Critical Care Scenarios

Brandon and Bryan mock up a goals of care discussion for a critically ill patient, and reflect on the right and wrong ways to execute this complex procedure. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Resources Center to Advance Palliative Care The Conversation Project

Sara J Hyland, PharmD, BCCCP, FCCP, is a researcher and clinical pharmacist specializing in perioperative and emergency medicine. She dives into the intricacies of neuromuscular blockade reversal in the ICU, particularly the use of sugammadex versus traditional agents. The conversation highlights the challenges of underutilization, the importance of rigorous monitoring for patient safety, and the risks associated with sugammadex, including rare complications. Hyland emphasizes the need for better protocols and collaborative practices to optimize patient outcomes.

In this conversation, Leeah Sloan, PA-C and co-chair of the Critical Care APP Steering Committee for CHEST, reveals exciting news about a new certification for Critical Care Advanced Practice Providers. She discusses the challenges of traditional training and the urgent need for standardized certification to enhance APP competency. Leeah also critiques the dangers of unstructured learning and the importance of collaborative approaches in critical care. This insightful talk shines a light on evolving inclusivity in the medical field.

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Explore the concept that true mastery in critical care relies on a broad understanding rather than deep specialization. The discussion highlights how adaptability and generalization enhance decision-making in the ICU. It also delves into how AI innovations support this approach, emphasizing that effective expertise is about simplifying complex choices into manageable components. Challenge conventional beliefs and discover why breadth of knowledge might just be the key to success in clinical environments.

Melissa Bridges, director of PA fellowships at Atrium Health and president of the Association of Post-graduate PA Programs (APPAP), chats with us (Bryan is president of APGAP, the Association of Post Graduate APRN programs) about PA/NP residencies/fellowships in critical care. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy!

Andrew Schulman, medical musician, former ICU patient, and president of the Medical Musician Initiative, tells us how music can help the critically ill. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy!

From constipation to hepatorenal syndrome. Fan favorite Elliot Tapper (@ebtapper, @ebtapper), gastroenterologist, transplant hepatologist, academic chief of hepatology, and director of the cirrhosis program at the University of Michigan, returns to answer a grab-bag of GI questions. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Takeaway lessons

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In this discussion, Dr. Michael Lanspa, an intensivist and director of the Intermountain Critical Care Echocardiography Core Lab, dives into the world of point-of-care ultrasound. He highlights common pitfalls faced by practitioners and shares strategies to enhance ultrasound skills in critical care. Key topics include evaluating cardiac function with echocardiographic techniques and understanding the complexities of Doppler measurements. Dr. Lanspa also elaborates on the clinical relevance of measurements like S prime and TAPSE, emphasizing practical approaches to improving patient outcomes.