American Association for Respiratory Care

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Pre-Congress Courses

Monday, December 8

Maximize your attendance by registering for one of these pre-Congress courses. Congress attendees will receive a discount.

If you have already registered for Congress you can add one of the pre-courses at the discounted rate by either:

  • Completing the printable registration form and returning it with a note indicating that you are already registered for Congress
  • or
  • Calling Customer Service at 972-243-2272.
Available Courses

Pre-Course #1—Preparing for a Pandemic: The Strategic National Stockpile – Mechanical Ventilation Workshop

Course capacity is limited. Pre-registration required. Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2014, or when course is full. Approved for 3.25 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

Objectives: Pandemic events present multiple challenges to the health care environment and the ability of the respiratory therapist to provide mechanical ventilation to all persons in need. The Strategic National Stockpile is a repository of ventilators that would be used to supplement the supply currently in use by the nation’s acute care facilities. These ventilators can be requested and allocated to areas of need in the event of a pandemic.

This symposium is designed to provide the respiratory therapist with the information necessary to utilize the SNS ventilators during a pandemic in addition to an opportunity for hands-on experience with all three stockpiled ventilator types.

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC/Presiding

 

8:00 am–8:30 am

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Mass Respiratory Failure

Lewis Rubinson MD, Seattle WA

This session will focus on how a pandemic event will impact acute care facilities and the provision of mechanical ventilation. The respiratory therapist's role in these events will also be discussed.

 

8:35 am–9:05 am

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RT Roles in Mass Respiratory Failure

Ricahrd D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH

This session will concentrate specifically on the respiratory therapist's role in mass respiratory failure.

 

9:10 am–9:40 am

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SNS Stockpile: Ventilator Allocation, Storage and Maintenance

Eileen Malatino RN MS, Atlanta GA

This session will describe how SNS ventilators are requested and delivered. In addition, the presenter will discuss how the SNS ventilators are stored and maintained.

 

9:40 am–9:55 am

 

Break

 

9:55 am–10:25 am

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A Clinician's Perspective: The SNS Ventilators

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC

The Strategic National Stockpile consists of three specific mechanical ventilators. This session will discuss the capabilities of all three mechanical ventilators.

 

10:30 am–12:00 pm

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SNS Hands on Ventilator Training

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC

This session will provide the respiratory therapist with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with all three SNS ventilators.

Pre-Course #2—Current Practice of Mechanical Ventilation: A Case-Based Audience Interactive Session

Course capacity is limited. Pre-registration required. Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2014, or when course is full. Approved for 3.50 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

Objectives: Mechanical ventilation is arguably one of the most important clinical activities of respiratory therapists. Evidence is now clear that the approach to mechanical ventilation affects outcomes. The objective of this course is to review aspects of current best practices of mechanical ventilation. A case-based audience interactive approach will be used to emphasize important points.

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC and Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC/Co-Presiding

 

8:00 am–8:30 am

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Approaches To Noninvasive Ventilation

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with noninvasive ventilation. Included will be indications for noninvasive ventilation, selection of interface, selection of settings and dealing with adherence.

 

8:35 am–9:05 am

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Selection of Tidal Volume and Mode (VC Vs. PC)

Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS, Des Moines IA

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with selection of tidal volume in patients with and without lung disease. Also addressed will be the pros and cons of selecting volume control versus pressure control.

 

9:10 am–9:40 am

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PEEP and Auto-PEEP

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with PEEP selection in the patient with ARDS and auto-PEEP in the patient with obstructive lung disease.

 

9:40 am–9:55 am

 

Break

 

9:55 am–10:25 am

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Approaches To Asynchrony

Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with a mechanically ventilated patient who is asynchronous.

 

10:30 am–11:00 am

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Ventilation of the Patient With Obstructive Lung Disease

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with a patient with COPD exacerbation and auto-PEEP.

 

11:05 am–11:35 am

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How To Liberate the Patient From the Ventilator

Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC, Durham NC

This will be a case-based presentation dealing with ventilator liberation (weaning).

 

11:40 am–12:00 pm

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Panel Discussion

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC
Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS
Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC

Q & A Session

Pre-Course #3—Pulmonary Function Testing

Course capacity is limited. Pre-registration required. Deadline: November 17, 2014, or when course is full. Approved for 2.58 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

Objectives: Pulmonary function testing is one of the cornerstones of the respiratory care profession. This course is designed to provide the respiratory care practitioner with a better understanding of four major areas of this testing. The presentations will be pertinent to those working in a pulmonary function laboratory on a regular basis as well as those who work there infrequently. Attendees will leave the course with a much better understanding of the many different parts that go into obtaining accurate test results from a patient.

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC/Presiding

 

1:00 pm–1:40 pm

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Spirometry

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC, Sellersville PA

Spirometry testing is the most basic of all pulmonary function tests. If performed correctly by both the patient and the person administering the test, it provides a tremendous amount of valuable information about the patient's airways. However, a lot goes into obtaining reliable data from the test. This lecture will review the steps necessary to obtain accurate data and will describe the problems and errors both large and small that must be overcome to ensure success!

 

1:45 pm–2:25 pm

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Lung Volume Testing

Jeff Haynes RRT RPFT, Nashua NH

Lung volume testing can be performed using several different methodologies. This lecture will look at the three most frequently utilized (body plethysmography, helium dilution and nitrogen washout) and provide attendees with specific steps necessary to obtain optimal results.

 

2:25 pm–2:40 pm

 

Break

 

2:40 pm–3:20 pm

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Diffusing Capacity

Jeff Haynes RRT RPFT

There are many factors that can affect a patient's diffusing capacity and, therefore, the results of a DLCO study performed in a PFT lab. This lecture will review the basics of a DLCO study and focus on the numerous factors that can adversely affect the results and how these factors can be minimized.

 

3:25 pm–4:00 pm

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Bronchial Challenge Testing

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC

Historically, bronchial challenge testing was performed using methacholine. However, in recent years, new types of bronchial challenge testing have appeared. This lecture will review the most popular forms of bronchial challenge testing and the pros and cons of each.

Pre-Course #4—ECMO: A Comprehensive Approach for Pediatric and Adult Practitioners

Course capacity is limited. Pre-registration required. Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2014, or when course is full. Approved for 3.25 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

Objectives: Extracorporeal life support, including ECMO, is being used at an increasing rate in the pediatric and adult populations. This course is designed to provide the respiratory care practitioner with a better understanding of this emerging technology. The presentations will be pertinent for those who care for ECMO patients as well as for those who transfer patients to an ECMO center. This state-of-the art, interactive course will provide a better understanding of this life-saving approach to refractory respiratory and/or cardiac failure for all who attend.

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC and Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC/Co-Presiding

 

1:00 pm–1:20 pm

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ECMO Past, Present and Future

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

The field of extracorporeal life support is changing faster than any other aspect of critical care. This presentation will review the current state of this life saving approach and set the stage for the remainder of this pre-Congress course.

 

1:25 pm–1:55 pm

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Increasing Use of VV ECMO: Evidence, Rationale and Vent Management

Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC, Durham NC

Venovenous ECMO for severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is being increasingly used. The rationale for this lung protective approach as well as considerations for optimal ventilator management will be discussed.

 

2:00 pm–2:25 pm

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Pediatric Cardiac ECLS: ECMO As a VAD

Ravi Thiagarajan MD MPH, Boston MA

Although many clinicians are focusing their attention on the increasing use of venovenous ECMO, cardiac ECMO continues to represent the majority of cases in many ECMO centers. This presentation will discuss the various approaches to the patient with refractory cardiac failure.

 

2:30 pm–3:00 pm

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Controversies in the Use of ECMO for Specialized Populations

Heidi J Dalton MD, Phoenix AZ

While the use of ECMO for refractory respiratory failure is becoming routine for many populations, there are several populations of patients which are generating significant controversy. Should ECMO be considered for pregnant women, trauma patients, those status post-bone marrow transplantation and patients with septic shock? This presentation will discuss the various aspects of this complex and emotionally charged controversy.

 

3:00 pm–3:15 pm

 

Break

 

3:15 pm–3:40 pm

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Technologic Advancements

Lee Williford RRT, Durham NC

The recent increase in the use of ECMO in the pediatric and adult populations has been facilitated by the rapid advancements in technology, including pump and cannula design. This presentation will provide an overview of the key technologic advancements in this life-saving approach.

 

3:45 pm–4:10 pm

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Blood Management: Anticoagulation and Transfusion Thresholds

Ravi Thiagarajan MD MPH

Despite decades of experience, there remains uncertainty as to the optimal approach to blood management for the ECMO patient. Controversy remains around anticoagulant management and transfusion thresholds. This presentation will overview the available data and offer thoughts for an optimal approach.

 

4:15 pm–4:40 pm

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Pushing the Limits: ECMO of the Future

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC

Although ECMO has changed dramatically over the past several years, the anticipation is that even more dramatic change is on the horizon. This presentation will discuss the moving field of extracorporeal life support, including ambulatory ECMO and the use of ECMO as a bridge to transplantation.

 

4:45 pm–5:00 pm

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Open Discussion

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC
Heidi J Dalton MD
Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC
Ravi Thiagarajan MD MPH
Lee Williford RRT

Pre-Course #5—Sleep & Wellness 2014

Course capacity is limited. Pre-registration required. Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2014, or when course is full. Approved for 6 hours of continuing education credits (CRCE). You must attend the entire course to receive CRCE credit; no partial credit will be awarded.

Objectives: This course is designed to increase the effectiveness of the Respiratory Therapist and Sleep Technologist in the Sleep Clinic.

Jeanette Robins BS RPSGT RST and Timothy R Myers MBA RRT-NPS FAARC /Co-Presiding

 

8:00 am–8:45 am

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The Role of the RRT/CRT/RPSGT in This Changing Health Care Environment

Todd J Swick MD, Houston TX

Sleep technologists and therapists need to take an active role as physician extenders in the clinic. Educating patients and families and improving the patient experience is a vital part of education required for daytime clinic employment. The presenter will discuss the role of the sleep technician and therapist and what they must do to maximize their value.

 

8:50 am–9:35 am

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Integrating the Sleep Technologist into the Clinic: The Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH)

Chad Ruoff MD, Redwood CA

New credentialing by the BRPT signals migration by the profession to better support sleep technologists and therapists in the clinic environment. The presenter will discuss the CCSH certification and what it means to sleep technologists and therapists.

 

9:35 am–9:50 am

 

Break

 

9:50 am–10:40 am

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DME and the Sleep Center: Assessment, Treatment, and Follow-up Care

Karen S Schell DHSc RRT-NPS RRT-SDS RPFT RPSGT AE-C CTTS, Emporia KS

Sleep technologists and therapists providing direct patient care must be competent at patient assessment, treatment plans, and follow-up care while setting patients up with sleep-related breathing devices. The presenter will discuss these and other DME-related responsibilities while working in a sleep center.

 

10:45 am–11:30 am

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Understanding the PSG and Scoring Reports

Cindy Olsen RPSGT, Sterling CO

Effective daytime sleep technologists and therapists should bridge the gap between scoring sleep records and increasing the level of information given to the sleep specialists. The presenter will discuss how clinic personnel can assist the physician in educating patients and their families on the results.

 

11:30 am–1:00 pm

 

Lunch - On Your Own

 

1:00 pm–1:40 pm

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New Methods for Identifying Narcolepsy in Clinic

Emmanuel Mignot MD PhD, Redwood City, CA

The diagnosis of narcolepsy is often missed in affected patients. This presentation will discuss how and why this happens and then highlight the newest available research to include early Sleep Onset Criteria as a diagnostic tool.

 

1:45 pm–2:30 pm

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Dental Devices: Educating Patients & Families About Options and Proper Use

Brad Eli MD, Encinitas CA

Dental devices are an emerging treatment option in treating the SDB patient. This presentation will discuss better understanding of dental device treatment options and opportunities to better educate patients for maximal therapeutic benefit.

 

2:35 pm–2:50 pm

 

Break

 

2:50 pm–3:30 pm

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HST: Procedures, Paperwork and Preliminary Interpretations

Amber Galer BS RRT, West Point UT

Home sleep testing (HST) provides invaluable information for the referring specialists. Sleep technologists and therapists must provide appropriate patient interface, preliminary diagnosis, reporting, and charting. This presentation will provide insight into these and other important components of HST.

 

3:30 pm–4:15 pm

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The Bi-Directional Relationship Between Sleep and Obesity

Chad Ruoff MD

This presentation will address the implications of obesity and discuss basic weight-loss strategies with patients.