Healthcare Musings

Weighed Down By Grief Over She Who Is “Weightless”

On June 7, 2009 my eldest daughter, Bayan, died from complications of lymphoma. Ever since that day, there have been songs that have helped me deal with the grief of her loss. I call them, “The Soundtrack of my Grief.” The song I reflect on here is “Weightless,” by Natasha Bedingfield.  Song on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/weightless-less-is-more-version/402882140?i=402882221 [https://music.apple.com/us/album/weightless-less-is-more-version/402882140?i=402882221]

Dr. H's Verbal Hassaboluses: We've Come Full Circle on Notes That Say Nothing

When I first started practicing, progress notes in the medical record said nothing because physicians did not write legibly. Now, we have multi-page progress notes that are legible and also say nothing. Why are we still here?

Dr. H’s Verbal Hassaboluses: Residents and Fellows: PLEASE Stop Writing System-Based Notes Right Now

This is the first in a new series of soliloquies by Dr. Hassaballa called “Dr. H’s Verbal Hassaboluses.”  And for the very first one, he advises Residents and Fellows to PLEASE stop writing system-based notes.

My Covid Reflection: Six Years Ago Today

Six years ago, today, was the darkest day of the Covid 19 pandemic for me. And it was good for me that all my emotion came out at the time it did.

2026 Sepsis Guidelines: The 17 Strong Recommendations Everyone Needs to Know

The 2026 Surviving Sepsis Guidelines were released last March in Chicago. Among the dozens of recommendations, there are 17 “strong” recommendations. In this episode, Dr. Hassaballa speaks about these 17 strong recommendations and its implications on clinical practice.  Surviving Sepsis Guidelines: https://sccm.org/survivingsepsiscampaign/guidelines-and-resources/surviving-sepsis-campaign-adult-guidelines  [https://sccm.org/survivingsepsiscampaign/guidelines-and-resources/surviving-sepsis-campaign-adult-guidelines]