Icritical Care: All Audio

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, welcomes guests Kaitlin M. Alexander, PharmD, BCCCP, and Ankit Sakhuja, MD, MS, FCCM, from SCCM’s Leadership, Empowerment, and Development (LEAD) Program, to discuss the use of AI in critical care education and clinical practice. Dr. Alexander is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Pharmacy Education and Practice at University of Florida. Dr. Sakhuja is the director of artificial intelligence and informatics at the Institute for Critical Care Medicine and director of clinical informatics research in the Division of Data-Driven and Digital Medicine. The discussion highlights how critical care educators and clinicians benefit from learning how to use AI and understanding its benefits and limitations. Incorporating AI into critical care education teaches students how to use AI responsibly in school and later in clinical practice. Clinicians should understand the utility o

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, welcomes Matheus Bannach, MD, of Urgency Hospital of Goyes in the Eruseo-Dorne Cancer Hospital in Brazil. They discuss Dr. Bannach’s article, “Transfusion Practices in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials,” published in the April 2025 issue of Critical Care Medicine. The study compared liberal and restrictive strategies for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). They found that a liberal transfusion strategy results in better neurologic outcomes than a restrictive strategy. Drs. Bulloch and Bannach discuss the importance of optimizing transfusion thresholds, the risks and benefits of blood transfusion for critically ill patients, and the limited supply of donated blood. The conversation also covers study methodology. Dr. Bannach explains the choice of main end point for the study, the process of selecting articles to include, and th

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, FCCM, welcomes Vincenzo Russotto, MD, of the University of Turin in Turin, Italy to discuss Dr. Russotto’s article, “Induction Agents for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Patients,” published in the January 2025 issue of Critical Care Medicine. Drs. Enfield and Russotto explore the decision of which induction drugs to use for patients undergoing tracheal intubation. They discuss research challenges such as the ethics of which drugs can be tested on patients and the emergent nature of many tracheal intubations. Dr. Russotto discusses the advantages and disadvantages of ketamine as an induction agent and describes current clinical thinking on etomidate and propofol. His study made no definitive conclusions but found evidence that ketamine may have a safer profile and etomidate and propofol may be associated with negative effects. Dr. Russotto emphasizes the need to individualize patient treatment and shares e

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, welcomes Bram Tilburgs, RN, PhD, of Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, Netherlands. They discuss Dr. Tilburgs’ article, “Associations Between Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Domains of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and Quality of Life: A Longitudinal Multicenter Cohort Study,” published in the January 2025 issue of Critical Care Medicine. The conversation offers key insights into the prevalence and long-term effects of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Dr. Tilburgs’ study surveyed intensive care unit (ICU) patients on their quality of life three months, twelve months, and two years after ICU discharge. The survey included physical, cognitive, and mental health domains. The findings show a significant link between PICS and diminished long-term quality of life. Drs. Bulloch and Tilburgs discuss how these results highlight the need for PICS prevention across all three domains

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Maureen A. Madden, DNP, RN, CPNC-AC, CCRN, FCCM, welcomes Christopher D. Newman, MBA, PA-C, FCCM, of Children's Hospital Colorado, and Victoria Howard, PA-C, of the University of Rochester to discuss professional advancement tracks for advanced practice providers (APPs). APP professional advancement programs aim to improve retention and engagement. Mr. Newman and Ms. Howard highlight additional benefits as well. They explain how the pilot professional advancement tracks at their institutions address specific needs of APPs. Mr. Newman’s program addresses the challenge of recognizing and supporting the nonclinical contributions of predominantly clinical faculty such as APPs. Ms. Howard’s program recognizes APPs’ careers beginning at an early stage and incorporates salary advancement into the program. The guests discuss the practical challenges of implementing a professional advancement model, including finding financial resources, obt

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Maureen A. Madden, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC, CCRN, FCCM, speaks with James R. Rodrigue, PhD, FAST, and Richard D. Hasz, MS, about their article, “Racial Equity in Family Approach for Patients Medically Suitable for Deceased Organ Donation,” published in the December 2024 issue of Critical Care Medicine. The study found racial equity in organ procurement organization (OPO) family approach among patients who were medically eligible for organ donation. Dr. Rodrigue and Mr. Hasz explain that previous studies showing racial disparity in family approach were based on 25- to 30-year-old data. The changes in organ donation systems since then were what motivated Dr. Rodrigue and Mr. Hasz to conduct new research. Their findings highlight the positive impact of standardized OPO practices on equitable access to organ donation opportunities. Dr. Rodrigue and Mr. Hasz emphasize the importance of timely referral, family-centered communication, and coordin

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Elizabeth H. Mack, MD, MS, FCCM, speaks with Anil Sachdev, MD, FICCM, of the Institute of Child Health, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, India about his team’s study, “Transpulmonary Pressure-Guided Mechanical Ventilation in Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in the PICU: Single-Center Retrospective Study in North India, 2018–2021,” published in the March 2025 issue of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Sachdev explains the development and implementation at his institution of a protocol for transpulmonary pressure (TPP) monitoring in pediatric patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. His team compared outcomes of patients receiving TPP-guided ventilation with those receiving conventional mechanical ventilation. Study findings suggested that TPP monitoring enabled the use of higher positive end-expiratory pressure with greater clinician confidence, resulting in improved oxygenation. Study limitations i

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, FCCM, speaks with Garrett McDougall, MS, MSc, and Ben Forestell, MD, of McMaster University about their recent study, “Direct Laryngoscopy Versus Video Laryngoscopy for Intubation in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Trials,” published in the November 2024 issue of Critical Care Medicine. The study included 20 randomized controlled trials encompassing 4569 patients to investigate whether video laryngoscopy (VL) offers advantages over direct laryngoscopy (DL) for intubation in critically ill patients.  A key finding of the study was that VL probably improves first-pass success rates and reduces the risk of esophageal intubation and dental injury. These benefits extend across the spectrum of operator experience, especially among novice operators but also among seasoned operators.   Drs. McDougall and Forestell discuss findings that surprised th

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, speaks with Christy C. Forehand, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCM, about retaining highly skilled pharmacists in the ICU setting. Dr. Forehand, a clinical pharmacy specialist and residency program director at Augusta University Medical Center and the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, shares evidence-based insights and personal reflections on how pharmacist retention directly impacts quality and safety in patient care. The conversation highlights growing concerns around burnout and attrition among ICU pharmacists, underscoring how their involvement improves clinical and economic outcomes—ranging from medication safety and reduced ventilator days to optimized transitions of care. Drawing on American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) publications and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) guidance, Dr. Forehand outlines strategies for building retention plans that prioritize recogniti

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, FCCM, speaks with Brian T. Wessman, MD, FACEP, FCCM, and Fajun Wang, MD, about maximizing professional growth through active engagement with SCCM. Drawing on their personal experiences, the guests reflect on how early involvement through residency, fellowship, and the Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) course ignited long-term involvement in the Society. Drs. Wessman and Wang outline actionable strategies for new and seasoned members alike. They emphasize the value of committee and section participation, trainee liaison roles, and the mentorship programs, particularly the initiative tailored for international medical graduates. The conversation sheds light on the application process and professional significance of becoming a Fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM). Whether you're navigating your first SCCM Congress or considering applying for FCCM designation, this episode is a com

Mark E. Hamill, MD, FCCM, a trauma surgeon, intensivist, and past chair of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) Committee, discusses the evolution, impact, and future of training of critical care. In this SCCM podcast, Dr. Hamill reflects on his decade-long journey with FCCS, beginning with local implementation at his former institution to eventually leading national and international Fundamentals efforts. He shares powerful stories from training initiatives in Rwanda, Palestine, and war-time Ukraine—highlighting the program’s global reach and ability to empower frontline clinicians. Central to the discussion is Dr. Hamill’s published study, “Impact of Standardized Multidisciplinary Critical Care Training on Confidence with Critical Illness and Attitudes Towards Interprofessional Education and Multidisciplinary Care” (Hamill ME, et al. J Intensive Care Med. 2024;39:320-327). The study analyzed survey data from 328 multidisciplinary learners and demonstrated s

Aarti Sarwal, MD, FAAN, FNCS, FCCM, professor of neurology at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, explores the nuanced intersection of neurology and critical care, offering practical insights for clinicians across disciplines. Dr. Sarwal shares her perspective on the unique challenges of managing neurocritically ill patients, particularly when impairment presents challenges in administering a neurologic examination. She emphasizes that “the brain is the barometer of critical illness,” urging clinicians to prioritize daily neurologic evaluations and integrate neuromonitoring even in non-neurologic ICU populations. Listeners will gain an overview of tools such as continuous EEG, transcranial Doppler, emboli monitoring, and multimodal neuromonitoring platforms, including the role of neuro-ultrasound in expanding point-of-care capabilities. This episode also highlights the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and a shared decision-making model that extends across the continuum of care—from early I

In this forward-looking episode of the SCCM Podcast, Daniel F. McAuley, MD, explores how the clinical and research communities are rethinking acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shifting from a one-size-fits-all model to a focus on identifying and targeting modifiable traits. Building on his Thought Leader Session at the 2024 Critical Care Congress, Dr. McAuley unpacks the major thematic shift toward precision medicine in critical care. Instead of treating ARDS as a single, homogenous condition, researchers are increasingly identifying biologically distinct subgroups—especially hyper- and hypoinflammatory phenotypes—that may respond differently to therapies. These insights are fueling a new generation of trials that aim to prospectively apply this knowledge to treatment strategies. Central to this evolution is the Precision medicine Adaptive platform Network Trial in Hypoaemic acutE respiratory failure (PANTHER), of which Dr. McAuley is a team member. PANTHER is a Bayesian adaptive platform randomized

The ICU Liberation Campaign from the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) has transformed critical care, but the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent staffing challenges have posed major obstacles to maintaining progress. In this episode of the SCCM Podcast, host Ludwig H. Lin, MD, speaks with Juliana Barr, MD, FCCM, a key architect of the ICU Liberation Campaign. Dr. Barr was a lead author of the 2013 “Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Pain, Agitation, and Delirium in Adult Patients in the Intensive Care Unit,” known as the PAD guidelines, an original cornerstone of the ICU Liberation Campaign (Barr J, et al. Crit Care Med. 2013;41:263-306). The guidelines’ recent 2025 update also addressed immobility and sleep disruption (Lewis K, et al. Crit Care Med. 2025;53:e711-e727). Dr. Barr shares her personal journey from traditional ICU practices of heavy sedation and immobility to leading efforts that prioritize patient recovery, well-being, and post-ICU quality of life. She emphasizes how ICU Lib

Traditional career development frameworks often overlook the importance of well-being. This podcast episode emphasizes why wellness is essential to building a sustainable and fulfilling career. Host Kyle Enfield, MD, FCCM, is joined by Jennifer Duncan, MD, and Raquel Cabral, PhD, CPH, to explore how team members and leaders can integrate personal values, connection, and purpose into career decision-making. Dr. Duncan, director of wellness for graduate medical education (GME), and Dr. Cabral, a staff psychologist for GME, both at Washington University School of Medicine, share insights from their work supporting trainees’ personal and professional growth. Together, they explore the nuanced meaning of well-being—not as constant happiness, but as a sense of satisfaction and alignment with a person’s values, even amid challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of helping team members identify and live by their personal values as a foundation for career satisfaction. Dr. Cabral distinguishes between go

Host Maureen A. Madden, DNP, RN, CPNC-AC, CCRN, FCCM, welcomes Kitman Wai, MD, and Sonali Basu, MD, to discuss the article, “Evolution of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Physicians Clinical and Academic Profile by Gender,” published in the October 2024 issue of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (Wai K, et al. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2024;25:e376-e386). This is the first analysis of career and academic characteristics of practicing pediatric critical care medicine physicians. The authors also studied the association of gender and career trajectory. They will discuss the gender gap between male and female pediatric critical care physicians in academic metrics and rank, career trajectory factors such as burnout and academic versus nonacademic careers, and the study limitations. Dr. Wai is a critical care specialist and director of critical care medicine fellowship at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. Dr. Basu is a critical care specialist, associate chief of critical care medicine, and associate dir

Host Kyle Enfield, MD, FCCM, welcomes Adriano Targa, PhD, to discuss the article, “Sleep and Circadian Health of Critical Survivors: A 12-Month Follow-Up Study,” published open access in the August 2024 issue of Critical Care Medicine (Henríquez-Beltrán M, et al. Crit Care Med. 2024;52:1206-1217). They will discuss the prevalence of sleep disturbances and circadian rhythm fragmentation in critical survivors, the impact of factors such as invasive mechanical ventilation and hospitalization duration, and associations among sleep quality, mental health, and respiratory function one year post-discharge. Dr. Targa is a researcher at the Center for Biomedical Research Network - CIBER in Madrid, Spain. Find more expert-developed articles from Critical Care Medicine at ccmjournal.org.

In this episode of the SCCM Podcast, host Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, is joined by Heather Meissen, DNP, FCCM, to discuss the importance to nurses of publication and navigating the academic publishing process. They discuss how nurses at the bedside are uniquely positioned to identify trends and gaps in patient care that can be addressed through research and publication. This podcast aims to raise awareness for nurses and other critical care practitioners wanting to enter the research and publishing fields. This unique professional development topic is designed for healthcare workers at the beginning of their research and publishing journeys. Dr. Meissen stresses that publishing is vital for advancing nursing practice and improving patient care, urging clinicians to “just get started” on their research and writing journeys. She emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor to help refine research questions, structure projects, and navigate challenges. She provides practical advice on ident

What form of renal replacement therapy should clinicians use for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU)? New research has connected the renal replacement therapy choice with mortality end points and renal replacement therapy dependency in patients with acute kidney injury. In this podcast episode, experts discuss their research in this area. Ron Wald, MDCM, MHP, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, discusses his article, “Initiation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Versus Intermittent Hemodialysis in Critically Ill Patients With Severe Acute Kidney Injury: A Secondary Analysis of STARRT-AKI Trial,” published in the November 2023 issue of Intensive Care Medicine. Jay Koyner, MD, professor of medicine and director of the nephrology intensive care unit at the University of Chicago, discuss his article, “Initial Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) Modality Associates With 90-Day Postdischarge RRT Dependence in Critically Ill AKI Survivors,” published in the August 2024 issue of Journal of Cri

Host Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, welcomes Matthew Kirschen, MD, PhD, FAAN, FNCS, to discuss what critical care professionals need to know about determining brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC). In October 2023, a revised consensus practice guideline for the determination of brain death in both children and adults was published in Neurology (Greer DM, et al. Neurology. 2023;101;1112-1132). The guideline integrated guidance for adults and children to provide a comprehensive, practical way to evaluate patients with catastrophic brain injuries to determine whether they meet the criteria for brain death. The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) offers several additional resources to support critical care clinicians’ understanding of the updated guidelines, including an article published in the March 2024 issue of Critical Care Medicine addressing what the critical care team needs to know about the guidelines (Kirschen MP, et al. Crit Care Med. 2024;52:376-386). Dr. Kirchen was