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 to discuss the proper coding of sepsis. Does a UTI with fever and tachycardia really…
Scott Becker, Founder and Publisher of Becker's Healthcare (https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/) , 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 observations and thought-provoking suggestions regarding: • Healthcare Coverage…
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 problem. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa 1. Summarizes the NY Time article…
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. His insights were invaluable. Jeff Alter on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydalter/ Sound Physicians: www.soundphysicians.com…
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-use-doctors-health-insurance-bills-may-rise/ AI by Insurers: https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/health-insurer-ai-fights-hospital-ai-coding-billing/
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 he came up with a brilliant solution that will,…
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 of these important questions. Eiman Abdelmoneim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eimanabdelmoneim/
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, and the opportunities they have as well. This is, by far, one…
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.
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?
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.
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.
This is Environmental Services Week, where we honor a crucial member of the healthcare community: those who clean hospital rooms.
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 evidence on Physician attire and the patient-physician relationship. Article: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/8/e100824
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.linkedin.com/in/eugene-yeh-39ba1844/
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.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare CMS Press Release: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/wiser
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.aspx
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 for professional schools is so horribly shortsighted. Dr. Hassaballa explains why.
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 Informatics at Lurie's Children's Hospital, and asked him about the effect of AI on his field now and…
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.
Typically, we titrate Vascopressors to a mean arterial pressure of 65. Does this harm patient with septic shock? Dr. Hassabolus goes over the literature.
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/NEJMoa2202707 CLOVERS: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2212663 CHEST Review: https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(23)00637-2/fulltext ESICM Guidelines: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40163133/
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://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833711