Despite all the positive aspects of working in healthcare, it doesn’t take long before one experiences mistakes and patient deaths. In this week’s podcast episode, I’ll delve into how I handle these two, independent situations by promoting a culture of forthcomingness, patient safety, honesty, and supporting (rather than scolding) each other.

As a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, I have been trained extensively in cases which require cardiopulmonary bypass (“the heart-lung machine”). CPB is similar to VA-ECMO in many ways, but for the purposes of surgery, it allows the surgeons to have a motionless and bloodless field when combined with cardioplegic arrest. […]

As a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, I have been trained extensively in cases which require cardiopulmonary bypass (“the heart-lung machine”). CPB is similar to VA-ECMO in many ways, but for the purposes of surgery, it allows the surgeons to have a motionless and bloodless field when combined with cardioplegic arrest.

Listen to this week’s episode to learn about CPB and some basic considerations when I wean patients off of this modality.

Drop me comments with questions!

Cardiovascular pharmacology in acute care settings involves a variety of medications ranging from vasopressors and inotropes to inodilators and inhaled pulmonary vasodilators. Listen in on this podcast as I discuss how I use agents like epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, milrinone, phenylephrine, calcium, methylene blue, and more in my practice.

Keep in mind that I individualize everything for my patients based on their clinical situations, so I won’t be giving any tips on doses or combinations of medications since these vary tremendously.

Drop me a comment below with feedback and questions!

Cardiovascular pharmacology in acute care settings involves a variety of medications ranging from vasopressors and inotropes to inodilators and inhaled pulmonary vasodilators. Listen in on this podcast as I discuss how I use agents like epinephrine, norepinephrine, vasopressin, milrinone, phenylephrine, calcium, methylene blue, and more in my practice. […]

Surgical scrub technicians (“scrub techs”) are incredibly important individuals in the course of an operation. They facilitate surgical workflow by providing instruments, positioning the patient, ensuring sterility, assisting with tissue retraction, etc. […]

Surgical scrub technicians (“scrub techs”) are incredibly important individuals in the course of an operation. They facilitate surgical workflow by providing instruments, positioning the patient, ensuring sterility, assisting with tissue retraction, etc.

I remember when I first scrubbed in as a medical student on my ob/gyn core rotation, the entire operating room had drawn cross-hairs on me expecting me to contaminate the sterile field, pass out, or mess something up. The scrub techs were consistently very welcoming of me, often times explaining instruments and parts of the procedures as the surgeons worked diligently.

Now as an anesthesiologist, I have the best view of the entire surgical theater – the surgeons, the circulating nurses, the scrub techs, and of course the patient. I see the subtle but profound actions the techs make throughout the case of a surgery. Anticipating which instrument the surgeon will need next. Making sure the patient is safely draped and padded. Making small adjustments to the surgical field which streamline workflow. Properly dressing the surgical incisions at the end of the case.

Your efforts are definitely recognized and appreciated… especially all the “little things” you do!

Surgical scrub technicians (“scrub techs”) are incredibly important individuals in the course of an operation. They facilitate surgical workflow by providing instruments, positioning the patient, ensuring sterility, assisting with tissue retraction, etc.

I remember when I first scrubbed in as a medical student on my ob/gyn core rotation, the entire operating room had drawn cross-hairs on me expecting me to contaminate the sterile field, pass out, or mess something up. The scrub techs were consistently very welcoming of me, often times explaining instruments and parts of the procedures as the surgeons worked diligently.

Now as an anesthesiologist, I have the best view of the entire surgical theater – the surgeons, the circulating nurses, the scrub techs, and of course the patient. I see the subtle but profound actions the techs make throughout the case of a surgery. Anticipating which instrument the surgeon will need next. Making sure the patient is safely draped and padded. Making small adjustments to the surgical field which streamline workflow. Properly dressing the surgical incisions at the end of the case.

Your efforts are definitely recognized and appreciated… especially all the “little things” you do!

After taking a hiatus for over a year from podcasting as a critical care fellow, I’m finished with my formal training and ready to hit the ground running as an attending physician with the rebirth of my podcast. […]

After taking a hiatus for over a year from podcasting as a critical care fellow, I’m finished with my formal training and ready to hit the ground running as an attending physician with the rebirth of my podcast.

Drop me a comment below with feedback!