SCCM Podcast

J. Randall Curtis, MD, MPH, discusses his article in the December 2005 issue of Critical Connections, "Improving Family Conferences About End of Life Care in the ICU." Dr. Curtis is the director of the end-of-life research program at the University of Washington in Seattle. He shares advice on how healthcare professionals can build trust with families with open and honest conversations about patient care and offers techniques and procedures associated with "successful" family conferences. (Crit Conn 2005 Vol.4 No.6)

Karin Kirchhoff, MSN, PhD, discusses her article published in the December 2005 issue of Critical Connections, "Getting Our ICU Language Straight." Dr. Kirchhoff is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. She discusses how every member of the multiprofessional team can improve families experiences at the end of life by being sensitive to the language they use and involving the family at every stage of care. (Crit Conn 2005 Vol.4 No.6)

Robert Truog, MD, FCCM, discusses his article published in the December 2005 issue of Critical Connections, "Pediatric End of Life: Special Needs for Special Children." Dr. Truog is professor of medical ethics and anesthesia, pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston. He discusses the unique challenges faced in the pediatric intensive care unit by physicians and family members. (Crit Conn 2005 Vol.4 No.6)

The Society of Critical Care Medicine president, Peter Angood, MD, FCCM, discusses the growth and success of the Society as he prepares to pass the leadership torch at the end of the year. He cites the Society growing international scope, its collaboration with other organizations and its Right Care, Right Now campaign as being among SCCM most distinguishable accomplishments.

Adrienne Randolph, MD, MSc, served as guest editor for the May 2005 supplement to Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Randolph shares her thoughts on the importance of the 1st International Sepsis Forum on Sepsis in Infants and Children and the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigator's (PALISI) Network. She also highlights the most important aspects from the supplement, which she played such an instrumental role in producing. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005 Vol. 6, No. 3 (Suppl.)

Cathie Guzzetta, RN, PhD, HNC, discusses the experiences that led her to interest in the holistic approach to critical care. She shares her thoughts on caring for the mind, body and spirit of patients and families, including the controversies behind allowing some families to be present during CPR and invasive procedures. Guzzetta is director of Holistic Nursing Consultants in Washington, D.C., and one of seven prominent critical care leaders to present during the plenary sessions at the 35th Critical Care Congress January 7 to 11 in San Francisco, California.

Brian Silverstein, vice president of Sg2 Health Care Intelligence, a consulting organization that provides medical professionals with information on changes in the technology, financing and delivery of healthcare services, shares his thoughts on advising in the healthcare industry. He addresses the challenges that institutions face in communication and culture as well as his thoughts on the anticipated increase in demand for critical care services, a topic he will provide more detail on during his keynote presentation at the 35th Critical Care Congress

Dr. Scott Dulchavsky's studies of critical care in space may have major influences in intensive care on Earth. Learn more about him and his work before he takes the stage during a 35th Critical Care Congress plenary session.

Two Society members discuss their experiences treating evacuees of Hurricane Katrina, the level of preparedness they saw within their hospitals and what lessons they will take from this disaster.

Interview with Society member Barbara McLean, MN, CCRN, CRNP, FCCM