The Critical Care Commute Podcast

This episode features Professor Bram Rochwerg discussing the latest guidelines on surviving sepsis, covering evidence-based practices, fluid management, vasopressor use, and emerging therapies. Gain insights into how expert panels synthesize evidence to guide critical care in sepsis management.
Key Topics Covered:
Sepsis guideline updates 2026
Evidence synthesis and recommendation strength
Fluid resuscitation strategies and targets
Vasopressor use and peripheral administration
Emerging therapies: Methylene blue, steroids, bicarbonate
Biomarkers and diagnostics in sepsis

Links: Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2026 | SCCM
Executive Summary: Surviving Sepsis Campaign:... : Critical Care Medicine

In this episode, we're joined by Sonja, RN, Nurse Educator, and host of the Sedation Vacation Radio podcast. (Full disclosure: we're big fans, so we might be just a little biased!)
Sonja shares practical, real-world advice on infection prevention and control, from getting PPE right to safely managing patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fevers. Along the way, we explore what it takes to prepare healthcare teams and systems for these high-consequence situations, with plenty of practical tips and lessons you can apply in your own workplace.

Key topics
Infection control procedures for viral hemorrhagic fever
PPE donning and doffing protocols with step-by-step guidance
System-level response and isolation procedures for high-risk infectious cases
Role of medical officers and rapid response teams in outbreak management
Waste disposal and sample handling for contagious diseases
Aerosol-generating medical procedures and precautions

Takeaways:
Proper PPE donning and doffing is critical to prevent self-contamination.
Clear protocols and checklists improve safety during high-risk procedures.
System-level planning includes designated isolation units and inter-agency communication.
Understanding the difference between contact, droplet, and airborne precautions is essential.

Links of Interest:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/ebola/border-measures.htmlPractical PPE:
Coverall PPE (this is the PPE that anyone going into the room and doing patient care or assessments will be wearing) https://youtu.be/ADosrKxfsNI
Buddy PPE (this is the PPE that is worn by those who assist with Coverall doffing and other tasks) https://youtu.be/RaNwdvSyrb4
Coverall and Buddy Doffing https://youtu.be/EjVoXmRNzWc
Sedation Vacation Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/15P4tJ7uW17u41bm3V7CEf?si=1ua7uXu-Sa6nQGrkur0Gow

Join us on this episode as we discuss Ebola Disease with Dr Rob Fowler, critical Care Physician, Researcher and Scientist. As a physician who experienced working with patients with Ebola Disease, there is no better person to discuss this hot topic.

Key Topics
Ebola virus strains and outbreaks
Diagnostic testing and laboratory protocols
Therapeutic developments and clinical trials
Supportive care principles in Ebola treatment
Infection prevention and PPE in outbreak settings
Case fatality rates and clinical outcomes
Virus immune evasion mechanisms
Public health response and outbreak management.

Further reading and important links:
WHO Supportive Care Guidelines (2026 – coming soon) https://www.magicevidence.org/
WHO Specific Therapeutic Guidelines (not Bundibugyo species specific) (2022) http://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240055742
WHO Ebola and Marburg virus IPC Guidelines (2026) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240111332

This episode features Professor Wendy Sligl discussing hantaviruses, their transmission, clinical presentation, public health response, and prevention strategies. Aimed at healthcare professionals and public health officials, it provides critical insights into managing outbreaks and understanding zoonotic diseases.

Key Topics:
Hantavirus family and strains
Transmission routes and human-to-human spread
Clinical presentation and severity spectrum
Public health response and quarantine protocols
Prevention and protective measures

From Intubation Dilemmas to Data-Driven Decisions: Cutting-Edge Research in Pre-Hospital Trauma Care. In this episode, we explore a study that leverages machine learning and causal modeling to improve pre-hospital trauma interventions, specifically endotracheal intubation.
Experts Amy Nelson and Julian Thompson discuss how innovative data analysis can inform real-time decision-making, enhance patient outcomes, and optimize resource allocation in emergency settings.
Main Topics:
The long-standing debate over early pre-hospital intubation and its survival benefits
Methodological advances using machine learning and causal inference in emergency research
How predictive models can support clinicians at the roadside and future directions for trauma care
The significance of integrating AI tools into clinical judgment without replacing human expertise
Cost-effectiveness and system-wide implications of adopting data-driven protocols in trauma systems