April and Alicia are back from Spring Break and ready to dive back into another On Call fact or fiction head-to-head! Changing seasons can impact your health in many ways. Allergies, bugs, and changing temperatures are just a few factors that could distract you from the Spring cleaning you've been putting off. What plants are the biggest Spring villains? Does this season make you more vulnerable to ticks? Do you actually need to fill a huge planter with dirt before putting flowers in it? Tune in to find out!

Spring fever

In this episode, Dr. Zanotti discusses the science of hope. He's joined by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak, a physician-scientist, the Edward D. Viner Endowed Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care, and Professor and Chair of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Trzeciak is a practicing intensivist and a clinical researcher with more than 100 publications in the scientific literature. In addition, he is co-author of two excellent books: Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself (2022) and Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference (2019).

Additional resources:
Recovery Expectations and Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Barefoot JC, et al. JAMA Internal Medicine 2011: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21357800/ 

Optimism and Rehospitalization After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. Scheler MF, et al. JAMA Int Med 1999: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10219928/ 

The median is not the message. By Jay Gould: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/sites/joedb/files/2018-05/mnar1-1301.pdf

Books mentioned in this episode:
Man’s Search for Meaning. By Viktor E. Frankl: https://bit.ly/3SqsNyt

Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself. By Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli: https://bit.ly/4kiyA5q

Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference. By Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli: https://bit.ly/43ul5IE

The science of hope

In honor of Men's Health Week, April and Alicia are joined by a special guest: Sound Hospital Medicine's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mihir Patel. Dr. Patel brings personal insight and professional perspective to discussing the realities of men and their health. Why are so many men hesitant to schedule those regular checkups? What preventive screenings could save a man's life—especially one who feels perfectly fine? Tune in for a conversation that could inspire you (or the men in your life) to make that overdue appointment.

Food for thought: Discussing Men's Health with Dr. Mihir Patel

In this episode of, Dr. Sergio Zanotti explores the vital role of enteral nutrition in the ICU—a foundational element in the prevention and treatment of disease-related malnutrition among critically ill patients. He is joined by Dr. Leah Gramlich, a distinguished gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Gramlich is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta and the founding president of the Canadian Nutrition Society. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and chaired the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, bringing deep expertise to this essential topic.

Additional resources:
Enteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Adults. Lead Gramlich, Peggi Guenter. New Engl J Med 2025: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40239069/  

Individualized nutritional support in medical inpatients at nutritional risk: a randomized clinical trial. The EFFORT Clinical Trial. Lancet 2019: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32776-4/abstract 

Low versus standard calorie and protein feeding in ventilated adults with shock: a randomised, controlled, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group trial (NUTRIREA-3). Lancet Respir Med 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36958363/ 

The effect of higher protein dosing in critically ill patients with high nutritional risk (EFFORT Protein): an international, multicentre, pragmatic, registry-based randomised trial. Lancet 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36708732/ 

Books mentioned in this episode:
The Overstory: A Novel. By Richard Powers: https://bit.ly/43Drra1

Enteral Nutrition in the ICU

You know what they say: sun's out, bugs out! To celebrate the start of the season, April and Alicia test each other's summertime safety knowledge with a fact or fiction. What warm-weather critters could cause you harm? Are you really at risk of West Nile virus in the U.S.? And just what exactly should you put on a jellyfish sting? Tune in and play along - On Call summer school is in session.

Hot cicada summer

In this episode, Dr. Sergio Zanotti discusses the different aspects of managing pneumonia in critically ill patients. He covers the initial management of severe pneumonia, management of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and highlights the clinical approach to non-resolving pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU). He is joined by Dr. Andre Kalil, a physician specializing in critical care and infectious diseases. Dr. Kalil is a Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Director of Transplant Infectious Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).	

Additional resources:
How to approach a patient hospitalized for pneumonia who is not responding to treatment? Pedro Povoa, et al. Intensive Care Med 2025: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00134-025-07903-3 

Management of Adults With Hospital-acquired and Ventilator-associated Pneumonia: 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Thoracic Society. Andre Kalil, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2016: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4981759/ 

Management of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia: Guidelines. M Metersky and Andre c. Kalil. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 202: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38280768/ 

Hydrocortisone in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia. CAPE-COD Clinical Trial. N Eng J of Med 202: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2215145 

Continuous vs. Intermittent β-Lactam Antibiotic Infusions in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis. BLING III Clinical Trial. JAMA 2024: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2819971

Music mentioned in this episode:
 
Pat Metheny Group – We Live Here: https://bit.ly/44gt8Jl

Antonio Carlos Jobin – Terra Basilis: http://bit.ly/4k4Amq1

Mahler: Symphony No.9 – Chicago Symphony Orchestra: http://bit.ly/4k9sXWn

Management of pneumonia in the ICU

It’s Herbal Prescription Interaction Awareness Month—yes, that’s a thing! In this episode, April and Alicia discuss some of the most famous homeopathic remedies that may not be playing nice with the prescriptions in your medicine cabinet. From flu season fixes to natural mood boosters, our hosts dig into the pros, the cons, and the "wait, this does what?!" moments. Spoiler alert: just because it grows in your garden doesn't mean it's risk-free.

Mixing with caution

In this episode, April and Alicia have the pleasure of sitting down with friend, colleague, and adventurer extraordinaire Stephanie Byrne. As VP of Specialized Clinical Solutions at Sound, Stephanie knows a thing or two about problem solving, providing support, and conflict resolution - all things that make a great leader. Tune in to hear Stephanie's story!

The art of showing up feat. Stephanie Byrne

This month, we’re scrubbing in with a two-parter on the latest health headlines—literally. From the buzz about “skin cancer soap” to the ongoing debate around BMI, April and Alicia break down the breakthroughs, bust some myths, and ask the big (and sometimes weird) questions facing the future of healthcare. Tune in for your dose of news and nuance.

Healthcare headlines - Part 1

In this episode, Dr. Sergio Zanotti discusses ECPR–Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. ECPR is still be considered a niche therapy, but its relevance and availability are increasing. He is joined by Dr. Adam Green, a practicing intensivist at Cooper University Health Care and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU). Dr. Green is the director of research for the division of Critical Care and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He has been part of the ECMO team at Cooper since its inception. 

Additional resources:
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation for refractory cardiac arrest. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine 2025: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213260025001225  

Effect of Intra-arrest Transport, Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and Immediate Invasive Assessment and Treatment on Functional Neurologic Outcome in Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. JAMA 2022: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2789313  

Association between increasing institutional experience with ECPR and outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A nationwide multicenter observational study in Japan (the JAAM–OHCA registry) RESUSCITATION 2025: https://www.resuscitationjournal.com/article/S0300-9572(24)00862-1/fulltext  

Early Extracorporeal CPR for Refractory Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. N Eng J of Med 2023: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2204511  


Books mentioned in this episode: 

The Perfect Predator: A Scientist’s Race to Save Her Husband from a Deadly Superbug. By S. Strathdee and T Patterson: https://amzn.to/3Hxjmez 

ECPR

Ready for part two? April and Alicia are back with more health news headlines and hot takes! In this episode, they dive into the battle against C-section site infections and the innovations saving the lives of countless women. Also, April unpacks what a compact license means for physician assistants on the move. It's breaking news, and you won't want to miss it!

Healthcare headlines - Part 2

Welcome to On Call, the insightful and engaging podcast hosted by April Burke and Alicia Scheffer two seasoned Sound advanced practice providers with over 15 years of combined experience in healthcare. Join them as they delve into the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, exploring trending topics that shape the future of medicine, patient care, and the healthcare workforce.
On Call serves as an indispensable resource for healthcare practitioners, administrators, and anyone passionate about transforming the healthcare system for the better. Whether you're a medical professional looking to stay on top of industry trends or a patient seeking to understand the dynamics shaping your care, this podcast promises thought-provoking conversations and valuable takeaways.

Spring fever

On Call with April and Alicia

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