SCCM Podcast

Pediatric sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of mortality worldwide, with the burden falling disproportionately on resource-limited settings. In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Elizabeth H. Mack, MD, MS, FCCM, speaks with Vanessa Denny, MD, MS, and Justicia Amisah, MD, about their study, Pediatric Emergency Department Care for Septic Shock in Sub-Saharan Africa: Single-Center Outcomes Before-Vs.-After Implementation of a Telesimulation Program, 2023–2024, published in the July 2026 issue of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

Drs. Denny and Amisah discuss their longstanding collaboration with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana and their efforts to improve outcomes for children with sepsis and septic shock. At the start of the project, pediatric sepsis mortality at the hospital approached 50%. A needs assessment identified opportunities to strengthen clinician education and sepsis management, leading the team to develop a contextualized telesimulation and debriefing program tailored to the hospital's specific resources and challenges.

Using a free, low-bandwidth platform and locally produced training videos, the program provided realistic clinical scenarios designed to enhance sepsis recognition, decision-making, and team communication. Debriefing sessions focused on practical, evidence-based approaches to care that could be implemented within the local healthcare environment. After implementation of the program, mortality among children with sepsis decreased from 36% to 10%, highlighting the potential impact of targeted educational interventions in low-resource settings.

The speakers also discuss the importance of sustainable global partnerships, locally driven solutions, and scalable training models that can be adapted to other hospitals and regions. Building on these encouraging results, the team is exploring opportunities to expand the program throughout Ghana and beyond.

Listeners will gain valuable insight into pediatric sepsis care in Ghana and learn how innovative, context-specific educational initiatives can improve patient outcomes in resource-limited settings around the world.

Resources referenced in this episode:  

Generative AI is rapidly reshaping healthcare, creating new opportunities and raising new questions about how to use the technology effectively and ethically. In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Maureen A. Madden, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC, CCRN, FCCM, speaks with Brandon Hunter, MD, FAAP, about his article, “Feasibility of a Large Language Model Chatbot to Support Parental Understanding in the PICU,” published in the April 2026 issue of Critical Care Explorations.

Dr. Hunter explores the potential role of large language model (LLM) chatbots in helping families navigate the complexity of pediatric critical illness. The study evaluated a HIPAA-compliant chatbot that was connected to selected electronic health record data and allowed parents to ask questions about their child’s condition, treatments, laboratory results, and prognosis. The results were promising, with the chatbot answering most questions accurately and returning personalized responses shaped by available clinical information.

The podcast discussion examines both the opportunities and challenges of AI-powered communication tools. Dr. Hunter explains how modern LLMs generate responses; highlights the importance of validating chatbot outputs; and describes hazards such as hallucinations, bias, and sycophancy, in which models may overly agree with users rather than prioritize accuracy. The conversation further explores the growing use of AI across healthcare; the need for rigorous governance and evaluation frameworks; and the importance of ensuring that technological innovation serves patients, families, and clinicians safely and equitably.

This episode offers a thoughtful examination of one of the most rapidly evolving areas in healthcare, highlighting both the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany the integration of AI into critical care practice.

Resources referenced in this episode:

Central venous access remains foundational to the delivery of critical care, yet the techniques used for central line insertion have evolved minimally since the introduction of the Seldinger method more than 70 years ago. This relative stagnation persists despite increasing patient complexity and heightened expectations for procedural safety, efficiency, and reliability.

This episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast examines how procedural variability and fragmented workflows continue to contribute to risk during central venous catheter insertion in critically ill patients. It also considers the growing need to reassess long-standing approaches that may no longer align with the demands of contemporary ICU practice. Host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, speaks with Adnan Javed, MD, about emerging insertion techniques and integrated technologies designed to simplify procedural steps, reduce variability, and support more consistent performance at the bedside.

Through a focused exploration of innovation in procedural design, this discussion highlights how streamlined, integrated approaches may enhance clinician performance, improve safety, and advance the standard of care in high-acuity environments. This episode provides a critical perspective on the future of central venous access and the role of innovation in transforming a commonly performed, yet high-stakes, procedure.

This episode is sponsored by BD.

Learning Objectives

Resource referenced in this episode:

Effective transitions of care are vital, particularly for children who have spent months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Maureen A. Madden, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC, CCRN, FCCM, speaks with Philip D. Cohen, MD, MSc, about his article, “Non-Emergent Neonatal ICU-to-PICU Transfers in the United States: Cross-Sectional Survey of Neonatologists and Pediatric Intensivists,” published in the May 2026 issue of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine.

Drawing on responses from neonatologists and pediatric intensivists across the United States, Dr. Cohen examines the challenges associated with transferring patients from the NICU to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for ongoing care. Although these transfers occur infrequently, with a median of only five to six non-emergent transfers annually per institution, they often involve children with prolonged hospitalizations, significant medical complexity, and deeply established relationships with NICU care teams.

Survey findings suggest broad agreement among neonatologists and pediatric intensivists that standardized protocols are needed and that structured approaches improve the effectiveness of transfers. Key themes include multidisciplinary handoffs, earlier identification of transfer candidates, family-centered communication, and greater collaboration between NICU and PICU teams before and after transfer.

Dr. Cohen also explores opportunities for implementation science to advance this work, emphasizing the importance of incorporating perspectives from parents and caregivers, nurses, and advanced practice providers. This discussion will educate and inspire pediatric critical care teams seeking to improve continuity of care through adaptable, evidence-informed frameworks.

Resources referenced in this episode:

Sepsis management has traditionally focused on timely antibiotic treatment, hemodynamic support, and source control, but emerging evidence suggests that outcomes may be shaped long before patients reach the ICU. In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, speaks with Sayed Abdulmotaleb Almoosawy, MBChB (Hons), about his article “The Association Between Socioeconomic Position and Mortality in Patients With Sepsis and Septic Shock—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” published in the April 2026 issue of Critical Care Medicine.

Drawing on 13 observational studies that encompassed nearly 4 million patients, the analysis evaluates how factors such as insurance status, income, education, and neighborhood deprivation relate to short-term mortality outcomes. The findings reveal a consistent association between lower socioeconomic position and increased mortality, with lack of private insurance demonstrating the strongest signal—likely reflecting barriers to timely access to care and delayed presentation.

This episode challenges clinicians and researchers alike to recognize the link between socioeconomic disadvantages and worse sepsis outcomes, highlighting the need to collect equity-relevant data and reduce gaps in care to improve survival for critically ill patients.

Resources referenced in this episode:

Long after acute infection has resolved, many survivors of severe COVID-19 experience persistent symptoms. Understanding the causes of long COVID and developing effective treatments pose a challenge for clinicians and researchers alike. In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle B. Enfield, MD, speaks with Matthew Baldwin, MD, MS, about his article published in the March 2026 issue of Critical Care Explorations that examines post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) survivors over a three-year period.

One of the study’s most notable findings is that approximately one in four study patients, many of whom were middle-aged and previously healthy, continued to meet criteria for long COVID three years after infection. This finding emphasizes the burden of chronic illness caused by COVID-19 infection and the need to focus research and treatment efforts on this population of ALI/ARDS survivors.

Drs. Baldwin and Enfield discuss the relevance of inflammatory, thromboinflammatory, and endothelial biomarkers in understanding illness due to COVID-19. Surprisingly, the study found no association between long COVID symptoms and these biomarkers. Dr. Baldwin contextualizes this finding and encourages future studies to employ multiomics to better uncover the underlying mechanisms of these symptoms.

The discussion emphasizes the patient-centered approach of the study, which examines functional outcomes as well as biomarkers. Dr. Baldwin encourages clinicians to validate the experiences of severe COVID-19 survivors and guide them towards the next step in their recovery as researchers continue to look for better therapies.

Resources referenced in this episode:

Propofol remains a cornerstone sedative for mechanically ventilated critically ill patients and is supported by PADIS guidelines and favored for its rapid onset, titratability, and limited side effects. However, its use in hemodynamically unstable patients remains a persistent clinical dilemma. In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Kyle Enfield, MD, is joined by Scott Benken, PharmD, MHPE, BCCCP, and Nathan Smischney, MD, MS, to explore the risks, benefits, and evolving evidence surrounding propofol use in this high-risk population.  

The discussion examines the physiologic basis of propofol-associated hypotension and how that can manifest in different patients, such as those with sepsis and septic shock. Patient selection and real-time assessment of hemodynamic trends are essential. Additional considerations include the recognition of and monitoring for propofol infusion syndrome, a rare but life-threatening complication.  

The episode also explores alternative drugs such as dexmedetomidine and ketamine, highlighting the benefits and risks of each. Emerging strategies are discussed, including a ketamine-propofol combination called ketafol and its utility in balancing sedation and hemodynamic stability. 

Listeners will gain expert insights into propofol use in the ICU and a deeper understanding of patient-centered approaches to sedation. 

Resources referenced in this episode:  

Sustaining critical care delivery in today’s healthcare environment requires more than resilience—it also calls for collective solutions to systemic challenges.

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, Past President Jose L. Pascual, MD, PhD, FRCS(C), FACS, FCCM, elaborates on the session presented during the 2026 Critical Care Congress, Critical Care Under Pressure: Sustaining the Workforce and Infrastructure Amid Rising Demands.

Joined by host Marilyn Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, Dr. Pascual examines the complex forces reshaping critical care, from shrinking ICU capacity and hospital closures to persistent workforce shortages and shifting training pipelines. He highlights concerning trends such as reduced entry into certain critical care pathways, particularly anesthesiology. At the same time, he points to encouraging growth in other pathways, with increasing participation from clinicians in emergency medicine, neurology, and surgery.

The conversation underscores disparities in access to care, particularly for rural and community hospitals. Dr. Pascual explores the tension between the regionalization of specialized care and the need to maintain equitable access across health systems, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful resource distribution and collaboration across institutions. Beyond workforce numbers, the evolution of leadership in critical care is also impactful, including the migration of experienced clinicians into administrative roles and the potential need for cyclical leadership models that maintain clinical engagement.

Meeting these challenges requires innovation and cooperation. Dr. Pascual highlights advancements in education, particularly the expansion of simulation-based training, as critical tools for maintaining competency and improving team performance.

Resources referenced in this episode: 

Sepsis is a global health emergency, with nearly half of all septic patients being children.

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, Samantha Gambles Farr, MSN, NP-C, CCRN, RNFA, speaks with Niranjan Kissoon, MD, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACPE, MCCM, about his Thought Leader presentation at the 2026 Critical Care Congress, Making Sepsis the Next Success Story in Global Health. The panel also discusses how access and equity play a part in how sepsis is treated.

From a global perspective, Dr. Kissoon emphasizes that the most important thing is advocacy and prevention from a governmental level by creating national action plans, making sure the healthcare system is resilient, and utilizing technology and innovation to create better ways of providing care; and from a societal level by educating patients and families about nutrition, hygiene, vaccinations, and seeking care early.

Niranjan Kissoon, MD, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACPE, MCCM, is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics (Pediatrics and Surgery, Emergency Medicine) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is the past president of the World Federation of Pediatric Critical and Intensive Care Societies and currently serves as president of the Global Sepsis Alliance. He is cochair of the pediatric Surviving Sepsis Campaign, vice president of the Canadian Sepsis Foundation, and chair of World Sepsis Day and the International Pediatric Sepsis Initiative. He also serves on the Sepsis Alliance USA and the African Sepsis Alliance advisory boards and is also a founding member of the Caribbean Sepsis Alliance.

What is precision medicine, and how should precision medicine be handled in the face of guidelines and protocols?

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, speaks with Michael R. Pinsky, MD, FAPS, MCCM, about his Thought Leader presentation at the 2026 Critical Care Congress, The Effective Management of Shock: Moving From Physiology to Guidelines to Precision Medicine and Ultimately Personalized Medicine. The panel also discusses how to titrate care for individual patients.

Protocols and guidelines are the foundation for patient care and are instrumental for having all healthcare professionals on the same baseline when treating patients. Precision medicine involves individualizing care for a specific patient, and Dr. Pinsky emphasizes that guidelines should never supersede an understanding of pathophysiology at the bedside, including observing your patient and paying attention to how individual patients respond to specific treatments. Monitoring the individualized response is required for the best care.

Michael R. Pinsky, MD, FAPS, MCCM, is a professor of critical care medicine, bioengineering, and anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is also Docteur Honoris Casusa at the Université René Descartes Paris V School of Medicine in Paris, France. In 2012, he became one of the first 20 critical care physicians to receive a Master of Critical Care Medicine (MCCM) from SCCM. He is currently an emeritus (honorary) at UPMC. At the University of Pittsburgh, he is vice-chair emeritus for the Department of Critical Care Medicine and a faculty member at the Center for Critical Care Nephrology and the Center for Military Medicine Research.

Resources referenced in this podcast: