Critical Care Scenarios

Follow Critical Care Scenarios
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join us as we talk through clinical cases in the ICU setting, illustrating important points of diagnosis, treatment, and management of the critically ill patient, all in a casual, "talk through" verbal scenario format.

Critical Care Scenarios


    • Jun 1, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 207 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Critical Care Scenarios podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone working in the field of critical care. As a regular listener and experienced ICU nurse, I have found this podcast to be incredibly valuable in expanding my knowledge and skills. The topics covered are relevant and the guests are experts in their respective fields, providing practical discussions of real-life cases.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the lack of ego or academic snobbery that often accompanies critical care content. The doctors on this podcast approach each case with humility and a willingness to learn from one another, creating a collaborative and educational atmosphere. They explain their reasoning behind different treatment plans and provide insights into their decision-making process, which is highly beneficial for listeners like me who want to understand the thought process behind critical care management.

    The format of discussing cases helps me as an ICU nurse to better understand different concepts and how they can be applied in practice. I appreciate that the scenarios presented are not just common diagnoses but also include less frequent ones that we may encounter occasionally in our work. The step-by-step walkthroughs are thorough and informative, giving me confidence in my role as an ICU nurse.

    While it's hard to find any major faults with this podcast, one aspect that could be improved upon is the frequency of episodes. As an avid listener, I always look forward to new episodes but sometimes have to wait longer than anticipated for new content. However, I understand that producing high-quality episodes takes time and effort, so I appreciate the dedication of the hosts in delivering valuable content.

    In conclusion, The Critical Care Scenarios podcast is a must-listen for anyone working or interested in critical care medicine. The discussions of real-life cases provide practical insights into the complexities of managing critically ill patients. From experienced healthcare professionals to new grads like myself, there is something to be gained from every episode. I am grateful for this podcast and hope that it continues to provide valuable content for years to come.



    Search for episodes from Critical Care Scenarios with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Critical Care Scenarios

    Special announcement: Academy CME accreditation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025


    Visit the Intensive Care Academy

    Lightning rounds 52: Echo tips with Michael Lanspa

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 59:47


    We chat with Dr. Michael Lanspa, intensivist and director of the Intermountain Critical Care Echocardiography Core Lab, about common pitfalls among bedside POCUS users and tricks for doing it better. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Takeaway lessons

    Episode 89: Thrombectomy for stroke, with Justin Fraser

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 59:55


    We explore the world of thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with Justin F. Fraser (@doctorjfred), MD, FAANS, FAHA, Professor and Vice-Chair of Neurological Surgery and Director of Cerebrovascular Surgery and Neuro-interventional Radiology at University of Kentucky, where he specializes in cerebrovascular, endovascular, skull base, and endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy … Continue reading "Episode 89: Thrombectomy for stroke, with Justin Fraser"

    Episode 87: Maternal-fetal monitoring with Stephanie Martin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 51:42


    We learn about the basics of fetal monitoring in the critically ill pregnant woman and how to integrate them into our ICU workflows, with Stephanie Martin, MFM obstetrician and host of the Critical Care Obstetrics podcast and teacher at the Critical Care Obstretrics Academy. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon … Continue reading "Episode 87: Maternal-fetal monitoring with Stephanie Martin"

    Academy bites: The power of disagreeing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 8:36


    Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 86: EEGs in the ICU with Carolina Maciel

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025


    We discuss the basics of EEG in the ICU, including when to do it, selecting the appropriate study, and the basics of bedside interpretation, with Carolina B Maciel, MD, MSCR, FAAN, triple boarded in neurology, neurocritical care, and critical care EEG. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your … Continue reading "Episode 86: EEGs in the ICU with Carolina Maciel"

    Lightning rounds 51: Hemodynamic interfaces with Philippe Rola

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 43:43


    Philippe Rola, intensivist, master of the VEXUS scan, and founder of the Hospitalist and Resuscitationist conference, shares his recent model of four hemodynamic interfaces to describe the entire circulatory system. Register for the H&R conference (May 22-23 2025) here with the discount code provided in the show. (No, we're not sponsored, just a cool event.) … Continue reading "Lightning rounds 51: Hemodynamic interfaces with Philippe Rola"

    Episode 88: ICU Liberation SCCM Congress 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 13:55


    A roundup from members of the SCCM's ICU Liberation committee, recorded at SCCM Congress 2025. Included:

    Lightning rounds 50: Mastering PA catheter placement with Matt Siuba

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 64:28


    We learn the vanishing art of placing the PA (Swan-Ganz) catheter, with intensivist and friend of the podcast Matt Siuba (@msiuba). Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway points References Insertion video Wedge distance How measurement technique affects diagnosis Thermo in TR review POCUS for … Continue reading "Lightning rounds 50: Mastering PA catheter placement with Matt Siuba"

    Lightning rounds 49: The Vortex approach with Nicholas Chrimes

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 67:13


    We learn about the Vortex approach to airway management, as well as airway algorithms and mental models in general, with Vortex creator and anesthesiologist Dr. Nicholas Chrimes, anaesthetist and cofounder of the Safe Airway Society. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! References

    Episode 85: Tracheostomy basics with Vinciya Pandian

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 46:01


    We discuss the basics of evaluation for tracheostomy placement, periprocedural care, and post-procedure complications with Vinciya Pandian, PhD, ACNP, FCCM, tracheostomy nurse practitioner and researcher. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Academy bites: You were here when we were not

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 15:40


    Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 84: Acute liver failure with Sergio Navarrete

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 56:39


    We discuss assessment, monitoring, medical stabilization, and when to consider transplant of the patient with acute liver failure. We are joined by Dr. Sergio Navarrete, anesthesiologist and intensivist with fellowship training in transplant anesthesia. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons References

    Episode 83: Cardiac arrest with Scott Weingart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 70:15


    We talk about the nitty-gritty details of a well-run cardiac arrest, with Scott Weingart of Emcrit (@emcrit), ED intensivist. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons Resources

    Lightning rounds 48: Complete airway closure with Thomas Piraino

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 73:45


    We talk about the phenomenon of airway closure during mechanical ventilation, with Thomas Piraino, RRT, FCSRT, FAARC, adjunct lecturer for the Department of Anesthesia at McMaster University, editor of The Centre of Excellence in Mechanical Ventilation Blog, and a member of the editorial board of Respiratory Care. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on … Continue reading "Lightning rounds 48: Complete airway closure with Thomas Piraino"

    Episode 82: When it goes wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 55:55


    Our approach to common problems and troubleshooting: Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 47: Post-op care transitions

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 44:09


    We chat about the post-op transition of care from the OR to the ICU, including questions to ask, workflows, and pitfalls. Check out the Intensive Care Academy here! Bryan's textbook: Concepts in Surgical Critical Care Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 81: Bacterial meningitis with Casey Albin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 58:42


    We talk about diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent care of the patient with bacterial meningitis, with Emory neurointensivist Casey Albin, MD (@caseyalbin). Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons Resources

    Lightning rounds 46: Nick Ghionni on combating cognitive bias

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 55:40


    We chat with Nick Ghionni, pulm/crit attending at MedStar Baltimore Hospital, about identifying and combating cognitive biases in our clinical decision-making. Check out the Intensive Care Academy here! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 80: Implementing the A-F bundle with Kali Dayton

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 58:08


    We discuss the practical barriers to implementing the A-F ICU liberation bundle, with Kali Dayton, ACNP-BC (@daytonicu), host of the Walking Home from the ICU podcast, and consultant to ICUs working on these issues. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 45: Noelia Bischoff on transitioning nursing roles

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 38:55


    We chat with Noelia Bischoff, recently off orientation in the medical ICU at Johns Hopkins as a nurse practitioner, about the transition from her role as a bedside ICU nurse. Check out the Intensive Care Academy here! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 79: Transfusion reactions with Joe Chaffin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 55:54


    We discuss transfusion reactions, risks, and management, including infection, consent, TRALI, TACO, and hemolytic reactions—with Dr. Joe Chaffin (@bloodbankguy), the “Blood Bank Guy” and transfusion medicine specialist. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons

    Lightning rounds 44: Post-intubation sedation roundup

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 32:00


    Experts in critical care share their approach to post-intubation sedation. Contributors: Check out the Intensive Care Academy here! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 78: Echoing the RV with Matt Siuba

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 55:29


    We talk the nitty-gritty of assessing the right heart using echocardiography, with our friend Matt Siuba (@msiuba), intensivist at the Cleveland Clinic and master of zentensivism. Learn more at the Intensive Care Academy! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons

    Lightning rounds 43: AI in medicine, with Nawar Shara

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 56:43


    We explore the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its role in medicine, with Nawar Shara (@NawarShara), PhD, Chief of Research Data Science at Medstar Health Research Institute and cofounding director of the AI Collab between Medstar and Georgetown. Check out the Intensive Care Academy here! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Special episode: The Intensive Care Academy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 22:10


    We share our grand new project, the Intensive Care Academy, an online, video-based, subscriber-only educational platform. Check it out at icu101.com!

    Episode 77: Mastering APRV with Rory Spiegel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 62:11


    We discuss the practicalities of using airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) with Dr. Rory Spiegel (@EMnerd_), emergency physician and intensivist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center (and EMNerd at Emcrit). Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons

    Lightning rounds 42: Hospital chaplains, with Christine V. Davies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 47:49


    We learn about the training, role, and benefits of hospital chaplains, with Christine V. Davies, MDiv, MSW, Director of Chaplaincy at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 76: Rehabilitation psychology, with Megan Hosey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 42:42


    We discuss the field of rehabilitation psychology, and how it can help patients with persistent critical illness, with Dr. Megan Hosey (@DrMeganHoseyPhD), clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she practices in the medical ICU. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons Resources

    Lightning rounds 41: Respiratory therapy with Keith Lamb

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 40:14


    We explore the profession of respiratory therapy in the US, including their role and training and how to optimize our clinical relationships, with Keith Lamb (@kdlamb1), RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC, FCCM. Keith is an RT at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, working clinically in neuro/surgical/trauma critical care, who has been active in research and has … Continue reading "Lightning rounds 41: Respiratory therapy with Keith Lamb"

    TIRBO 62: The sweet spot for learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 17:22


    Responsible self-directed learning occurs in a zone between comfort and novelty. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 75: Automatic tube compensation, with Ben Fabry

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2024 56:54


    We discuss the principles and application of automatic tube compensation (ATC) on modern ventilators, with its creator Ben Fabry. Dr. Fabry is a professor and chair of biophysics at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, originally trained as an electrical engineer, who originally developed ATC as part of his PhD program. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your … Continue reading "Episode 75: Automatic tube compensation, with Ben Fabry"

    TIRBO 61: How to use POCUS (our expert consensus)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 23:06


    Brandon summarizes his recent publication describing best practices for performing POCUS. Read the paper open access at POCUS Journal. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 74: Obstructive shock, with Sarah Lorenzini (Nurses’ Podcrawl 2024)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 49:54


    Our collaboration with Sarah Lorenzini of the Rapid Response RN podcast, discussing a case and general principles for diagnosing and managing obstructive shock. Check out the other episodes on shock in the Nurses' Podcrawl 2024! Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 40: Critical care medicine fellowships with Nicholas Ghionni

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 39:10


    We chat about pulmonary/critical care medicine fellowship with recent graduate Nicholas Ghionni (@pulmtoilet), a first-year attending at the MedStar Baltimore Hospital system. He completed PCCM fellowship at MedStar Washington Hospital Center where he also served as chief fellow. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    TIRBO 60: They don’t care about you

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 13:00


    The difference between people and institutions. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 73: POCUS for nephrology, with Abhilash Koratala

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 53:51


    We discuss the role of point-of-care ultrasound in evaluating the patient with kidney injury and assessing volume status, with Abhilash Koratala (@nephroP), nephrologist, Director of Clinical Imaging for Nephrology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and champion of nephrology-focused ultrasound. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons References Episode 4 with … Continue reading "Episode 73: POCUS for nephrology, with Abhilash Koratala"

    TIRBO 59: How we make the podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 20:35


    The nuts and bolts of how we produce the show. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 39: Understanding flight medicine with Jace Mullen

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 52:09


    We explore critical care transport medicine from both a clinical and career perspective, including helicopters (HEMS), fixed wing jet, and ground ambulance transports, with Jace Mullen, flight paramedic and airway educator out of Denver. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    TIRBO 58: Difficult cases

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 13:02


    When do patients deaths bother us?

    Episode 72: CPR-induced consciousness with Jack Howard

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 41:21


    Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! We discuss the phenomenon of CPR-induced consciousness (i.e. patients demonstrating awakeness during resuscitation) with Jack Howard, Intensive Care Paramedic at Ambulance Victoria in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, and first author on a recent literature review and Delphi-derived expert guideline on CPRIC management. Takeaway lessons … Continue reading "Episode 72: CPR-induced consciousness with Jack Howard"

    TIRBO 57: Volume vs pressure control

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 19:14


    Should you use volume or pressure control ventilation? Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 38: Working in APP leadership, with Jason Wieland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 46:47


    We talk about working in critical care APP leadership positions, with Jason Wieland, PA, Lead Pulmonary & Critical Care APP at WakeMed Health System in Raleigh, NC. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    TIRBO 56: Transfixing vessels

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 14:28


    You poked through the deep wall of a vessel. Now what? Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 71: Transplant medications with Olivia Philippart

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 54:52


    We discuss the medications typically used after organ transplant, their impact on critical illness, and how to manage them when these patients show up sick—with Olivia Philippart, transplant clinical pharmacist specializing in liver and kidney transplant at University of Kentucky HealthCare. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons References From: Fishman … Continue reading "Episode 71: Transplant medications with Olivia Philippart"

    TIRBO 55: Bowel regimens

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 13:15


    How I make patients poop. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Lightning rounds 37: Weaning the deliriosedated patient (SCCM roundup)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 9:13


    A roundup of opinions from attendees at SCCM's 2024 Critical Care Congress in Phoenix on strategies for rescuing the patient stuck in a loop of deep sedation and agitation. Thanks to Pat Posa, Martha Roberts, Juliana Barr, Kelly Drumright, and Ben Lassow for their input. Resources

    TIRBO 54: Documenting POCUS studies

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 8:45


    How to document your ultrasound findings. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here!

    Episode 70: Airway evaluation for non-anesthesiologists, with Jed Wolpaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 58:25


    We discuss assessing patients prior to intubation or other airway management, including both elective and emergent circumstances, with Dr. Jed Wolpaw, anesthesiologist and intensivist from Johns Hopkins, anesthesiology residency program director, and host of the ACCRAC podcast. Find us on Patreon here! Buy your merch here! Takeaway lessons References

    TIRBO 53: Who needs an arterial line?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 11:37


    Arterial lines are resuscitative tools.

    Lightning rounds 36: Nurses are from Venus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 43:04


    Bedside nurses and providers (physicians, PAs, NPs) tend to see the world differently, much of it driven by their training and the systems they work within. We chat about reconciling this and how to best function as a team.

    Claim Critical Care Scenarios

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel