ACEP Frontline

On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Dr. Ryan Stanton sits down with political analyst and publisher of Inside Elections, Nathan Gonzales, for a timely discussion on the current political landscape in Washington, DC, and what it means for healthcare and emergency medicine. Recorded during ACEP’s Leadership and Advocacy Conference, the conversation explores the aftermath of recent elections, the shifting balance of power on Capitol Hill, and the key issues driving decision-making in Congress and the administration. Gonzales provides insight into the political environment, the challenges facing lawmakers, and the factors that will shape upcoming election cycles. The discussion also highlights what physicians and healthcare advocates should expect moving forward, offering valuable perspective on how the political climate influences healthcare policy, advocacy efforts, and the future of emergency medicine.
Mentioned in this episode:
ACEP26

From the halls of Holy Cross College and the Massachusetts ACEP Conference, ACEP Frontline talks with Dr. Lauren Westafer for a high-yield discussion on two of emergency medicine’s most impactful diagnoses: aortic dissection and pulmonary embolism. Dr. Westafer breaks down the evolving evidence behind D-dimer testing, including the 2026 practice-changing data and ACEP clinical policy updates supporting the use of the Aortic Dissection Detection Risk Score combined with D-dimer to help safely risk stratify select patients with suspected acute aortic syndromes. The conversation explores how this approach may reduce unnecessary advanced imaging while maintaining patient safety, along with practical pearls for identifying the patients who still warrant immediate CTA evaluation. The episode also reviews modern pulmonary embolism diagnosis and management, discussing risk stratification, and disposition decisions. It is a practical, evidence-based conversation focused on improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing over-testing, and delivering high-value emergency care.
Mentioned in this episode:
ACEP26

Recorded live at the ACEP Leadership and Advocacy Conference, this episode of ACEP Frontline features a timely conversation with Dr. Sean Michael, Regional Chief Medical Officer for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. As emergency departments across the country continue to face unprecedented crowding, prolonged boarding, staffing strain, and access challenges, Dr. Michael joins us to discuss how CMS is viewing the crisis and what potential policy “levers” may help address the growing nationwide problem. From hospital throughput and inpatient capacity to quality measures and accountability, we explore how federal policy could influence meaningful change for patients, physicians, hospitals, and the emergency care system as a whole.
Mentioned in this episode:
ACEP26

On this episode of ACEP Frontline, Ryan Stanton discusses the growing national conversation surrounding the corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) and Oregon’s landmark SB 951 legislation. Using the recent PeaceHealth news in Eugene as a backdrop, Dr. Stanton breaks down what CPOM means, why states are increasingly examining corporate influence in healthcare, and how Oregon lawmakers, led by Ben Bowman, crafted one of the strongest physician autonomy laws in the country. The episode explores the intent behind the legislation, including protecting independent medical judgment, preserving the physician-patient relationship, and limiting non-clinical interference in care decisions. Dr. Stanton also highlights the role of the Oregon Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and emergency physicians in shaping the discussion, while examining the broader implications these legislative efforts may have for emergency medicine, healthcare access, staffing models, and physician-led patient care nationwide.
Mentioned in this episode:
ACEP26

In this episode of ACEP Frontline, we sit down with Dr. David Carlberg to discuss eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), an increasingly recognized inflammatory condition of the esophagus that can present with food impactions, difficulty swallowing, chest discomfort, and chronic reflux-like symptoms. Dr. Carlberg breaks down the underlying causes of EoE, including the role of allergic and immune-mediated responses, while highlighting the importance of recognizing the condition in both pediatric and adult patients presenting to the emergency department. The conversation also explores diagnostic considerations and current management strategies ranging from dietary modifications and proton pump inhibitors to topical steroids and endoscopic interventions. The episode wraps with a reminder for emergency physicians to check out the ACEP POC Smart Phrase on EoE for practical bedside guidance and streamlined documentation support.
Supported by Sanofi.
Mentioned in this episode:
ACEP26