Healthcare Musings

Dr. H’s Verbal Hassaboluses: Residents and Fellows: PLEASE Stop Writing System-Based Notes Right Now

This is the first in a new series of soliloquies by Dr. Hassaballa called “Dr. H’s Verbal Hassaboluses.” And for the very first one, he advises Residents and Fellows to PLEASE stop writing system-based notes. 

The Tension Between The Academy and The Community: My Conversation With Dr. Scott Matson

While we all trained at the Academy, most of the care provided to patients occurs in the Community. And it seems that, more and more, the research output from the Academy is not clinically relevant to the Community. 
So, I wanted to discuss this with Dr. Scott Matson, an Academic Clinician-Scientist at the University of Kansas. Our conversation was very enlightening. 
Dr. Matson’s Substack: https://substack.com/@behindtheslides

My Covid Reflection: Six Years Ago Today

Six years ago, today, was the darkest day of the Covid 19 pandemic for me. And it was good for me that all my emotion came out at the time it did. 

Healing The Sick Care System: My Conversation With Gil Bashe

The purpose of the healthcare system is to heal the sick, and unfortunately, it seem that the system has strayed from this purpose. 
Gil Bashe, Chair of Global Health and Purpose for FINN Partners, reminds us of this purpose in his excellent book, "Healing the Sick Care System: Why People Matter." 
I sat down with Gil Bashe to discuss his book on this week's episode of Healthcare Musings. It was as informative as it was therapeutic for me as a physician. 
Gil Bashe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gilbashe/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Sick-Care-System-People/dp/1613431805 

Is Sepsis Even A Disease?: My Conversation With "The Thoughtful Intensivist"

Sepsis is the number one diagnosis treated in most intensive care units across the world, and it can be very deadly in short order. Yet, is sepsis even a disease? 
"No," according to Dr. Rafael Olive Leite, aka, the "Thoughtful Intensivist" on Substack. 
According to him, the whole "sepsis epistemology" is flawed, and this is why he continuously rails against the Surviving Sepsis Campaign. 
I have been following his work for quite some time, and so I thought it was high time to have him on the show and explain himself. 
Our conversation was eye-opening. 
The Thoughtful Intensivist Substack: https://thethoughtfulintensivist.substack.com/

"We The Patients" Are Really Pissed Off: My Conversation with Matthew Zachary

The healthcare system is supposed to be centered around just one person: the patient. According to Matthew Zachary, however, the healthcare system has failed miserably in its mission.
Of all the voices that have been heard on this podcast, the one that hasn't been heard is that of the patient...until now. 
On this week's episode, I sat down with Matthew Zachary, patient advocate and all around amazing guy. Our conversation affected me in profound ways. 
Learn more about Matthew Zachary at www.matthewzachary.com 

2026 Sepsis Guidelines: The 17 Strong Recommendations Everyone Needs to Know

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 

2026 Sepsis Guidelines: What Changed & What Has Not — Dr. Hassabolus Vindicated Again

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 Why of CDI: Why Doctors Need to Care

Physicians’ jobs today are very hard. There are so many demands on their time, and there is not enough time in the day to do everything they need to do. So it is understandable that a busy clinician would ask “Who Cares?” When it comes to Clinical Documentation Improvement, or CDI.
In reality, Doctors need to care about this stuff. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa explains why.
Article on physician subsidies: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/the-rising-cost-of-physician-subsidies-in-10-numbers/ 
 

Obesity or Malnutrition: Document It Every Time It’s There

Both obesity and protein calorie malnutrition are major comorbid conditions (MCC), and they are frequent targets of post-discharge denials by payers. In this episode of Healthcare Musings, Dr. Hassaballa explains why it is so important that these diagnoses are not only documented, but why our plan to address these conditions must always be documented. 
GLIM Criteria: https://www.espen.org/education/glim