UAB Med Cast

As demand for donor hearts continues to outpace supply, donation after circulatory death (DCD) is helping expand access for patients on the waitlist. UAB heart transplant experts Rajamiyer Venkateswaran, M.D., and Jose Tallaj, M.D., discuss the growing use of DCD hearts, patient outcomes, ethical considerations, and preservation advances making more transplants possible.

OR delays may never be eliminated, but many can be prevented. Napoleon Player, DNP, associate vice president of perioperative services and procedures, compares the operating room to an airport – a complex system that requires constant coordination. He explains how UAB analyzes delays and uses data to pinpoint where better preparation and communication can reduce them.

Early recognition of progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) is critical because further lung damage cannot be reversed. Teja Kulkarni, M.D., discusses the criteria for diagnosing PPF, the importance of multidisciplinary evaluation, and the expanding antifibrotic treatment options.

UAB Medicine developed the “Golden Week” program to standardize care for extremely preterm infants in their first days of life. Colm Travers, M.D., explains how a dedicated team using bundled, evidence-based practices and program-specific order sets has reduced variability in care. Learn how this structured approach has lowered mortality and severe intracranial hemorrhage in the first week after birth.

Standardizing care is often possible and can reduce delays that keep patients in the hospital longer than necessary. Kierstin Kennedy, M.D., chief medical and quality officer at UAB Medicine, discusses how unnecessary variation shows up in care delivery and what teams can do to address it. Learn how focusing on the 80% of care that can be standardized strengthens care for complex cases as well.

Entrepreneurship in academic medicine often means scaling solutions developed in your own clinic so that others can benefit. Ashish Shah, M.D., shares lessons from launching multiple startups while practicing at UAB. Learn how physicians can vet ideas, find mentors, pursue grant support, and work with university innovation programs to bring new solutions to market.

Menopause care has shifted from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more individualized, risk-based model. Dr. Minakshi Shukla discusses updated guidance on hormone therapy timing and formulation; the role of non-hormonal treatment options; and strategies for midlife weight and cardiometabolic management. Learn how to routinely discuss menopause care with your patients.

Treatment for atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is becoming safer and more efficient with the addition of pulsed field ablation (PFA). Cardiac electrophysiologist William Maddox, M.D., explains how PFA targets cardiac tissue while sparing nearby structures and how it can be combined with radiofrequency ablation when needed.

Trabecular bone score (TBS) adds insight beyond bone mineral density to better assess fracture risk and guide treatment decisions. Basma Abdulhadi, M.D., discusses how TBS complements DEXA and refines FRAX estimates, especially in patients with osteopenia who are near the treatment threshold. Learn how Type 2 diabetes can mask fracture risk and who may benefit from TBS as part of their initial assessment.

Brachytherapy is an inside-out radiation approach to treating tumors that may offer advantages over external beam radiation in some situations. Samuel Marcrom, M.D., a radiation oncologist, discusses how brachytherapy differs from external beam radiation including its situational advantages and challenges, as well as common uses. He explains patient selection, treatment logistics, and the UAB patient experience.

In this episode, we join Steven Russell, M.D., as he outlines ways to enhance bedside interactions and improve patient outcomes. With technology playing a significant role in medicine today, it’s crucial to find a balance that keeps patients at the center of care. Tune in to learn about effective strategies that ensure a valuable and compassionate patient experience.