Breakfast Symposia
Held in the morning at the Las Vegas Hilton, they are free of charge and approved for CRCE credits. The schedule below shows the companies hosting the symposia. Please note that the companies provided all topics, speakers, and descriptions, and they are fully responsible for information presented at these sessions. Attendance is limited, first-come, first-served.
Monday, December 6
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Presented by
Factors Influencing Ventilator Length of Stay—This session is full
Stuart Lowson BSc MBBs MRCP FRCA, Charlottesville VA
Explores the implications of patient ventilator dyssynchrony in the adult intensive care unit and the management necessary to provide lung protective ventilation while incorporating optimal spontaneous breathing parameters.
Objectives—Following this presentation the participant shall have an understanding of:
- Patient ventilator dyssynchrony and the clinical implications associated with management of the adult patient.
- Sedation management and optimization for lung protective ventilation.
- Evaluation of patients in preparation for spontaneous breathing trials and optimizing the opportunities of liberation from mechanical ventilation.
Vineet Bhandari, MD, DM, New Haven CT
Describes the data supporting the proposed benefits of synchronized ventilation in the premature infant.
Objectives—Following this presentation the participant shall have an understanding of:
- The implications of synchronized ventilatory support in neonates.
- Potential physiologic risks associated with dyssynchronous ventilation and the potential influence on outcomes.
- The use of ventilation modes designed to improve synchrony in the neonate.
Tuesday, December 7
6:00 am – 8:30 am
Navigating the Respiratory Care Pyramid of Care
David L Vines MHS RRT FAARC, Chicago IL
This program explores the Respiratory Pyramid of Care, five therapeutic levels that form the basis for effective, informed management of patients who require oxygen therapy and/or ventilatory support.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the levels of the Respiratory Pyramid of Care (POC) including:
- The signs and symptoms associated with each level
- Assessing the risk and benefit
- Describe the devices and therapy needed
- Identify the clinical findings for hypoxemia/ hypoxia and hypoventilation
- Explain current recommendations on endotracheal Intubation that may impact clinical decisions on the Pyramid of Care
Register for the Teleflex Symposium
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Presented by
Implementing an AATD Testing Program: A Manual for Respiratory Laboratories
Franck Rahaghi MD MHS FCCP, Weston FL
No CRCE offered. The session will introduce and launch the first practical manual for implementing an Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency testing program in the pulmonary function testing (PFT) lab. The goal of the PFT Manual is to increase AATD testing in the PFT lab by establishing a testing protocol and in turn diagnosing patients with Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) sooner and thereby improve patient care. This all-inclusive Manual will provide everything a PFT lab will need to set up a testing protocol in their lab. The session will include a review by the author of the Manual as well as an open Q&A forum.
Register for the Baxter Symposium by email
Wednesday, December 8
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Presented by
Respiratory Challenges in the ICU—This session is full
Patient Ventilator Asynchrony
Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH
Objectives—Following this presentation the participant shall have an understanding of:
- The relationship of patient ventilator interaction and duration of ventilation.
- The most common asynchrony events and describe methods for mitigation.
- The function, indications and limitations of Proportional Assist Ventilation (PAV).
Reviews and describes the data regarding the prevalence of patient ventilator asynchrony and its relationship to the duration of ventilatory support; the most common types and causes of asynchrony along with techniques for mitigation, including missed triggers, timing issues, and double triggering; traditional ventilatory support (pressure support and assist/control), including changes in rise time, level of support, and flow termination; PAV, including principle of operation, indications, and limitations; and the nuances of obtaining patient ventilator synchrony and avoiding asynchrony.
Clinical Challenges in Oxygenation Monitoring
Michael A Gentile RRT FAARC, Durham NC
Objectives—Following this presentation the participant shall have an understanding of:
- The basic method by which pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation.
- The two clinical situations associated with inaccurate measurement of pulse oxygen saturation.
- The importance of proper probe selection and placement in the critically ill patient.
This presentation is designed to familiarize the clinician with the basic operation and clinical application of pulse oximetry in a variety of challenging patient conditions. Further, the impact of proper sensor selection and application on data accuracy will be discussed.
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Presented by
Lung Expansion and Secretion Clearance
Michael J Hewitt RRT FAARC, Tampa FL
This program will review the impact of increased morbidity and mortality around the incidence of atelectatic and secretion based pulmonary complications, along with the associated financial stress these complications place on the healthcare system. Traditional approaches to treatment of these complications coupled with a challenge to alter the scope of care and treatment modalities in patients designated to be “at risk” for pulmonary complications will be explored and discussed.
Learning Objectives
- Be able to identify the impact of atelectasis and secretion issues on the patient, including LOS, increased morbidity and mortality
- Be able to identify more traditional methods for treating atelectasis and secretions
- Be able to recognize and appreciate the value of newer approaches to preventing/treating atelectasis and secretion issues
Register for the Hill-Rom Symposium by email
Important: Email your first and last name, credentials, facility, phone number, city, state, e-mail address, and either your license number, AARC member number, or last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, to AARCSymposium.HRC@hill-rom.com to register for this symposium.
Thursday, December 9
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Presented by
Practitioner’s Edge—The Role of the Respiratory Therapist in the Management of Asthma
Patrick J Dunne MEd RRT FAARC, Fullerton CA
Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Michael G Marcus MD, New York NY
In this program, current and important issues related to the treatment of patients with asthma are addressed. Even though there are established guidelines for the treatment of asthma, benchmarks for successful treatment are not being reached which leads to unnecessary personal, physical, emotional, economic, and public health consequences. Patients who are not appropriately treated in the hospital and outpatient settings are at risk for recurrent exacerbations and other life-threatening events. Despite existing management strategies and the availability of effective long-term preventative medications, many patients with asthma are not achieving and maintaining control of their asthma symptoms.
Practitioner's Edge is an innovative, interactive symposium that provides attendees with cutting-edge medical education in a peer-to-peer discussion setting. Practitioner's Edge provides the practicing healthcare provider with tools and education that may be utilized immediately in daily practice.
In this Practitioner’s Edge program, video testimonials will be utilized to illustrate clinically relevant examples of patients with asthma. Faculty panel members will work with the audience to identify optimal treatment strategies while discussing the latest scientific information with regard to asthma management. A multimedia presentation will be interspersed with interactive questions to further engage the audience and provide data for rigorous panel discussion.
Objectives—Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be better able to:
- Implement strategies, including use of pulmonary function testing, for the appropriate assessment of severity and control in patients with asthma
- Discuss the available treatment options for the care of patients with an exacerbation of asthma
- Implement treatment strategies that are intended to prevent recurrent exacerbations of asthma