintiffs? I asked this and much...
How To Do The SEP-1 Bundle Right
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 Mo...
The Man Behind PulmCCM: Great Minds in Medicine
PulmCCM is one of the best Substacks out there. So, I sat down with Dr. Matt Hoffman, Critical Care physician and creator of PulmCCM to discuss his journey and evidence-based medicine in general. Substack Link: www.pulmccm.or...
Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep
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-s...
I Was A Nurse For A Day: It Wasn’t Pretty
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 wor...
Sleep In The ICU: The Guidelines and What We Should Do
In Part 2 of the Sleep in the ICU series, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the SCCM guidelines with respect to sleep in critically ill adults and what we should do in the ICU. SCCM Guidelines: https://www.sccm.org/clinical-resources/...
"They Don't Make Them Like They Used To": My Conversation with Dr. Ad…
Dr. Adam Cifu is an award-winning Medical Educator and general internist at the University of Chicago. He also writes for the fantastic Substack, Sensible Medicine. I had a wonderful conversation with him about Medical Educat...
Sleep in the ICU: The Classic Experiments
In the first of a two-part series about sleep in the intensive care unit, Dr. Hassaballa discusses the classic sleep deprivation studies and their implications on our own sleep.
Every Measles Death Is Too Many
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-outb...
Faith in the ICU: Stories of Wonder
In the latest installment of the Faith in the ICU Series, Dr. Hassaballa recounts a story that has always stayed with him.
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
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...
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.