SCCM Podcast

In this episode of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Podcast, host Diane McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, is joined by John Appino, MBA, founder and CEO of Contract Diagnostics, and Ryan Hakimi, DO, MS, NVS, RPNI, CPB, FNCS, FCCM, neurointensivist at Prisma Health in Greenville, South Carolina, for a conversation on salary and contract negotiations for advanced practice providers (APPs). The guests explore the nuances of evaluating job offers and negotiating compensation, as well as prioritizing onboarding, mentorship, and job fit. Dr. Hakimi shares insights from his leadership roles in academic neuro-ICUs and his longstanding advocacy for APPs, while Mr. Appino offers a strategic perspective on contract structures, compensation models, and negotiation tactics. The discussion highlights the variability in contract practices across academic and private institutions, the importance of defining full-time employment expectations, and the role of offer letters versus formal contracts. Listeners will learn how to approach salary discussions with confidence, including when to negotiate, which data to reference (e.g., Medical Group Management Association and American Medical Group Association benchmarks), and how to assess a job offer beyond salary. This episode is valuable for APPs at any career stage seeking fair compensation and sustainable career growth. It emphasizes that successful negotiations are not just about salary—they are also about clarity, support, and long-term professional satisfaction.

In this discussion, pediatric intensivist Jeremy Loberger dives into the complexities of pediatric ventilator liberation. He talks about standardizing practices while grappling with the diverse needs of patients in ICUs. Key topics include the importance of spontaneous breathing trials, the nuanced use of pressure support, and the role of noninvasive ventilation strategies. Loberger emphasizes individualized care, especially for high-risk children, and highlights collaborative efforts like the Ventilation Liberation for Kids initiative aimed at improving extubation practices.

Kaitlin M. Alexander, a clinical associate professor specializing in AI in pharmacy education, and Ankit Sakhuja, director of AI at an Institute for Critical Care Medicine, share insights on integrating AI in critical care. They discuss how AI can enhance education through interactive simulations and improve clinical decision-making by analyzing vast data. The duo addresses challenges like patient data privacy and algorithm transparency, while exploring the future of personalized medicine and the importance of teaching responsible AI usage to healthcare professionals.

In this discussion, Dr. Matheus Bannach, a neurosurgeon specializing in neurocritical care, shares insights from his systematic review on blood transfusion strategies for traumatic brain injury. He reveals that a liberal transfusion approach can improve neurologic outcomes compared to a restrictive one. Dr. Bannach delves into study methodologies, the limited supply of blood, and the risks involved in transfusions. He also highlights the importance of optimizing transfusion thresholds while addressing concerns over resource use and potential complications like ARDS.

Vincenzo Russotto, an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care at the University of Turin, shares his expertise on induction agents for tracheal intubation in critically ill patients. He discusses the pros and cons of ketamine, etomidate, and propofol, highlighting recent findings suggesting ketamine may offer a safer profile. Ethical challenges in testing these drugs and the importance of hemodynamic optimization during intubation are emphasized. Russotto advocates for personalized treatment approaches based on individual patient conditions.

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. They review potential strategies, such as diaries to help patients better understand their ICU experience. Dr. Tilburgs also highlights the benefits of his institution’s discussion group for ICU survivors. Listeners will gain key insights on the long-term effects of PICS, actionable ideas for improving ICU patient care, and ideas for future research. Resources referenced in this episode:  Associations Between Physical, Cognitive, and Mental Health Domains of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome and Quality of Life: A Longitudinal Multicenter Cohort Study (Tilburgs B, et al. Crit Care Med. 2025 Jan;53:e74-e86).

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, obtaining institutional buy-in, and making the recognition relevant and meaningful to APPs’ work. Both guests emphasize that professional advancement programs should motivate and engage APPs over the course of their careers and encourage more appreciation for their work. The conversation will motivate listeners to explore similar career development programs at their own institutions.

James R. Rodrigue, a clinical psychologist and expert in transplantation, and Richard D. Hasz, a leader in organ procurement, discuss recent findings on racial equity in organ donation. They reveal how outdated data led to misconceptions about disparity in family approaches. Highlighting the role of standardized practices, they stress the significance of timely referrals and family communication during sensitive moments. They also advocate for integrating donor information into education systems to raise awareness, particularly among younger demographics.

Join Anil Sachdev, a leading pediatric critical care expert, as he shares groundbreaking insights from his research on transpulmonary pressure-guided mechanical ventilation for treating severe pediatric ARDS. He discusses how this innovative approach can enhance oxygenation and clinician confidence compared to traditional methods. Sachdev also reveals the practical challenges faced, such as delicate catheter placement in young patients and the constraints of conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. A must-listen for anyone interested in pediatric health advancements!

Ben Forestell, an emergency and critical care medicine specialist, and Garrett McDougall, an emergency medicine trainee, dive into their research comparing direct and video laryngoscopy for intubation in critically ill patients. They reveal surprising findings, including equal benefits from standard and hyperangulated video devices. The discussion highlights video laryngoscopy's potential to improve first-pass success rates and reduce severe complications, emphasizing the need for ongoing research in critical care and difficult airway management.