Healthcare Musings

Why December is Such a Tough Month

December is a difficult month for me and my family. This is because in December, on the 30th to be exact, our eldest daughter was born in 1996. And she passed away after a brutal battle with lymphoma in June of 2009.And to help me deal with the grief - and honor her memory - I am planning to post a number of podcast episodes talking about the songs that God used to save my life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Is There a Doctor on the Plane?” - Lessons Learned

I had to tend to a sick fellow passenger recently while traveling on a plane. This incident taught me some valuable lessons. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Is There a Doctor on the Plane?”

Someone was ill on my flight back home from a work trip, and I recount the experience…and gratitude for being able to help. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

Dr. Hassaballa is a Guest on ”Crossing the Chasm” Podcast

The original episode is here: https://soundphysicians.com/podcast-episode/?podcast_id=8173&track_id=1678458171Check out the "Crossing the Chasm" podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crossing-the-chasm-with-dr-greg-johnson/id1676682379Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uPp1Ridfcrwpa7qgjm3St?si=ABbuo0x_SIyK5lcnF06qcQSound Physicians: https://soundphysicians.com/podcast/crossing-the-chasm/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

Get the F@&^ Out - Part 2

It is absolutely possible to thoroughly document your patient encounter AND get out on time and go home. It is NOT mutually exclusive. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

Take the Time to Document Well

It would be a travesty and a shame to have your documentation belie the truly great clinician you are. So it's high to focus on the assessment and plan, so we can really show the world the wonderful work we're doing on a daily basis. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

ICU Lecture Series: Acid Base Disorders

In this latest lecture, Dr. Hassaballa goes over acid base disorders and how to recognize them, as well as mixed acid-base disorders and chronic compensation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

Celebrating Respiratory Therapists

This week is National Respiratory Care Week (October 23-29). As an ICU medical director who works every single day hand in hand with respiratory therapists, as well as having the honor of being the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy at the Chicago Area Hospital which serves as my base, I wanted to take some time out to really highlight the absolute importance of respiratory therapists and their role in the care of a critically ill patient.We cannot do our jobs properly without respiratory therapists. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

We Should Abandon the Term ”DNR”

In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses his feeling that the term "DNR," or "do not resuscitate, should be replaced with the term "AND," or "allow for natural death." Some institutions have adopted this change, and Dr. Hassaballa thinks this should be more widespread. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com

From the Appeals Desk: Medical Necessity Denials

In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa discusses medical necessity denials: what they are and how to deal with them. Resources: Interqual: https://www.changehealthcare.com/clinical-decision-support/interqualMCG: https://www.mcg.com/client-resources/news-item/mcg-27th-edition-care-guidelines/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit healthcaremusings.substack.com