Congress Schedule

Sherry Whiteman

8:00 am–6:00 pm

Sputum Bowl Preliminaries

Sherry Whiteman BHS RRT/Presiding

Teams from the AARC State Societies compete in the preliminary competitions. The top four teams will advance to the Finals on Monday evening, Nov. 9, along with the Student Sputum Bowl finalists.

Thomas J Kallstrom

8:30 am–10:55 am

Opening Session

Thomas J Kallstrom MBA RRT FAARC/Presiding

Patrick Reynolds

10:05 am–10:55 am

Keynote Address: Tobacco Wars—The Battle for a Smoke-free Society

Patrick Reynolds , Playa del Ray CA

Patrick Reynolds is a grandson of the tobacco company founder, R.J. Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds spoke out publicly against the tobacco industry before Congress in 1986 after the family's brands killed his father and eldest brother. Since then, he has campaigned against smoking and tobacco use, FDA regulation of e-cigarettes, and for state tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Mr. Reynolds keynoted the AARC's Congress in New Orleans in 1990. After 25 years, he is returning to celebrate our wins at reducing tobacco use. He'll outline the progress we've made, and discuss the vital work remaining to be done. He'll tell his very personal story of crossing over to the other side, and discuss what it was like growing up inside the RJ Reynolds tobacco family. His impassioned keynote will also address tobacco-cessation therapies and will remind RTs of their power to make a difference when they intervene with patients who continue to smoke. He'll offer an overview of tobacco control in the U.S. today, and outline the policies which have been proven to significantly reduce smoking rates among youth and adults. Mr. Reynolds will discuss the stunning rise of chewing tobacco and e-cigarette use among our young and what can be done now. He'll close his keynote with a promise that, "A society free of tobacco is coming. It's coming because of you."

Frank R Salvatore Jr

11:00 am–4:00 pm

Opening of Exhibit Hall

Frank R Salvatore Jr MBA RRT FAARC/Presiding

The 2015/2016 AARC President opens the Exhibit Hall. As the "Gold Standard" of all respiratory care meetings, AARC Congress 2015 presents to you all the manufacturers and suppliers in the industry. The Exhibit Hall offers attendees an opportunity to see, touch, and manipulate the latest technology in the field and have clinical conversations with manufacturer representatives. Don't miss this great opportunity!

Ira M Cheifetz

11:30 am–12:00 pm

Orientation for First-time Attendees

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

Are you a first-time attendee with unanswered questions about who to see, where to go, and what to expect from your first AARC Congress? If so, then attendance at this presentation is a MUST for you! This presentation provides first-time attendees with an overview of the entire AARC Congress and includes suggestions on how to maximize your time, not only at the educational session but also at the exhibits and peripheral activities as well.

11:40 am–4:55 pm

Student Seminar

Dean R Hess

11:40 am–12:15 pm

OMG! He Wrote My Textbook! Analyzing Mechanical Ventilator Graphics

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA

Analyzing mechanical ventilator graphics is dependent upon understanding the patient mode, breath type, and disease pathology, in addition to other factors. This presentation will discuss these factors as well as provide an interactive environment for students to practice analyzing mechanical ventilator graphics and understanding the patient condition.

Richard D Branson

12:20 pm–12:55 pm

How Do I Read a RESPIRATORY CARE Article?

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH

P-values, t-tests, and means, OH MY! Understanding journal articles can be difficult but vital to ensuring respiratory therapists deliver evidence-based care. Mr. Branson, RESPIRATORY CARE deputy editor, will discuss a systematic method to understanding an article in the profession's scientific journal.

Shawna L Strickland

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

What's the Fuss About CPGs?

Shawna L Strickland PhD RRT-NPS AE-C FAARC, Irving TX

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are instrumental in directing patient care to achieve the best outcomes. Dr. Strickland will discuss how the CPG can guide the RT in clinical decision-making.

Crystal L Dunlevy

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

What It Means To Be a Professional

Crystal L Dunlevy EdD RRT RCP, Columbus OH

This presentation will provide an overview of the profession of respiratory care to include its evolution, role, and value. Emphasis will be placed on the characteristics and traits of a professional and the critical importance of being involved and maintaining professional membership.

Cheryl A Hoerr

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Securing Employment: Marketing and Networking Yourself to that Dream Job

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC, Rolla MO

This presentation will provide an overview of the job search process to include developing the cover letter, resume, interview skills, and measures that will prepare one for meaningful and satisfying employment.

Dana Evans

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

How To Lose a Job Before You're Hired

Dana Evans MHA RRT-NPS, Chesterfield MO

You have just landed an interview for your dream job. You are nervous, excited, and really want to impress the hiring leader. Did you know you could lose the job before you even arrive at the interview? The presenter will discuss common mistakes and pitfalls of job seekers, including those that may cost you the position before you are hired.

Bill Galvin

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Acquiring Your Credential: Success on the Therapist Multiple-Choice Exam

Bill Galvin MSEd RRT CPFT AE-C FAARC, Gwynedd Valley PA

The presentation will address factors essential for success in the examination process. It will cover preparatory issues, what you will experience onsite, as well as test-taking strategies and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on the written component of the NBRC credentialing process.

Bill Galvin

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Acquiring Your Credential: Success on the Clinical Simulation Exam

Bill Galvin MSEd RRT CPFT AE-C FAARC, Gwynedd Valley PA

The presentation will serve as a sequel to the previous presentation and will address the factors essential for success on the Clinical Simulation Examination. It will cover such issues as exam content, structure, and unique strategies for progressing through a branching logic type of examination.

Terry Volsko

12:05 pm–12:35 pm

Presenting An OPEN FORUM Abstract

Terry Volsko MHHS RRT FAARC, Youngstown OH

This presentation will introduce the neophyte research presenter to the customs, roles, and experience of presenting an OPEN FORUM Session. The stages of an open forum presentation, including poster set-up, interacting with participants and moderators, presenting at the podium, and participating in moderated audience discussions will be addressed.

Garry W Kauffman

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Healthcare Business Acumen: 101 for New Leaders and a Refresher for Seasoned Managers

Garry W Kauffman MPA FACHE RRT FAARC, Winston-Salem NC
Content Category: Management

This presentation will review the concepts of revenue, expense, and assets with regard to the stakeholders in the delivery system and how the effective RT leader can demonstrate their value to their organization by understanding and applying this financial information critical to the success of a health care organization.

Ann M Wilson

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Respiratory Therapist’s Leading An Alpha 1 Screening Program

Ann M Wilson RRT RPFT, Etters PA

This presentation will share with participants the elements of developing an Alpha 1 screening program in a pulmonary lab.

Sarah M Varekojis

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Using the Evidence To Your and Your Patient’s Advantage

Sarah M Varekojis PhD RRT, Columbus OH

Using scientific evidence in your practice has benefits for both you and your patients. Becoming a good consumer of research will help the RT improve the care we give patients as well as help gain recognition and improve the impact of our profession. Getting started finding, reading, and understanding research can be challenging but is something that all RTs can incorporate into their practice.

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Life-threatening Asthma

Bruce K Rubin

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Identifying and Minimizing the Risk

Bruce K Rubin MD MEngr MBA FAARC, Richmond VA
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Despite improvements in medical care, severe asthma continues to threaten the lives of our patients. This presentation will provide insight into strategies to identify those pediatric patients at greatest risk and offer thoughts on how best to minimize the risk. Consideration will be given to novel strategies that may be on the horizon.

1:00 pm–2:15 pm

Professors' Rounds: Dueling Experts

Pro: Samir Jaber Neil MacIntyre

1:00 pm–2:15 pm

Neuromuscular Blockade Should Be Used in Every Patient with Severe ARDS

Pro: Samir Jaber MD PhD, Montpellier Cedex France
Neil MacIntyre MD FAARC, Durham NC

Several European trials and one meta-analysis reported lower mortality if neuromuscular blocking agents were used to control tidal volume and airway pressure for the first several days at the onset of ARDS. This presenter will detail and evaluate the data supporting this approach and justify expansion of this approach.

1:00 pm–2:55 pm

COPD Management: Taking Care of the Entire Patient

Brian W Carlin

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

COPD Management: Where We Stand in 2015 (Diagnosis, Drugs, and Devices)

Brian W Carlin MD FAARC, Pittsburgh PA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This session will focus on the recent updates in the diagnosis of COPD as well as the newer drugs and devices that are available for treatment.

Deb McGowan

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

Collaboratory - What Is That, and Why Is the Patient So Important?

Deb McGowan RN BSN ACM CHCP, Washington DC

Patients and health care leaders shoulder to shoulder? What happens? Readmission Collaboratory - what is that?

Claudia Vukovich

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Emerging Roles of RCPs: Evolution or Revolution?

Claudia Vukovich RCP RRT AE-C TTS CCM, Sacramento CA

Discussion of the emerging utilization of RCPs as educators, clinical coordinators, and case managers in chronic pulmonary disease management in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

1:00 pm–2:55 pm

Patient Safety

Kevin McQueen

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

First Do No Harm… Effective Tools for Monitoring Patients That Are Receiving Opioid Pain Medications

Kevin McQueen MHA RRT CM, Oceanside CA
Content Category: Patient Safety

As a former member of the San Diego Patient Safety Council this presenter will outline the journey the team went through as they created the latest evidence-based tool kit of best practices for monitoring respiratory status of patients receiving opioid pain medications outside of intensive care units.

Steven E Sittig

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

Patient Hand-off: Do You Hear What I Am Saying?

Steven E Sittig RRT-NPS FAARC, Hartford SD

Lack of adequate communication between medical caregivers has been recognized as a serious risk to patient safety. This lecture will cover aspects of patient hand-off process as well as how to improve communication between caregivers and thus improve patient safety.

Charles R Bishop

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Improving Teamwork and Patient Safety Through Simulation

Charles R Bishop BSRC RRT-NPS AE-C C-NPT, Wilmington NC
Content Category: Patient Safety

This presentation will take a look at how simulation can be used to improve teamwork, build unit cohesiveness, improve patient safety, and implement new team strategies.

1:00 pm–2:55 pm

Sleep and Your Heart

Peter Allen

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Cardiovascular Patients Sleep Diagnostics and Treatment

Peter Allen BSRC RRT-NPS-SDS RST RPSGT, Radnor PA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

A sleep disorders' focused review for lab managers and technicians regarding the care and handling of the cardiovascular patient. Many have additional underlying or associated conditions that make them high risk in the sleep lab. Situations with irregular EKG, medications, oxygen, 911, or the ER are all reviewed within this lecture via case histories.

Jessica Schweller

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

How to Sleep with a Broken Heart: Impact of Sleep-disordered Breathing on Cardiac Conditions

Jessica Schweller RRT RN MS CNP, Columbus OH

Sleep-disordered breathing can lead to many health complications, especially cardiac arrhythmias and potentially congestive heart failure. Attendees will learn when to refer for a sleep evaluation as well as the complexity of sleep-disordered breathing that comes along with cardiac disease.

Brian W Carlin

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Be Still My Beating Heart: How ECG Changes During Sleep Can Be Fatal

Brian W Carlin MD FAARC, Pittsburgh PA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

Presenter would discuss the ECG changes during sleep. Discussion will be held regarding what types of arrhythmias can be fatal and how to observe ECG changes to avoid negative outcomes during a sleep study.

1:00 pm–4:55 pm

Year in Review

Ira M Cheifetz

1:00 pm–1:35 pm

Pediatric ARDS

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

This lecture is an overview of recently published guidelines on the management of pediatric ARDS.

Heidi J Dalton

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

ECMO

Heidi J Dalton MD, Phoenix AZ

This lecture is an overview of important papers published in 2015 related to ECMO.

Richard D Branson

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Adult Mechanical Ventilation

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture is an overview of important papers published in 2015 related to invasive mechanical ventilation

Samir Jaber

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Noninvasive Ventilation

Samir Jaber MD PhD, Montpellier Cedex France
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture is an overview of important papers published in 2015 related to noninvasive ventilation.

Bruce K Rubin

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Asthma

Bruce K Rubin MD MEngr MBA FAARC, Richmond VA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture is an overview of important papers published in 2015 related to asthma.

Sherry E Courtney

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Neonatal Respiratory Care

Sherry E Courtney MD MS, Little Rock AR
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

This lecture is an overview of important papers published in 2015 related to neonatal respiratory care.

Peggy Watts

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

Be All You Can Be! A Professional Development Model

Peggy Watts MS RRT, St Louis MO

Professional development is an ongoing necessity in medical fields. Do you know what motivates therapists to continually grow as professionals? The speaker will present an innovative development model for RRTs to pursue growth and recognition. Successes, challenges, and improvement approaches will be shared.

Alex T Rotta

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

Pediatric HFOV in the Era of Protective Ventilation

Alex T Rotta MD FAACP FCCM, Cleveland OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation has been used for decades in children and neonates, but recent trials in adults with ARDS cast a doubt over its efficacy. This presentation discusses the applicability of the adult HFOV trials to children and the role of HFOV in the current era.

Curt Merriman

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

Spirometry

Curt Merriman BA RRT CPFT, Burnsville MN

This lecture will discuss basic measurements, reference values, repeatability and acceptability, and how to perform a quality procedure as well as calibration of the spirometer and patterns of abnormal results.

Jason Moury

1:40 pm–2:15 pm

COPD360 Social and Other Social Media Platforms

Jason Moury MPH RRT, Miami FL

In 2013 the COPD Foundation launched a social media platform to help close the gap in COPD patient communications. COPD360 Social is a Web-based social media platform that helps increase communications with patient and caregivers. This session will explore how a respiratory therapist can interact with patients in a new way through social media platforms.

Curt Merriman

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Lung Volume

Curt Merriman BA RRT CPFT, Burnsville MN

This lecture will discuss the measurement of lung volumes, repeatability, and acceptability and tips for maintaining good quality control.

2:20 pm–3:35 pm

Growing Our Young: Developing the Newly Hired Critical Care Therapist

Tony H Ruppert

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Designing the Optimal and Standardized Critical Care Orientation Model

Tony H Ruppert MS RRT-ACCS, York PA
Content Category: Education

This presentation will provide a comprehensive, optimal, and standardized model for orientation of new employees to the ICU and other critical care units. In addition, the economical, professional, and corporate benefits of effective training/orientation will be explained.

David L Vines

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Cultivating Confidence and Competence in the Newly Hired Critical Care Therapist

David L Vines MHS RRT FAARC, Glen Ellyn IL

RC programs provide extensive clinical education in the hectic and harried world of critical care. Despite these efforts, disparities remain in the educational acuity and abilities of recent graduates to function in such a fast-paced and demanding environment. This presentation will address methodologies and educational techniques to cultivate confidence and competence in the new graduate or newly hired novice critical care therapist.

2:20 pm–4:15 pm

To Breathe or Not To Breathe? Spontaneous Breathing in the Critically Ill Patient

Eddy Fan

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Spontaneous Breathing in the Patient With Acute Lung Injury

Eddy Fan MD, Toronto Canada
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture will discuss the physiological considerations regarding mechanically ventilated patients breathing spontaneously.

Thomas Piraino

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Pressure Support, Atrophy, and Asynchrony: What Every RT Should Know!

Thomas Piraino RRT, Hamilton Canada

This lecture will discuss the potential risk of delivering high levels of pressure support, including atrophy and asynchrony. There will be clinical case examples and tips for minimizing the risk.

Michael Gentile

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Volumetric Capnography: The Multi-use Bedside Measurement

Michael Gentile RRT FAARC, Durham NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture will discuss the many uses of volumetric capnography in the intensive care unit. It will focus on the calculation of dead-space fraction, optimizing PEEP, and using volumetric capnography during the weaning phase of mechanical ventilation.

2:20 pm–4:55 pm

Employee Engagement-The Key To Your Success As a Leader

Diane Oldfather

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

Planting the Seed: Education Strategies To Cultivate Engaged Students

Diane Oldfather MHEd RRT, Rolla MO

Before becoming practicing therapists, RT students are exposed to the health care field through their classroom and clinical experiences. Savvy educators must use these experiences to develop the traits of student engagement that will transfer into the workplace and ensure that these new therapists are assets to their organization.

Garry W Kauffman

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Shaking the Engagement Tree - Hiring Engaged Therapists

Garry W Kauffman MPA FACHE RRT FAARC, Winston-Salem NC
Content Category: Management

One of the keys to ensuring an engaged RT staff is to hire engaged applicants. But how can a hiring manager ensure that engaged candidates rise to the top of the list? This lecture will share tips, tricks, and techniques for enhancing employee engagement during the hiring and onboarding process.

Cheryl A Hoerr

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

No Low-hanging Fruit Allowed - Creating An Engaged Staff

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC, Rolla MO
Content Category: Management

Disengagement in the workplace is a costly and frustrating problem facing RT managers. Patient satisfaction, quality care, staff retention, and productivity have all been shown to be better in organizations with a higher percentage of engaged employees. This presentation will share some of the management actions that have been proven to promote and sustain therapist engagement.

Karen S Schell

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Cultivation and Sustainable Growth - Manager Engagement

Karen S Schell DHSc RRT-NPS RRT-SDS RPFT AE-C CTTS, Emporia KS
Content Category: Management

Before department managers can engage their staff, the managers themselves must be engaged with their organization and their own work. This presentation will share techniques for managers to increase their own engagement and, in doing so, provide a role model for success to their staff.

2:20 pm–4:55 pm

How Do I? - Evidence-based Practice

Brian K Walsh

2:20 pm–2:55 pm

How Do I Choose NIV Vs. Intubation?

Brian K Walsh MBA RRT-NPS FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

The use of noninvasive ventilation is increasing at a rapid rate in pediatrics. However, there are not generally accepted criteria to initiate NIV or to identify failure requiring intubation. This presentation will review the available literature and offer thoughts from an expert in the field.

Ira M Cheifetz

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

How Do I Set the Ventilator?

Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

Despite the growing literature in the adult population regarding an optimal approach to mechanical ventilation, there remains a shortage of data in pediatrics. This presentation will review the recommendations from the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference and offer thoughts from an expert in the field.

Heidi J Dalton

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

How Do I Decide When To Move Beyond Conventional Ventilation?

Heidi J Dalton MD, Phoenix AZ

What do you do when a patient fails conventional ventilation? What adjuncts are supported by the literature? What is the optimal timing for transition from conventional ventilation to alternate approaches, including extracorporeal life support (such as ECMO)? This presentation will review the available literature and offer thoughts from an expert in the field.

Alex T Rotta

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

How Do I Sedate My Ventilated Patient?

Alex T Rotta MD FAACP FCCM, Cleveland OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Despite advances in mechanical ventilation, the optimal approach to sedation management remains uncertain. However, it is well known that excessive sedation translates to a prolonged course of mechanical ventilation. An expert in the field will review the available literature and provide a rational approach to the optimal sedation management of infants and children with the goal of minimizing ventilation.

Paul Selecky

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Understanding End-of-Life Issues in the Chronic Respiratory Patient

Paul Selecky MD FAARC FCCP, Newport Beach CA

Palliative care seeks to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses. It is vital that the respiratory therapist understand a broader range of implications on quality of life than just physiologic issues. This presentation will define palliative care and discuss the emotional, spiritual, psychological, and social impact of chronic respiratory diseases.

Ernestine Wigler

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Empowering the Respiratory Care Practitioner To Be Physician Extenders in Sleep Medicine - Who Benefits?

Ernestine Wigler RRT RC, Fontana CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

What is the smartest, most efficient way to survive and thrive in today's health care system? Invest in the performance, development, and engagement of your existing employees, especially the respiratory care practitioner. Quality patient care requires skilled practitioners committed to ongoing education and development.

3:00 pm–4:55 pm

Dyspnea and the Evaluation for Upper Airway Disorders

Michael J Morris

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Dyspnea and Upper Airway Disorders in Adults

Michael J Morris MD MACP FCCP, Fort Sam Houston TX
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

This presentation will discuss the role of the respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technician in evaluating dyspnea in the adult patient with a specific focus on identifying upper airway abnormalities in this population.

Steven Boas

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Dyspnea and Upper Airway Disorders in the Pediatric Population

Steven Boas MD, Glenview IL
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

This presentation will further discuss the role of the respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technician in evaluating pediatric patients during both acute and chronic presentations of dyspnea with a specific focus on the role of the upper airway

Kent L Christopher

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Vocal Cord Dysfunction and Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction

Kent L Christopher MD RRT FAARC, Aurora CO
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

This presentation will specifically focus on inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), more commonly known as VCD or PVFM, and how the respiratory therapist and pulmonary function technician play an integral role in identifying and documenting these disorders.

3:00 pm–4:55 pm

Reducing Risk & Improving Patient Safety During Transport

Robert Aranson

3:00 pm–3:35 pm

Medical-Legal Pitfalls of Interhospital Transports

Robert Aranson MD FCCP, Tucson AZ

Interhospital transports are one of the greatest medical-legal risks to clinicians. This expert in the field will review the current state, discuss the highest risk aspects of interhospital transports, and explore approaches to minimize risk.

Jennifer L Watts

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Patient Safety on Transport - On Your Mark, Get Set… Stop?

Jennifer L Watts RRT-NPS C-NPT, Oak Lawn IL
Content Category: Patient Safety

The safety of our patients should always be the highest priority of the health care professional, but this priority is not limited to the hospital setting alone. Patient safety begins the moment we assume care from a referring hospital prior to physically moving the patient. Be it from the back of an ambulance or up in the clouds, we must always adhere to the highest standard of patient safety.

Alex J Brendel

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Addressing Special Needs of Neonatal-Pediatric Intra-hospital Transfers

Alex J Brendel RRT-NPS MBA, Roanoke VA

Neonatal and pediatric patients have special needs that must be addressed to reduce the risks involved with transports within a facility. This lecture will describe those specific needs as well as policies and procedures designed to address them.

3:15 pm–5:10 pm

Open Forum #1 Aerosols/Drugs

3:15 pm–5:10 pm

Open Forum #2 Ventilators/Ventilation - Part 1

Lorraine Bertuola

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Terminal Mechanical Ventilator Weaning and the RT

Lorraine Bertuola BA RRT, Townson MD
Content Category: Ethics and Law

The withdrawal of mechanical ventilation at the end of life is a difficult aspect of providing respiratory care. This presentation will define the concept of terminal weaning and discuss indications, ethical challenges, and patient/family support needed for terminal ventilator weaning in the long-term care environment.

Robert McCoy

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Monitoring Patients in Their Home; Preventing Problems with Timely Intervention

Robert McCoy RRT, Apple Valley MN
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Many patients have symptoms suggestive of the onset of an exacerbation before the acute episode. Monitoring a patient for key indicators in their home may allow a clinician to intervene before respiratory failure manifests, requiring emergency intervention. This lecture will discuss methods and devices for home monitoring.

3:40 pm–4:55 pm

Automated Control of Ventilation

Brian W Carlin

3:40 pm–4:15 pm

Automated Control of CPAP and NIV for Sleep-disordered Breathing

Brian W Carlin MD FAARC, Pittsburgh PA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

This lecture will address the role of devices for automated control of CPAP and NIV for sleep-disordered breathing.

Richard D Branson

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Automated Control of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

This lecture will address aspects of automated control of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Russell Acevedo

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Step-wise Approach To Acid-base Determination

Russell Acevedo MD FAARC, Syracuse NY

How to get the most "bang for your buck" from blood gases and electrolyte panels! In a step-wise fashion, how to extract as much information as possible from these tests will be reviewed and tips on finding all the acid-base disturbances will be presented. No lists! We explore the steps before looking up the causes. If you don't know the disturbances are there, what good are the lists?

Cherise Wilson

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Ebola - Preparing Your Department for the Unexpected

Cherise Wilson RRT, Gainesville VA
Content Category: Bioterrorism/Emergency Preparedness

Is your hospital prepared to care for a patient with Ebola? Have the respiratory therapists in your department received appropriate Ebola readiness training? This presentation will provide a review of this deadly disease, current best practices for preventing transmission, and suggestions for ensuring proper personal protective equipment training of staff.

Robert McCoy

4:20 pm–4:55 pm

Using Intermittent Flow Oxygen Delivery with Sleeping Patients; Issues and Answers

Robert McCoy RRT, Apple Valley MN
Content Category: Clinical Practice

The use of intermittent flow oxygen is controversial due to the lack of evidence regarding effectiveness. Portable oxygen concentrators have become a popular option for travel oxygen, which means a patient will need to sleep on the device if that is the only option while away from home. This lecture will discuss the research and options to use intermittent flow for patients during sleep.

Frank R Salvatore Jr

7:30 am–8:30 am

AARC Annual Business Meeting

Frank R Salvatore Jr MBA RRT FAARC/Presiding

The official Annual Business Meeting of the AARC's. 2016 AARC Officers, Board of Directors, and Officers from the House of Delegates are installed. Reports from AARC leadership are presented. The meeting concludes with an address from 2015/2016 AARC President, Frank Salvatore.

Sherry Whiteman

8:00 am–6:00 pm

Sputum Bowl Preliminaries

Sherry Whiteman BHS RRT/Presiding

Teams from the AARC State Societies compete in the preliminary competitions. The top four teams will advance to the Finals on Monday evening, Nov. 9, along with the Student Sputum Bowl finalists.

8:40 am–9:30 am

3rd Annual Thomas L Petty Memorial Lecture

Dale Needham

8:40 am–9:30 am

Surviving the ICU: Taking a Step Back Into the Future

Dale Needham MD PhD, Baltimore MD

During World War II, ambulating hospitalized patients was the norm. Today? Not so much. While ambulating the ICU and mechanically ventilated patient has grown in popularity in recent years, far too often, hospitals still rely on deep sedation and extended bed rest for the critically ill patient. In this presentation, Dr. Needham will discuss the science behind why this approach may be detrimental to patient outcomes, including extended use of mechanical ventilation and longer ICU length of stay. Seventy-five years ago, it was an accepted premise that getting soldiers back on the battlefield started with early ambulation from their injuries. Attend this lecture and take a step back into the future as Dr. Needham discusses how this old approach can be applied to contemporary medicine - even with the mechanically ventilated patient.

Natalie Napolitano

9:35 am–10:05 am

Neonatal-Pediatrics Section Membership Meeting

Natalie Napolitano MPH RRT-NPS FAARC/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Kimberly S Wiles

10:00 am–10:25 am

Home Care Section Membership Meeting

Kimberly S Wiles RRT CPFT/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and to participate.

10:00 am–11:55 am

Open Forum #3 Management

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

10:00 am–11:55 am

Open Forum #4 Neonatal/Pediatric

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Laura Hartman Garry W Kauffman

10:30 am–11:05 am

Why Take the Stairs When You Can Take the Elevator? Succession Planning and Building Your Own Career Ladder

Laura Hartman RRT-NPS, St Petersburg FL
Garry W Kauffman MPA FACHE RRT FAARC, Winston-Salem NC

Increasingly, seasoned leaders are leaving management positions. A knowledge and experience gap will exist if current leaders do not intentionally plan for their successors. This two-part lecture is for seasoned managers interested in creating opportunities for their staff and for younger leaders in positions where no succession plan exists.

Kimberly S Wiles

10:30 am–11:05 am

Transitioning the RT: Home Care Competency and Education

Kimberly S Wiles RRT CPFT, Ford City PA

Respiratory therapists transitioning from acute care to the home care setting have limited experience in the home and typically do not have a significant orientation period. This session will discuss home care competencies for respiratory therapists, the development process, and how those competencies impact a proposed curriculum to transition acute care RTs to home care RTs.

Howard Stein Sherry E Courtney

10:30 am–11:45 am

Clinical Controversies in Neonatal Critical Care - Novel Modes of Conventional Ventilation Improve Outcomes

Howard Stein MD, Toledo OH
Sherry E Courtney MD MS, Little Rock AR
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Novel modes of conventional ventilation, such as NAVA, have been designed to promote patient-ventilator synchrony. Despite the use of these modes for some time and the increasing quantity of data, controversy regarding their applicability and effect on patient outcome continues. In this debate, two respected neonatologists will square off to highlight the pros and cons of novel modes of ventilation with a focus on patient outcomes.

10:30 am–11:45 am

Decision Making for Extracorporeal Life Support

Thomas Piraino

10:30 am–11:05 am

Managing ARDS and When To Consider Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS)

Thomas Piraino RRT, Hamilton Canada

This lecture will encourage critical thinking for managing ARDS patients by presenting various techniques and observations that can be done at the bedside to determine lung severity and help guide the decision whether to use ECLS.

Eddy Fan

11:10 am–11:45 am

Extracorporeal Life Support to Facilitate Lung Protective Ventilation

Eddy Fan MD, Toronto Canada
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

The lecture will review the importance of lung protective ventilation and describe the role ECLS has in protecting the lung.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Interpretation of Ventilator Graphics: Do We Really Understa

Ruben D Restrepo

10:30 am–11:05 am

Ventilator Waveforms 101: An Interactive Session

Ruben D Restrepo MD RRT FAARC, San Antonio TX

Recognizing how ventilator waveforms are displayed is critical to understand patient-ventilator interactions and to optimize the management of patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. This interactive presentation will use audience response and is designed to explain the foundational concepts behind every graphic displayed on the ventilator screen.

Jonathan Waugh

11:10 am–11:45 am

Understanding Patient-Ventilator Interaction: The Importance of Identifying Dyssychrony

Jonathan Waugh PhD RRT FAARC, Birmingham AL
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Patient-ventilator dyssynchrony (PVD) is one of the most common unrecognized events in the ICU. Its recognition and management are important to make meaningful positive change in patient outcomes.

Neil R MacIntyre

11:50 am–12:25 pm

How Can I Use Waveforms To Optimize the Management of Patients with ARDS?

Neil R MacIntyre MD FAARC, Durham NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Consistent vigilance of the patient-ventilator interaction plays an important role in the management of patients with ARDS. Ventilator waveforms often display response to ventilator changes and patient status beyond what clinicians suspect.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Symposium:Improving Quality in the Pulmonary Function Lab

Ann M Wilson

10:30 am–11:05 am

Eliminating Waste within a Preventative Maintenance and BioQC Program: A Lean Approach

Ann M Wilson RRT RPFT, Etters PA

This presentation will give an overview of how to use lean strategies to improve a BioQC and preventative maintenance program for a diagnostic pulmonary lab.

Jeff Haynes

11:10 am–11:45 am

The Strengths and Limitations of Computerized Grading of Spirometry Quality

Jeff Haynes RRT RPFT, Nashua NH

Modern spirometers are equipped with software that grade spirometry quality and provide feedback to clinicians. This lecture will review the strengths and limitations of computerized spirometry grading and examine its clinical impact on data collection and reporting.

Susan Blonshine

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Instrument Variability in the PF Laboratory: What Can Be Controlled?

Susan Blonshine RRT RPFT AE-C FAARC, Mason MI
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

Understanding, evaluating, and controlling instrument variability in the pulmonary function laboratory is an essential skill to improve the accuracy and precision of the measurements. The presentation will outline the steps to developing a robust quality assurance plan for the PF lab.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Pulmonary Rehab

Charley P Starnes

10:30 am–11:05 am

Pulmonary Rehab 101

Charley P Starnes RRT RCP, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Ever wondered what pulmonary rehab is all about? This presentation will touch on the basics of a pulmonary rehabilitation program and how it can improve your patient's quality of life.

Trina M Limberg

11:10 am–11:45 am

What Does It Take To Expand Services Beyond Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Trina M Limberg RRT FAARC FAACVPR, San Diego CA

Presenter will share valuable information on how to expand services utilizing skilled pulmonary rehabilitation clinicians in acute care areas and other outpatient specialties such as neuromuscular and COPD clinics for patient assessment, education and intervention.

Deborah Bennett

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Pulmonary Rehabilitation's Role in Confronting End-of-Life Issue

Deborah Bennett RRT, St Louis MO
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Chronic lung patients may have end-of-life concerns that go unaddressed. Pulmonary rehab is an ideal environment to explore this topic since family and friends often avoid discussing such issues. Therapists should be ready to provide end-of-life support and information for their patients. See how one program equipped its therapists to deliver an education around these sensitive subjects.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Asthma Management

10:30 am–11:05 am

Carrying the Weight on Your Lungs: The Effects of Obesity on Asthma

Kathleen Ververeli MD, Allentown PA

This lecture will focus on obesity and its association with the development, severity, and treatment of asthma.

Cheryl Skinner

11:10 am–11:45 am

Telemedicine for Improving Asthma Management

Cheryl Skinner BS RRT CPFT, Marysville KS

Even with the current guidelines, management and control of asthma is unsatisfactory. Interventions to improve adherence to asthma guidelines must address improved changes at the clinician and patient levels in order to impact asthma control. This presentation will discuss how telemedicine can be used by clinicians and patients to improve asthma control.

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Let the Sun Shine In: The Impact of Vitamin D on Asthma, Allergy, and the Immune System

Kathleen Ververeli MD, Allentown PA

This lecture will discuss the role of Vitamin D in the development of the immune system through describing its functions on a molecular basis. In addition, the lecture will discuss the evidence supporting the association of vitamin D deficiency with increased risk and severity of infections, asthma, and allergies.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Pharmacology of Airway Management

Thomas M Fuhrman

10:30 am–11:05 am

Sedatives and Analgesic Agents Commonly Used During Out of OR Intubations

Thomas M Fuhrman MD MMSC FCCP FCCM RRT, Miami FL

The discussion will highlight how sedatives and analgesics can be used to facilitate an intubation, to protect the patient from hemodynamic instability, and to minimize both physical and mental discomfort for the patient.

11:10 am–11:45 am

The Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in Airway Management

Dubravka Jovanovic MD, Bay Pines FL
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

A discussion of the various neuromuscular blocking agents commonly used to facilitate intubations.

Arthur Tokarczyk

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Case Presentations: Pharmacology of Airway Management

Arthur Tokarczyk MD FCCP, Winnetka IL
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

The discussion will include a number of case studies featuring aspects presented in the previous two airway management lectures.

Sarah M Varekojis

11:10 am–11:45 am

Is It Working? Does It Make a Difference? Is It Worth It? Measuring Outcomes

Sarah M Varekojis PhD RRT, Columbus OH

With the implementation of health care reform initiatives, health care systems are being held accountable for their outcomes. RT roles are also evolving and expanding to include disease management and other areas of advanced practice. Measuring meaningful outcomes is one way to demonstrate benefit to the institution and the patient and/or family, and to demonstrate the value of expanding RT roles.

Jason Beasley

11:10 am–11:45 am

Oxygen Therapy: A Quest To Understand Medicare's Home Oxygen Order, Testing, and Documentation Requirements

Jason Beasley RRT, Brentwood TN

Prescribing or referring a Medicare patient for home oxygen has become an arduous task. This session will provide an overview of Medicare's required order, testing, and documentation requirements needed to set up a patient on home oxygen.

Laura Hartman Garry W Kauffman

11:50 am–12:25 pm

I Have Neckties Older Than My New Manager - Advice for Younger Managers

Laura Hartman RRT-NPS, St Petersburg FL
Garry W Kauffman MPA FACHE RRT FAARC, Winston-Salem NC
Content Category: Management

Over the past decade, a change in the workforce has created a new type of generation gap in which younger leaders are attaining leadership positions in higher numbers than have been witnessed previously. While there are a host of presentations advising seasoned leaders how to deal effectively with subordinates of the various generations, little has been communicated on the reverse scenario.

Jonathan Fanaroff

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Legal and Ethical Implications At the Limit of Viability

Jonathan Fanaroff MD, Cleveland OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

What is the lower limit of viability? Who decides? How does one decide? Although the questions seem to outnumber the answers, this intriguing session will offer thoughts and perspective from one of the true experts in the field. Attend this session to better understand the legal and ethical implications at the limit of viability.

Shawna L Strickland

11:50 am–12:25 pm

ECMO & Ethics

Shawna L Strickland PhD RRT-NPS AE-C FAARC, Irving TX
Content Category: Ethics and Law

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in the adult and pediatric population has been beneficial to bridge critically ill patients to recovery. However, there are many ethical issues encountered along the trajectory of care that must be considered. This presentation will discuss ethical issues at the time of ECMO initiation, perceptions of success, and transitioning the patient from ECMO when prognosis is nil.

Angela King

11:50 am–12:25 pm

What Goes Wrong in Home Care?

Angela King RRT-NPS, Leo IN

What goes wrong in home care? This presentation reviews data from the FDA and other sources to learn how and why patients unexpectedly die or are injured in home care. Ventilator malfunctions, setting errors, fires, oxygen mishaps all can be causes of patient deaths. Learn things you can do to help ensure your patient's safety.

12:30 pm–2:25 pm

Open Forum #5 Asthma/Pulmonary Disease

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

12:30 pm–2:25 pm

Open Forum #6 Airways Care

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Katrina Hynes

12:30 pm–1:00 pm

Diagnostic Section Membership Meeting

Katrina Hynes RRT CPFT/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

12:45 pm–5:00 pm

Noninvasive Support for Acute Respiratory Failure

Carl R Hinkson

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation: Can and Should It Be Used Outside of the Critical Care Areas for COPD and CHF?

Carl R Hinkson MS RRT-ACCS NPS FAARC, Seattle WA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture will discuss the current literature regarding the use of NIPPV in acute respiratory failure with COPD and congestive heart failure. We will also discuss the use of NIPPV with these patients in areas outside of the critical care unit.

Brady Scott

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) in Patients Other Than CHF and COPD

Brady Scott MS RRT-ACCS, Chicago IL
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This lecture will discuss the use of NIPPV in those patients where there may be some controversy, such as ARDS patients, immunocompromised patients, palliative-care patients, and others.

Keith Lamb Carl Hinkson Brady Scott

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Three Minds Are Better Than One

Keith Lamb BS RRT-ACCS
Carl Hinkson MS RRT-ACCS NPS FAARC, Seattle, WA
Brady Scott MS RRT-ACCS, Chicago, IL

Following the conclusion of the 2nd lecture in this symposium, stick around to participate in an interactive audience and panel discussion to converse more about non-invasive ventilation…from the evidence-based literature to its more controversial uses. The moderator will solicit audience feedback during the 1st two presentations and use that information to guide the discussion. Use of PollEverywhere audience interactive technology will also be incorporated into this session.

Lorraine Bertuola

1:00 pm–1:30 pm

Long-Term Care Section Membership Meeting

Lorraine Bertuola BA RRT / Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

1:45 pm–4:20 pm

The RT and Physician Partnership in Patient-centric Care Across the Continuum: Acute Care to Home

Kent L Christopher

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Coordinated Care and Maximizing Outcomes

Kent L Christopher MD RRT FAARC, Aurora CO
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This presentation will provide a foundation for the respiratory therapist's knowledge of patient-centric care implemented with a collaborative care model and how coordination and continuity of care impact patient outcomes and health care costs. The RT and physician partnership across the continuum should set an ultimate goal for patient empowerment for home self-care with RT and physician support.

Russell Acevedo Robert Pikarsky

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Coordinating Patient-centered Care in the Acute Care Setting

Russell Acevedo MD FAARC, Syracuse NY
Robert Pikarsky RRT, Syracuse NY
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This session will discuss continuity and coordination of care within the acute care setting. The presenters will identify situations that commonly cause disruption in patient-centric care in this environment as they navigate a patient toward assessment and preparation for appropriate discharge to downstream sites of care.

Eric S Yaeger Dorene M. Siegwarth

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Coordinating Patient-centric Care in the Long-term Acute Care and Post-acute Transitional Settings

Eric S Yaeger MD, Denver CO
Dorene M. Siegwarth RRT-ACCS, Brighton Co

This session will discuss continuity and coordination of care within the long-term acute care hospital and post-acute transitional settings. The presenters will identify situations that commonly cause disruption in patient-centric care in this environment as they navigate a patient toward assessment and preparation for discharge home.

Kent L Christopher Kimberly S Wiles

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Coordinating Patient-centric Care in the Home

Kent L Christopher MD RRT FAARC, Aurora CO
Kimberly S Wiles RRT CPFT, Ford City PA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This session discusses the importance of communication and collaboration with the physician and RT from the discharging institution, which helps position the patient and caregivers for favorable home outcomes. Continuity and coordination of care in the home care setting are stressed. The presenters will identify situations that commonly cause disruption in patient-centered care in this environment.

1:45 pm–5:00 pm

AARC's 31st New Horizons in Respiratory Care Symposium - Monitoring

Dean R Hess

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Pulse Oximetry - Beyond SpO2

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will cover recent embellishments in pulse oximetry such as measurements of carboxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, hemoglobin, and perfusion.

Mark Siobal

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Volumetric Capnography and VD/VT

Mark Siobal BS RRT-ACCS FAARC, San Francisco CA

This lecture will cover current aspects of volumetric capnography; it will contrast time-based and volume-based capnography. It will also include a discussion of the clinical use of dead space measurements.

Samir Jaber

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Ultrasound To Evaluate the Lungs and Diaphragm

Samir Jaber MD PhD, Montpellier Cedex France
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will describe the use of ultrasound to assess lung function and diaphragm function.

Brian K Walsh

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Electrical Impedance Tomography

Brian K Walsh MBA RRT-NPS FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will describe the use of electrical impedance tomography as a lung imagining technique.

Lori Conklin

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Monitoring During Procedural Sedation

Lori Conklin MD, Charlottesville VA

This lecture will address the appropriate role of monitoring during procedural sedation.

1:45 pm–3:00 pm

Humidified High-flow Nasal Cannula Therapy: The Science & Application

Julie Jackson

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Humidified High-flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC): Fad or Serious Management Strategy?

Julie Jackson BAS RRT-ACCS, Des Moines, IA

HHFNC has become a popular tool in the support of acute respiratory failure. This lecture will discuss the current literature supporting its use and whether or not the strategy is here to stay.

Julie Jackson

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Humidified High-flow Nasal Cannula: A Case Report and One Large Tertiary Centers Experience

Julie Jackson BAS RRT-ACCS

This lecture will discuss a case report where HHFNC was successfully utilized in a patient with acute respiratory failure. We also will discuss other experiences within a large tertiary medical center and our own internal analysis of this therapy.

Darnetta Clinkscale

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Productivity Consultants - You're Thinking "Oh Shift"… Now Shift Your Thinking

Darnetta Clinkscale MBA RRT, St Louis MO

Standing on a burning platform, hospitals are increasingly using consultants. Speaker will explain how to absorb this work, the need for it, and its proposals, advantages, and limitations. You will learn the attitude, how to gauge your operation, and how to bridge the gap - and go beyond - as you hold on to quality and safety.

Jack Wanger

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Proper Billing Procedures in the Pulmonary Function Lab

Jack Wanger MS RRT RPFT FAARC, Rochester MN
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

The codes utilized for billing pulmonary diagnostics procedures change nearly every year. These changes can include the deletion of existing codes or the creation of new codes. Other times, changes are made in what must be performed in order to use a specific code.

Cynthia Knoche

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Step Up To the Plate: RTs on the ALS Multidisciplinary Team

Cynthia Knoche RRT BBA, Ponte Vedra Beach FL
Content Category: Clinical Practice

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) patients rely on the expertise of both the clinic and home care therapist to evaluate, recommend, and manage their complex and ever-changing ventilation requirements. Collaboration with multidisciplinary team members and between clinic and home care therapists maximize patients' quality of life and ultimate ventilation goals.

John D Davies

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Patient-Ventilator Interactions: Making the Ventilator "Cooperate" with the Patient

John D Davies RRT MA FAARC, Durham NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Synchrony between the patient and ventilator should be of utmost importance. Graphical interfaces are much more advanced today, and they give clinicians a valuable tool to guide breath delivery in an effective and comfortable manner.

Amber Galer

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Why Providing Sleep Services Has Turned Into a Nightmare

Amber Galer BS RRT, West Point UT

Presenter will discuss how sleep centers nationwide are dealing with the shift in staffing and reduction of reimbursement while still trying to provide sleep disorders testing to the increasing number of patients requiring polysomnography and sleep testing.

Chani Traube Ira M Cheifetz

1:45 pm–3:00 pm

Pediatric Diagnostic Dilemmas

Chani Traube MD, New York NY
Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

Can you make the diagnosis? Two experts in the field will present a variety of common and uncommon pediatric respiratory disorders. Attend this interactive, educational, and fun session to test your diagnostic skills.

Richard M Ford

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Beyond the Numbers - Making a Difference in Managing COPD

Richard M Ford RRT FAARC, San Diego CA
Content Category: Management

There is little doubt that the ACA brings new opportunity for respiratory practitioners to play a valued role in COPD disease management. How do you structure a program to better serve this patient population? How do you convince hospital administration to invest in you and your staff? Attend this program to find out how to best position practitioners for success.

Jack Wanger

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Inhalation Challenges, Are They Really That Challenging? The Methacholine Challenge Test

Jack Wanger MS RRT RPFT FAARC, Rochester MN
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

There are a number of inhalation challenge agents used to assess airway responsiveness including: methacholine, mannitol, hypertonic saline, and specific antigens. Of these, methacholine is the most widely used. The latest information and recommendations on performing the methacholine test will be presented.

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Development of Respiratory Services in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Claire A Aloan MS RRT-NPS FAARC, Tully NY

With the growing trend to care for patients in the least acute environment, skilled nursing facilities have become increasingly important settings for care of patients with respiratory disorders. This program will describe the types of services that can be offered in the SNF setting and will review different mechanisms for their implementation.

Jessica Schweller

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

How To Sleep in the ICU

Jessica Schweller RRT RN MS CNP, Columbus OH
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

How much sleep do patients actually get in the ICU? Are we doing more harm than good? This lecture will explore the changes in sleep architecture of patients in the ICU and how this impacts their healing process.

2:25 pm–5:00 pm

Tobacco Cessation

Sarah M Varekojis

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

The RT's Role in Ending Tobacco Use

Sarah M Varekojis PhD RRT, Columbus OH

RTs specialize in the treatment of tobacco-related disease, and we should also specialize in understanding and treating the cause. We need to be comfortable and confident in our ability to provide smoking-cessation advice to patients and families. This presentation will provide valuable information to develop value-added skills for RTs to use at the bedside.

Krystal Craddock

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Bedside Smoking-cessation Counseling: Does It Work?

Krystal Craddock RCP RRT-NPS, Sacramento CA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

We are often asked to provide smoking-cessation counseling to our hospitalized patients who currently smoke, but are our efforts successful? Learn how smoking-cessation counseling does work during the patient's admission. This is an opportunity for RTs with little training in smoking-cessation counseling to learn what tools are necessary to successfully assist patients in quitting.

Mary Martinasek

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Educating Your Patients on Emerging Tobacco Products: Hookah and E-cigarettes

Mary Martinasek PhD RRT-NPS RPFT MPH MCHES, Tampa FL
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Attendees will gain a firm understanding of the product functions, epidemiology, constituents, and both reported negative and positive self-reported effects related to respiratory and general health of both hookah smoking and electronic cigarettes. This presentation will provide a comprehensive summary of empirical literature on both topics.

Erna Boone Scott Cerreta

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Electronic Cigarettes - How Should You Advise Your Patients?(Pro/Con)

Erna Boone PhD RRT FAARC, Little Rock AR
Scott Cerreta RRT, Washington DC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Electronic cigarettes have grown in popularity to the point that even non-smokers are trying them. Some clinicians argue there is a place for them on the basis of harm reduction. How will you answer your patients when asked about e-cigarettes? This Pro/Con session will give a lively review of the available data for both positions so you can make-up your mind on where you stand on this issue.

3:05 pm–4:20 pm

The Magic of Pediatric Home Ventilation

Jenni L Raake

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Gadgets and Devices

Jenni L Raake MBA RRT-NPS, Amelia OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

There are a variety of home care ventilators in today's market. It must be stressed that not every home care ventilator is suited to provide care for pediatric patients. This presentation will explore the various types of home care devices and discuss the optimal approach to selecting the most appropriate equipment for our patients.

Nancy A Johnson

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Challenges and Obstacles

Nancy A Johnson RRT-NPS, Medina OH

The opportunity to be free from the confines of the hospital also presents challenges for ventilator-dependent infants and children. This presentation will explore the challenges of pediatric home mechanical ventilation, offer thoughts on how to overcome those challenges, and identify various opportunities for our pediatric home-ventilated patients.

3:05 pm–5:00 pm

From the Very First Breath

Sherry E Courtney

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Optimal Respiratory Management in the Delivery Room

Sherry E Courtney MD MS, Little Rock AR
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

The clinical path of a neonate born with respiratory disease may be altered by respiratory management from the infant's first breath. This presentation will overview the optimal respiratory management in the delivery room based on the available data and consensus guidelines. Time will be allocated for questions from the audience.

Kathleen M Deakins

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Unplanned Extubations: Preventing the Risk

Kathleen M Deakins MSHA RRT-NPS FAARC, Cleveland OH

Practice issues in the NICU remain at the forefront of day-to-day care. Unplanned extubations present serious challenges for the management of the smallest intubated infants. This presentation will be focused on identifying the common causes, interventions, and management of this problem while maintaining a developmental environment for the vulnerable infant.

Jonathan Fanaroff

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Challenges Following the NICU Course: Ethical or Not?

Jonathan Fanaroff MD, Cleveland OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Premature infants are surviving well beyond previous expectations. However, in some challenging cases, infants are faced with complex long-term care issues that must be addressed by caregivers and family members. This presentation addresses the complex ethical challenges related to survival of the smallest infants.

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Developing a Pediatric Specialty Team in a Community Hospital

Clair Aloan MS RRT-NPS FAARC, Tully NY

Overview of selection and training of pediatric specialists in a community hospital setting, including member selection, competency development, and use of specialty training programs such as STABLE, PALS, and NRP.

Susan Blonshine

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Diffusing Capacity: A Decade of Decreasing the Noise - What Have We Learned?

Susan Blonshine RRT RPFT AE-C FAARC, Mason MI
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

Over the past 10 years there have been many lessons learned to improve the measurement of DLCO. This presentation will review the practical application of these lessons to decrease the measurement noise and improve the accuracy of the diffusing capacity measurement.

Lutana Haan

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Sleep and Obesity

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT, Boise ID

Obesity has become an epidemic in our country; and though we hear a lot about diet and exercise, RTs need to learn the effect of poor sleep and its effect on obesity.

3:10 pm–5:05 pm

Open Forum #7 Education

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

3:10 pm–5:05 pm

Open Forum #8 Ventilators/Ventilation - Part 2

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Richard M Ford

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Too Much, Too Fast… Managing Change

Richard M Ford RRT FAARC, San Diego CA
Content Category: Management

More and more is demanded from both respiratory care leaders and staff. Between unfunded mandates, new programs, and new technology, how do you keep up with it all? The presenter will provide approaches to staying energized and engaged. In addition to planning tools to ensure needed resources and support are considered prior to committing to take on new roles and programs.

Jeff Haynes

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Debunking Myths and Dogma in Pulmonary Function Testing

Jeff Haynes RRT RPFT, Nashua NH

Myths and dogma are common in medicine, and pulmonary function testing is not immune from this phenomenon. Learn how common myths can result in misinterpretation of data and inconvenience for patients.

Jessica Schweller

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Before You Go Under the Knife - Pre-operative OSA Screening

Jessica Schweller RRT RN MS CNP, Columbus OH
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

Each year, patients undergo multiple elective procedures, with many resulting in post-operative complications. This lecture will provide insight into developing a screening protocol for possible OSA patients, as well as the types of testing and treatment involved.

Russell Acevedo

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Lung Partners - Primary Respiratory Care

Russell Acevedo MD FAARC, Syracuse NY
Content Category: Management

Lung Partners is a unique in-patient disease management model where the primary RT and their COPD patient are linked for the current and all subsequent care episodes. They are responsible for their patient's treatments, education, assessments for comorbidities, and other disease management responsibilities. Outcomes related to COPD care, cost, readmissions, and patient and RT satisfaction will be presented.

Michael J Morris

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Evaluation of Post-deployment Respiratory Symptoms

Michael J Morris MD MACP FCCP, Fort Sam Houston, TX
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

This session will discuss issues surrounding potential deployment exposures for military personnel and the recommended approach in evaluating these individuals for evidence of underlying pulmonary disorders.

Crystal L Dunlevy

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Sensitivity Training in Preparation for Service Learning

Crystal L Dunlevy EdD RRT RCP, Columbus OH
Content Category: Education

Students often perform service learning in environments that are new to them, including low SES and culturally diverse settings. We developed and delivered a sensitivity training program that resulted in significantly improved empathy levels. Open-ended reflection questions changed dramatically from negative to positive. The sensitivity program will be presented and discussed.

Peter Allen

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Identification and Retention of In-patients for Your Out-patient Hospital Sleep Lab

Peter Allen BSRC RRT-NPS-SDS RST RPSGT, Radnor PA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

Increasing OSA awareness of hospital staff that results in additional revenue for your facility.

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Breathing With a Sick Heart

Alex T Rotta

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Respiratory Management of Infants and Children with Cardiac Disease

Alex T Rotta MD FAACP FCCM, Cleveland OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

The choice of respiratory support in children with cardiac disease can be complex and unforgiving if performed incorrectly. This presentation discusses common strategies employed in the critical care setting, applying a physiologic approach based on cardiopulmonary interactions.

8:30 am–9:20 am

42nd Donald F Egan Scientific Memorial Lecture

Charles G Durbin Jr

8:30 am–9:20 am

Monitors: Improving Safety or Increasing Risk?

Charles G Durbin Jr MD FAARC, Charlottesville VA

Monitoring is a routine and common component of caring for critically ill patients and patients at risk for serious, unpredictable deterioration. This presentation will review the explosion of devices developed to provide monitoring for patients in and outside the ICU. Unintended consequences of this massive deployment of technology has led to problems with false alarms, caregiver distraction, environmental noise pollution, failure to respond to real alarms, and fatigue resulting in worsening patient outcomes. Using pulse oximetry as a prototype monitor and familiar device, the important issues of monitoring in general will be investigated. A paradigm that can be used to evaluate the impact of monitoring in general will be developed. Evaluation of a monitor requires understanding the care decisions and actions driven by its use, not by the presence or absence of the device itself. Confusion with making clinical diagnoses (e.g., "hypoxia") and monitoring (e.g., identifying "falling saturations and intervening") leads to the misunderstandings about the value and use of monitoring. This concept will be developed in detail during this presentation.

9:30 am–12:13 pm

OPEN FORUM Editors' Choice

Reviewers and Journal editors chose these abstracts as the most significant ones at this year's Congress. Each author of the Editors' Choice abstracts will give a 10-minute slide presentation, followed by 10 minutes of audience questions and discussions.

9:30 am–9:43 am

High Priority Ventilator Alarms That Received No Intervention: An Analysis of Ventilator Alarm Informativeness in Intensive Care Units

9:45 am–9:58 am

Does the Selection of Endotracheal Securing Devices Impact the Number of Unplanned Extubation in a Neonatal Population?

10:00 am–10:13 am

Screening of Exercised Induced Bronchoconstriction in College Student-Athletes

10:15 am–10:28 am

Impact of an Intervention to Reduce Therapy Delays from Emergency Department to Medical Surgical Units

10:30 am–10:43 am

Assessing the Prevalence of Sleep Apnea Among Collegiate Football Players

10:45 am–10:58 am

Impact of Electronic Medical Record Screening Tool and Therapist-Driven Protocol on Length of Stay and Hospital Re- Admission for COPD

11:00 am–11:13 am

Accidental Extubation in the NICU

11:15 am–11:28 am

Respiratory Procedures Done Prior to Onset of Ventilator Associated Events

11:30 am–11:43 am

Utilization of an Interface and Skin Assessment Tool by the Respiratory Care Practitioner to Reduce and Prevent Hospital Acquired Pressure Ulcers Associated with Non-Invasive Ventilation

11:45 am–11:58 am

Characterization of Ribavirin with Small Particle Aerosol Generator and Micropump Aerosol Technologies

12:00 pm–12:13 pm

Evaluation of Positive Pressure Delivered From a Non-Prescription Nasal Patch (Theraventÿ)

Keith D Lamb

9:55 am–10:25 am

Adult Acute Care Section Membership Meeting

Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Billy Hutchison

9:55 am–10:25 am

Surface & Air Transport Section Membership Meeting

Billy Hutchison BA RRT-NPS/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

10:00 am–11:55 am

Open Forum #9 Monitoring/Equipment

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Keith Hirst

10:30 am–11:05 am

Overview of Patient-Family Centered Care in the Hospital

Keith Hirst MS RRT-NPS RRT-ACCS, Boston MA
Content Category: Management

This lecture will discuss the four principles of patient family-centered care and the importance that organizations like the National Patient Safety Foundation, Institute of Medicine, American Hospital Association, and others are stressing the importance of patient-family centered health. The speaker will discuss how these are affecting hospitals and health care organizations.

Michael R Anderson

10:30 am–11:05 am

Pediatric Disasters: Are We Really Ready?

Michael R Anderson MD MBA FAAP
Content Category: Bioterrorism/Emergency Preparedness

Disaster preparedness has largely been focused on the adult population, but what about infants and children? Are we really ready? This presentation will review the current state of pediatric preparedness and offer thoughts for the future.

Lutana Haan

10:30 am–11:05 am

Simulation Best Practices

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT, Boise ID

This lecture will discuss the educational philosophy of simulation. The presenter will describe how the structure of simulation can best obtain your objectives and will review models of best practice from published research.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Neonatal and Pediatric Airway Management: Drug Regimes, Techniques, and Controversies in the Transport Setting

Bradley A Kuch

10:30 am–11:05 am

Neonatal/Pediatric Airway Management: What the Evidence Is Telling Us

Bradley A Kuch RRT-NPS FAARC, Pittsburgh PA

Controversy surrounds which intubating techniques should be used during pediatric transport. Intubation techniques have been associated with neurologic and pulmonary outcome. The lecture will discuss various intubation approaches used in the transport setting. Evidence will be discussed with emphasis on neurologic and success rate outcomes.

Jerome Spinnato

11:10 am–11:45 am

Intubation Regimes: Choosing the Correct Pharmacologic Adjuncts for Specific Clinical Situation

Jerome Spinnato RN RRT CCRN C-NPT

Pharmacologic regimes for certain clinical situations are essential for successful management of children with respiratory failure resulting from differing etiologies. Clinicians continue to use single pharmacologic protocols to manage all types of neonatal/pediatric respiratory failure. Protocols for each agent and their indication will be reviewed.

Bradley A Kuch Jerome Spinnato

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Medication-assisted Neonatal Intubation: A Pro/Con Debate

Bradley A Kuch MHA RRT-NPS FAARC, Pittsburgh PA
Jerome Spinnato RN RRT CCRN C-NPT , Pittsburgh PA

Much controversy surrounds medication-assisted intubation in the neonatal population. The pro/con debate will review the evidence regarding the use of pharmacologic adjuncts to facilitate intubation. The lecture will conclude an interactive audience discussion surrounding the topic of medication-assisted intubation in the neonatal population.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Connecting the Dots from Inpatient to Outpatient Chronic Disease Management

Charley P Starnes

10:30 am–11:05 am

Pulmonary Disease Educator - Is Your Staff Ready To Teach?

Charley P Starnes RRT RCP, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This presentation will discuss how to prepare your staff to teach at the bedside and help transition the patient to home, successes and lessons learned in becoming a pulmonary disease educator, and the steps needed for continued success.

Zachary Gantt

11:10 am–11:45 am

Creating an Effective Discharge Program: Transitioning the Chronic Pulmonary Disease Patient from Acute Care to LTACH to Home

Zachary Gantt RRT, Livingston TN

This session will focus on the LTACH environment and discuss the importance of a successful transition of care program where the patient with chronic pulmonary disease is transitioned from the acute care hospital to the LTACH and from the LTACH to home. The presenter will discuss pending reimbursement issues from CMS as well as eligibility requirements for admission into the LTACH. The attendee will leave this session with a better understanding of the collaboration needed between organizations to facilitate the timely and effective transition of patients between all levels of care.

Charley P Starnes

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Connecting the Dots from Inpatient to Outpatient Chronic Disease Management

Charley P Starnes RRT RCP, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

What are the positive clinical and financial outcomes of an RT-driven COPD management program? This presentation will discuss the fundamentals of a COPD management program involving respiratory therapists across the continuum of care: from the hospital to physician offices to home.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

The Potential Organ Donor: Safe Options for Your Patient

MaryAnn Couture

10:30 am–11:05 am

Brain and Cardiac Death Defined

MaryAnn Couture MS RRT-ACCS, Hartford CT

Brain death studies are low-volume specialized procedures in large medical facilities. Attendees will learn about differences in brain and cardiac deaths, the physiology of brain death, and the American Association of Neurology apnea testing guidelines to determine brain death.

Maria Madden

11:10 am–11:45 am

Apnea Tests and Ventilation To Increase Lung Procurement

Maria Madden RRT-ACCS, Baltimore MD

Discuss traditional apnea tests and using the Carbogen method as a safer method. Review current literature on how APRV has increased lung procurement.

MaryAnn Couture

11:50 am–12:25 pm

The Respiratory Therapist's Role in Organ Procurement

MaryAnn Couture MS RRT-ACCS, Hartford CT

Organ procurement and recovery requires a host of partnerships between several disciplines. Managing lungs is the gateway to managing all organs. There are established best practices and policies under Medicare and Medicaid Services conditions for participating in organ recovery. How is the respiratory therapist utilized? There's more to do than just protect the lungs.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Patient-centric Care: Defining the Patient, Therapist, and Physician Team

John Walsh Jon Tiger

10:30 am–11:05 am

We Are Patients: Let's Talk About Our Collective Needs

John Walsh , Miami FL
Jon Tiger , Wichita KS

The presenters have been on the receiving end of respiratory care for many years and will candidly speak to both positive and negative experiences through evolving health care changes. Through leadership in patient-driven advocacy groups, both will discuss collective patient needs. As advocates of respiratory therapy disease management, they will offer opinions on needed change for improved patient-centered care.

Patrick J Dunne

11:10 am–11:45 am

The Therapist Is Key To Making Patient-centric Care Happen

Patrick J Dunne MEd RRT FAARC, Fullerton CA

Successful care transition equals sustained patient engagement, which is the essence of patient-centric care. Respiratory therapists are clearly the best qualified to integrate the physician's intended care plan with the needs and expectations of chronic respiratory patients. Better chronic care is good for patients, therapists, physicians, and society in general.

Kent L Christopher

11:50 am–12:25 pm

The Physician's Role in Empowering Both the Therapist and the Patient

Kent L Christopher MD RRT FAARC, Aurora CO
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Physicians must embrace a collaborative care model. RTs across the continuum of care must be empowered to engage, assess, educate, instruct, and monitor patient self-management. Effective team communication along the continuum of patient-centric care is essential. The "art" of engaging patients throughout evolving emotional, psychological, and physical needs will be presented.

10:30 am–12:25 pm

Sleep Center and DME Communication - Leading to Better Patient CPAP Compliance

Karen S Schell

10:30 am–11:05 am

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

Karen S Schell DHSc RRT-NPS RRT-SDS RPFT AE-C CTTS, Emporia KS
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

The role of patient education and the responsibilities of the sleep center and the DME. Communication between the sleep center and the DME provide transitional care and education for improved compliance.

Paul A Selecky

11:10 am–11:45 am

Identifying Roles and Responsibilities of the Attending Physician, Sleep Lab, and DME

Paul A Selecky MD FAARC FCCP, Newport Beach CA

Each participant has much to contribute toward making the patient compliant with treatment; and there frequently can be an overlap that can be confusing and contradictive.

Peter Allen

11:50 am–12:25 pm

What Happens to Patients When They Leave the Sleep Center and Have Their Equipment Set Up by the DME?

Peter Allen BSRC RRT-NPS-SDS RST RPSGT, Randor PA

Patients often forget CPAP instructions and do not seek help when addressing problems with CPAP usage. This lecture will discuss possible solutions for keeping the patient on track with treatment.

Jason Moury

11:10 am–11:45 am

Using Social Media As a Way To Connect To Patients

Jason Moury MPH RRT, Miami FL

The use of social media can be a great way to connect with our patients. It does not come without potential issues; this section will provide information about how to utilize social media without violating HIPAA regulations. Examples of proper use and improper use will be shown as well as basic steps needed to get started.

Lee Guion

11:10 am–11:45 am

Driving in the Dark: Assessing NIV Treatment in ALS

Lee Guion MA RRT FAARC, San Francisco CA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Using noninvasive ventilation to treat respiratory insufficiency in ALS is now the standard of care. However, there is no consensus on how to determine treatment success. Current practice in ALS clinics will be reviewed. Components of a best practice model will be proposed.

Michael R Anderson Ira M Cheifetz

11:10 am–12:25 pm

Clinical Controversies in Pediatric Respiratory Care

Michael R Anderson MD MBA FAAP, Cleveland OH
Ira M Cheifetz MD FCCM FAARC, Durham NC

Brought back to the program by request from many attendees, this session will focus on various clinical controversies in pediatric respiratory care. Two experts in the field will debate current controversies with input from the attendees.

Keith Hirst

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Getting Your Department Ready for Patient- Family-centered Care!

Keith Hirst MS RRT-NPS RRT-ACCS, Boston MA
Content Category: Management

Speaker will discuss strategies for implementing the four principals of patient- family-centered care into your department and organization. Further discussion will be had on managing and sustaining patient- family-centered care success within the department/organization.

Lee Guion

11:50 am–12:25 pm

Does Bulbar Dysfunction Render Respiratory Assessment by Standard PFTs Meaningless?

Lee Guion MA RRT FAARC, San Francisco CA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

There is currently no consensus on the best assessment of pulmonary function in ALS. Common measures of bedside measures are profoundly limited in patients with bulbar weakness and cognitive impairment. Based on results of new research on phrenic nerve conduction studies, a case will be made for its use as a biomarker of respiratory function in ALS.

Cheryl A Hoerr

12:30 pm–1:00 pm

Management Section Membership Meeting

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section nonmembers, are invited to attend and to participate.

12:45 pm–2:40 pm

Open Forum #10 Ventilators/Ventilation - Part 3

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Peter Allen

12:45 pm–1:15 pm

Sleep Section Membership Meeting

Peter Allen BSRC RRT-NPS-SDS RST RPSGT/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section nonmembers, are invited to attend and participate.

1:00 pm–2:55 pm

Open Forum #11 Case Reports; Diagnostics

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Ellen Becker

1:00 pm–1:30 pm

Education Section Membership Meeting

Ellen Becker PhD RRT-NPS AE-C /Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section nonmembers, are invited to attend and to participate.

Gerilynn Connors

1:15 pm–1:45 pm

Continuing Care/Rehab Section Membership Meeting

Gerilynn Connors RRT FAARC/Presiding

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section nonmembers, are invited to attend and participate.

Duke Johns

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Earning Respect Is Job 1 for RTs

Duke Johns BA, New Orleans LA
Content Category: Management

Respect should be the No. 1 goal for every RT. It must be earned. If you are respected by administration, nursing, physicians, patients, and peers, you will achieve all of your goals.

Steve E Sittig

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Pediatric Critical Care Transport: What Makes the Biggest Difference?

Steve E Sittig RRT-NPS FAARC, Hartford SD

Children and babies compose about 10% of emergency cases. Faced with how best to transport to definitive care, the critical decision for the physician is to use a local standard adult transport team or call for a pediatric specialty team. This lecture will present data that pediatric specialty teams are a better choice for critical medical care transport of pediatric patients.

David M Wheeler

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Oxygenation in ARDS: A Nonlinear Complex Systems Approach Why Dependence on the PaO2/FiO2 Alone May Be Clinically Naive

David M Wheeler MEd RRT-NPS, Charleston SC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

The significant nonlinear patho-specific milieu of the P/F ratio will be discussed. The P/F fluctuates dramatically with changes in the pathobiological context of the patient. This talk will discuss this nonlinear relationship and inform the clinician in the formulation of evidence-based care maps for their patients and highlight the influence of V/Q and FiO2 on the authenticity of the P/F ratio.

Brady Scott

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Simulation in Clinical Respiratory Care: Teaching, Testing, Trials, and Tribulations

Brady Scott MS RRT-ACCS, Chicago IL
Content Category: Education

Simulation technology is commonly used to train medical skills and enhance performance of clinicians. This lecture describes the initial development and integration of simulation into a respiratory care department's clinical training program. Current trends and future possibilities of respiratory care simulation will also be described.

1:45 pm–3:00 pm

Optimizing Aerosol Therapy in All Patient Population: Concepts and Practice

Arzu Ari

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Patient-focused Aerosol Therapy in Adults

Arzu Ari RRT PT CPFT FAARC, Atlanta GA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Effective aerosol therapy in adults is dependent on matching a number of key variables with the specific patient population and care environment. Selection of aerosol generator device and patient interface are key to prescription adherence and optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Arzu Ari

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Patient-focused Aerosol Therapy in Critical Care

Arzu Ari PhD RRT PT CPFT FAARC, Atlanta GA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This presentation explains the types of aerosol devices available on the market and provides strategies for their selection and use for optimal treatment of patients receiving mechanical ventilation and noninvasive ventilation as well as spontaneously breathing patients with a tracheostomy.

1:45 pm–4:20 pm

Pediatric Safety: Raising the Bar

Timothy R Myers

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Overview of Pediatric Safety

Timothy R Myers MBA RRT-NPS FAARC, Irving TX
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Patient safety is the foundation of all patient care. This session will overview the key initiatives and strategies to optimize patient safety in the neonatal and pediatric populations.

Amber L Galer

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Pediatric Safety in the Ambulatory Care Setting

Amber L Galer RRT, West Point UT
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Patient safety is essential throughout the continuum of care. This presentation will highlight the needs and initiatives for improved safety measures in the pediatric ambulatory setting.

Natalie Napolitano

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Pediatric Safety in the Non-ICU Inpatient Setting

Natalie Napolitano MPH RRT-NPS FAARC, Philadelphia PA

Although much attention has been paid to patient safety in the intensive care setting, we cannot forget about the routine inpatient wards. This presentation will review the priorities and initiatives to improve patient safety in the non-ICU inpatient setting.

Kyle J Rehder

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Pediatric Safety in the Critical Care Setting

Kyle J Rehder MD, Durham NC
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

The neonatal and pediatric critical environments are some of the most risky areas in clinical care. This session will review strategies to optimize patient safety in the intensive care units.

1:45 pm–4:20 pm

How Do We Optimize Management of Respiratory Failure Across the Continuum of Care Within a Changing Reimbursement Environment?

Russell Acevedo

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

Acute Care Setting: From Avoiding To Managing Acute Respiratory Failure

Russell Acevedo MD FAARC, Syracuse NY
Content Category: Clinical Practice

ED care can allow discharge home or observation, but reimbursement may impair care access. NIV on medical floors and ICU may fail. Invasive ventilation liberation can be difficult. Proper care acceleration and deceleration is needed. RTs on discharge planning teams must assess clinical needs and payment coverage for discharge to long-term acute care, post-acute care, or home.

Sean Muldoon

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

The Long-term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH): Major Reimbursement Changes and Update on Management Strategies

Sean Muldoon MD MPH, Louisville KY

Medicare LTACH policy requires three ICU days, but non-Medicare LTACH policy does not. Who will benefit from LTACH care? What are group clinical characteristics? Does post-acute care impact readmission and death? The RT's role in prolonged mechanical ventilation, chronic critical illness, and assessment and placement in high-level transitional care units or home will be discussed.

Eric S Yaeger

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Post-acute Care: What Does That Mean and How Can Patients with Respiratory Compromise Benefit?

Eric S Yaeger MD, Denver CO

Respiratory transitional care units (RTCUs) manage ventilated patients, often with complex airways and chronic critical illness. Admission criteria for reimbursement must be met. Some patients can be liberated from ventilators. RTs require specialized skills and knowledge. RTs should properly evaluate and prepare patients with chronic home ventilation or home oxygen therapy for discharge.

Peter C Gay

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Chronic Home Mechanical Ventilation: Addressing Reimbursement Obstacles and Improving Quality of Life and Clinical Outcome

Peter C Gay MD MS FCCP, Rochester MN

Distinct clinical populations on home mechanical ventilation (HMV) have different equipment and management needs. Reimbursement rules, regulations and terminology are outdated, and payment only covers durable medical equipment and excludes reimbursement for RT management of HMV. New technology and ventilator strategies are focused upon efforts to improve quality of life and clinical outcomes.

1:45 pm–5:00 pm

Sleep Waves: What Is the Future

Chad Ruoff

1:45 pm–2:20 pm

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

Chad Ruoff MD, Redwood City CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

New credentialing by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (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.

Brad Eli

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

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

Brad Eli MD, Encinitas CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

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.

Chad Ruoff

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

The Bi-directional Relationship Between Sleep and Obesity

Chad Ruoff MD, Redwood City CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

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

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Anything But CPAP! Alternatives To CPAP Therapy

Anthony L Daclan MBA RRT RCP, Fontana CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

Finding a therapy that a patient will be compliant with is crucial for the successful treatment of OSA. For patients at the Kaiser Fontana Sleep Disorders Center who cannot tolerate or who refuse CPAP, we offer several alternatives for them to choose from. This presentation will discuss four alternatives to CPAP for the treatment of OSA.

Peter C Gay

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Application of Adaptive Servoventilation or ASV for Complex Sleep Apnea

Peter C Gay MD MS FCCP, Rochester MN

Use of adaptive servo ventilation for the treatment of central or complex sleep-disordered breathing.

Cheryl A Hoerr

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Effective Transitions - Reducing Readmissions by Partnering with Post-acute Care Resources

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC, Rolla MO
Content Category: Management

Chronic illness is responsible for 75% of total health care costs and poor disease management results in re-hospitalizations. This presentation will share the details of a readmission prevention strategy that has been successful as a result of the collaborative efforts of acute care, home health, physician clinics, and long-term care facilities

Joe C Hylton

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Transport of the Trauma Patient

Joe C Hylton BSRT RRT-ACCS RRT-NPS NREMT-P FAARC, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Trauma patients are often the most tenuous and usually require transport to an alternate facility better equipped to manage the patient's injuries. This presentation will cover the key challenges in intra-hospital transport. Strategies will be provided on how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Decreasing Herd Immunity and the Potential for a Pandemic

Kathleen Ververeli MD, Allentown PA

This presentation will focus on the practice of withholding vaccination for children and the potential risks it creates for causing a pandemic.

Douglas E Masini

2:25 pm–3:00 pm

Using Diagnostic and Therapeutic Simulations To Build Interdisciplinary Teams

Douglas E Masini EdD RPFT RRT-NPS AE-C FCCP FAARC, Savannah GA

New practitioners must learn to work in interdisciplinary teams while they master curricular content. When monitoring an interdisciplinary team, the diagnostic and therapeutic domains (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor) are audible, visible, and measurable. This presentation explains how the interdisciplinary department can use simulations to teach, reinforce, and measure skills.

Dana Evans

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Be Your Own Superhero: Dealing with Villains in the Workplace

Dana Evans MHA RRT-NPS, Chesterfield MO
Content Category: Management

Working with difficult or disruptive personalities often leads to conflict, which can challenge the leaders' ability to maintain strong working relationships. How you respond in moments of conflict can help to resolve the situation or make it worse. The presenter will discuss conflict resolution strategies for dealing with major "villains" in the health care workplace.

Steve E Sittig

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

The Most Interesting Neonatal/Pediatric Transport Cases I've Ever Seen

Steve E Sittig RRT-NPS FAARC, Hartford SD

Medical transport is a dynamic environment where best-laid plans may go astray. Anyone who does transport knows you could write a book with each potential transport a chapter in that book. This lecture will recount three interesting transport cases experienced by the speaker and how adaptability and creativity can be major assets in transport.

Tonya Winders

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Overcoming the Stigma of Asthma

Tonya Winders MBA, McLean VA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Asthmatics of all ages feel a stigma about their disease. Learn tips on how to help overcome and eliminate this stigma

Lutana Haan

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

Simulation: Styles of Debriefing

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT, Boise ID

When the simulation is completed, it is time to assess and assure that learning has occurred. Simulation instructors indicate that the magic of simulation is in the debriefing. The question is "How do we make magic?" Attend this session and learn the different styles of debriefing and how to assure learning.

3:05 pm–5:00 pm

International Medical Mission Symposium - Viewpoints of Respiratory Care from Around the Globe

Lisa Trujillo

3:05 pm–3:40 pm

From Your Door to Theirs: Ensure Your Donations Are Delivered to the Hands That Need Them

Lisa Trujillo DHSc RRT, Ogden UT
Content Category: Clinical Practice

As health care providers, we have a great opportunity to impact health care in other countries through donating supplies and equipment. This presentation will discuss what donations are most helpful, how to collect and inventory them, cost-effective means of transporting donations, challenges that may be faced in the process, and how to overcome them.

Michael D Davis

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Respiratory Care in Resource-limited Settings

Michael D Davis RRT, Richmond VA

The presentation will provide a detailed overview of obstacles present in resource-limited environments that affect respiratory care and are relevant to providers. The presentation will include a detailed description of several curriculums that have been developed for health care providers in resource-limited settings as well as several case studies based in Liberia, West Africa.

Lisa Trujillo

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

It's a Big Elephant… Why Participate in International Medical Missions and Who Really Benefits?

Lisa Trujillo DHSc RRT, Ogden UT
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Many countries suffer from extreme lack of resources and health care infrastructure. It is easy to see the whole elephant on our plate rather than small bites we can take though our work. This presentation will examine the importance and the impact of mission work on a personal and professional level, as well as how the work we do is making a difference in the world of the individuals we serve.

3:10 pm–5:05 pm

Open Forum #12 O2 Therapy; Sleep/Pulmonary Rehab

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from MONAGHAN Researchers and clinicians present finding of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Ronda Bradley

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Creating a Culture of Safety: Not Just the Concern of the Respiratory Therapist

Ronda Bradley MS RRT FAARC, St Louis MO

The AAMI, FDA, AARC, equipment manufacturers, engineers, and health care providers have formed a consortium to address medical equipment concerns, ventilator technology, and patient monitoring due to alarm fatigue. The presenter will discuss specific information discussed at this health care summit, and attendees will be updated on project goals and deliverables as of the date of the meeting. In addition, this lecture will also discuss the National Patient Safety Goal on alarm fatigue, what is to be expected of hospitals in 2016 related to this NPSG, and existing best practices.

Scott Cerreta

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

Is Spirometry for Classification and Treatment of COPD Dead?

Scott Cerreta RRT, Washington DC
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

Spirometry tells us overall lung function, but it cannot tell us the type of disease and where it is located in the lung. People with COPD and an FEV1 of 50% are not the same. We learned from COPDGene that CT scans with novel new color mapping software can provide much more useful information than spirometry results.

David M Wheeler

3:45 pm–4:20 pm

A Tenuous Equilibrium; Pulmonary Mechanics and the Pulmonary Capillary Bed

David M Wheeler MEd RRT-NPS, Charleston SC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

This talk will center on the alveolar-capillary interphase discussing this delicate configuration in all of its poetic forms. Evidence argues this relationship is enormously tenuous yet robust under duress. Inflammatory mediators and their influence on the alveolar-capillary model and alveolar influence on molecular signals, plus their cardiopulmonary and systemic consequences will be discussed.

Bill Galvin

3:45 pm–5:00 pm

Tell Me Something I Should Know: Current and Future Issues Impacting Respiratory Care Educators

Bill Galvin MSEd RRT CPFT AE-C FAARC/Presiding

Ellen Becker Garry W Kauffman Shane Keene Crystal L Dunlevy

3:45 pm–5:00 pm

Tell Me Something I Should Know: Current and Future Issues Impacting Respiratory Care Educators

Ellen Becker PhD RRT-NPS AE-C, Chicago IL
Garry W Kauffman MPA FACHE RRT FAARC, Winston-Salem NC
Shane Keene DHSc RRT-NPS FAARC, Telford, TN
Crystal L Dunlevy EdD RRT RCP, Columbus OH

The syndicated TV program "The Chris Matthews Show" had a segment entitled "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" that consisted of a panel of experts (expert journalists and thought leaders) who provided insightful, profound, and/or futuristic fragments of news related to their area of expertise. This session will entail a similar format where seasoned and experienced professional colleagues will provide similar commentary on issues of significance to the RC educator. Attend this session for an insightful and spirited discussion of some of the pressing issues, both current and futuristic, that we as RC educators should know.

Dana Evans

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Tips for Making It Right When You Make a Mistake

Dana Evans MHA RRT-NPS, Chesterfield MO
Content Category: Management

Being in charge does not make you infallible. Leaders make mistakes too; sometimes we even put our foot in our mouths and make a challenging situation worse. The presentation will discuss methods for owning up to your mistakes, how to make it right with the affected person(s), and how to remain respected in the process.

Chani Traube

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Pediatric Delirium and Its Effects on Mechanical Ventilation

Chani Traube MD, New York NY
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Delirium is a real problem in the pediatric critical care environment. Increasing data support the need to recognize and treat this important clinical condition. One of the true pioneers in this emerging field will provide information and insight, which may improve outcomes for you neonatal and pediatric patients.

Helen Sorenson

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Palliative Care Issues in COPD - What's Old? What's New?

Helen Sorenson MA RRT CPFT FAARC, San Antonio TX
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

This presentation will present practical suggestions for incorporating PC (palliative care/patient comfort) into daily therapy routines.

Robert Messenger

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Outcomes in Home Care - You Are What You Track

Robert Messenger RRT CPFT FAARC, Elyria OH
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This presentation will look at what data the post-acute care provider should collect and how that data can be obtained, tracked, and evaluated. The session will conclude with a discussion on how outcomes data can be used to improve patient services and bolster hospital referrals.

John D Davies

4:25 pm–5:00 pm

Liberation from Mechanical Ventilation: Are SBTs Still the Way To Go, or Is There Something New?

John D Davies RRT MA FAARC, Durham NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs) have been the gold standard for liberation for over a decade. With the advancement of closed loop ventilation and automatic weaning, should we consider using something other than SBTs?

8:00 am–8:50 am

31st Phil Kittredge Memorial Lecture

Nathan Cobb

8:00 am–8:50 am

E-Cigarettes: The Science Behind the Smoke and Mirrors

Nathan Cobb MD, Washington, DC

Pharmacotherapies and other support aids have long been proven to enhance the quit rates of most smokers. But there's a new kid on the block alleging its success in tobacco cessation. E-cigarette manufacturers want you to believe that using their product is a safer alternative than the traditional cigarette, but is it really? In this presentation, Dr. Cobb will examine e-cigarettes and share the science behind the newest craze in tobacco use. Is the FDA justified in their oversight and regulation of these devices? Are they a safe resource to help patients quit smoking? As the pre-eminent experts in tobacco-cessation counseling, RTs should be well informed as to the real evidence of these devices. Are they a safe alternative or simply good marketing? Attend this lecture to find out.

Teresa A Volsko

9:15 am–9:50 am

Creating an Infrastructure to Effectively Evaluate the Skills and Knowledge Base of the Respiratory Therapist

Teresa A Volsko MHHS RRT FAARC, Youngstown OH
Content Category: Management

This panel discussion will promote dialog between different hospitals on their implementation strategies for assessing knowledge, developing competencies, and creating ongoing education initiatives to best support the bed-side therapist.

Howard Stein

9:15 am–9:50 am

Shades of Grey - Critical Neonatal Radiographs Every RT Should Recognize

Howard Stein MD, Toledo OH
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Neonatal respiratory therapists are often expected to review their patients' chest radiographs. This presentation uses an interactive case-study based format that allows participants to interact with the presenter and discuss radiograph findings, clinical implications, and treatment options.

Carl D Mottram

9:15 am–9:50 am

Experience From a Pulmonary Function Accreditation Program

Carl D Mottram RRT RPFT FAARC, Rochester MN
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

The presenter will describe the Pulmonary Function Laboratory Diagnostic Accreditation Program of British Columbia.

Elissa Williams

9:15 am–9:50 am

Affirmative Action: Negative Self-talk and Depression Can Impede Self-care - Use Positive Affirmations To Improve Care

Elissa Williams RRT-NPS CPFT, Gardner KS

RTs are caregivers who often neglect their own self-care needs. Many of us are plagued with depression and are ill equipped to override our own negative thoughts. This lack of self-care impacts our patients through mood swings, missed workdays, job dissatisfaction, and friction between co-workers. But what if we could change? Could our patients benefit? Could our positive change mentor our patients?

Kyle J Rehder

9:15 am–9:50 am

The Patient Handoff - Fumbles Can Be Fatal

Kyle J Rehder MD, Durham NC
Content Category: Patient Safety

Much attention has been paid to MD-MD and RN-RN handoffs, but what about RT-RT handoffs? Effective communication is essential to optimal patient care and family satisfaction. This presentation will review the successes and pitfalls to the handoff of a patient.

9:15 am–9:50 am

Is There a Role for Electronic Etiquette Education in the Curriculum of the Therapist?

How have portable electronic devices (PDEs) affected the practice of medicine? How can early education in professionalism affect the therapist-patient relationship? What level of addiction to devices is present in health professionals?

Peter Allen

9:15 am–9:50 am

Disease State Marketing for Your Sleep Disorders Center

Peter Allen BSRC RRT-NPS-SDS RST RPSGT, Radnor PA

This lecture will focus on market segmentation and approach to the many specialty areas that have identified obstructive sleep apnea as contributing or causative. Disease state marketing enables the sleep disorders lab to educate many new referral sources before they become your competitors.

9:15 am–10:30 am

COPD Readmissions

Robin Kidder

9:15 am–9:50 am

COPD Readmissions… We Can't Do It Alone

Robin Kidder BA RRT AE-C, St Louis MO

Reducing COPD readmissions is a priority for all. While RTs can help reduce re-admissions, a collaborative team connecting inpatient to outpatient care is essential. The presenter will share the unique, innovative, and multidisciplinary approaches utilized by a large inner-city teaching hospital's COPD readmissions committee with respiratory therapy being an integral part of this team.

Arianna Villa

9:55 am–10:30 am

Extending Services: A Clinician's Perspective

Arianna Villa RRT, San Diego CA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

The presenter will review the different skills needed in assessing and treating different populations of patients beyond the pulmonary rehabilitation clinic.

9:15 am–12:30 pm

RESPIRATORY CARE Symposium

Richard D Branson

9:15 am–9:50 am

I Want To Publish, But Where Do I Start?

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC, Cincinnati OH
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will serve as a primer on how to get started with a research project.

Dean R Hess

9:55 am–10:30 am

How To Lie With Statistics and Figures; What's a P Anyway?

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will take some of the mystery out of the language of research.

Jeff Haynes

10:35 am–11:10 am

Research Does Not Need To Come From An Ivory Tower

Jeff Haynes RRT RPFT, Nashua NH

This lecture will describe how anyone can do research regardless of their work setting.

Dean R Hess

11:15 am–11:50 am

Five Common Reasons Why the Editor Will Reject Your Paper

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture describes common reasons why papers are not accepted for publication, which should help anyone who is considering the submission of a paper.

Richard D Branson

11:55 am–12:30 pm

The Five Best Papers Published in RESPIRATORY CARE in 2015

Richard D Branson MSc RRT FAARC , Cincinnati OH
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This lecture will describe the five best papers published in RESPIRATORY CARE in 2015.

Cheryl A Hoerr

9:55 am–10:30 am

Manage Up To Get Ahead

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC, Rolla MO
Content Category: Management

Managers are being asked to do a lot more with a lot less. So you need to be an expert at "managing up". If you're not familiar with this term, you need to attend this session and learn effective techniques for exerting your power. If you are successful, you will add value in your job and be able to use your influence to get the resources and support that are critical to achieving your goals.

Shari A Toomey

9:55 am–10:30 am

Treating Bronchiolitis in the 21st Century - New Recommendations from the AAP

Shari A Toomey MBA RRT-NPS, Roanoke VA
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Treatment and management of bronchiolitis vary widely across the country. This presentation will review the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recommendations for the treatment of bronchiolitis. The presenter will share adopted algorithms and protocols that have been created for the treatment of the infant with bronchiolitis. Outcomes and lessons learned will be shared.

Carl D Mottram

9:55 am–10:30 am

CPET Vs 6MWT: What Is the Better Test in COPD?

Carl D Mottram RRT RPFT FAARC, Rochester MN
Content Category: Pulmonary Function

Debate the utility of each test in the assessment of COPD patients and their exercise tolerance.

Paul F Nuccio

9:55 am–10:30 am

Can You Turn the Noise Down, Please?

Paul F Nuccio MS RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

The ICU is filled with noise, both from critical alarm alerts and from nuisance alarms. This presentation will focus on noise levels within an ICU and the impact this can have on the patient who is subjected to such noise. The actions of the respiratory therapist can make a significant contribution toward minimizing noise levels in this environment.

Sherry Whiteman

9:55 am–10:30 am

New Needs Require New Techniques… Using Digital Media To Make an Impact

Sherry Whiteman MS RRT, Joplin MO
Content Category: Education

Videos are a very visual and emotional medium that can be used to create a unique personal or educational experience. This presentation will review the literature, identify best practices, and discuss ways to harness the power of video media to impact any teaching/learning environment.

Andrea N Sakovitch

9:55 am–10:30 am

OSA, Life After Diagnosis

Andrea N Sakovitch BSRT RRT RCP, Fontana CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

National compliance with positive airway pressure is as low as 50%, with complaints ranging from mask issues to aerophobia. As skilled professionals, we have the tools to troubleshoot, educate, and create a more enjoyable experience for our patients, and increase compliance in the process. Learn effective protocols to care for your OSA population.

9:55 am–12:30 pm

Critical Care Case Reports: Putting the Evidence into Practice, and Interactive Exercise

Brady Scott

9:55 am–10:30 am

Severe Asthma in the ED - What Would You Do?

Brady Scott MS RRT-ACCS, Chicago IL
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Severe asthma can be life threatening. What is the evidence today regarding the treatment of these difficult patients? This will be an interactive case report presentation discussing the strategies that are supported by the literature.

Joe C Hylton

10:35 am–11:10 am

Traumatic Brain Injury

Joe C Hylton BSRT RRT-ACCS RRT-NPS NREMT-P FAARC, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Traumatic brain injury can be devastating. There are times when mild TBI can be misleading, and the decision to intubate may not be so easy to make. This will be an interactive case report presentation discussing the strategies that are supported by the literature. At what Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) should you intubate? Hyperventilate?

Carl R Hinkson

11:15 am–11:50 am

COPD in the ICU

Carl R Hinkson MS RRT-ACCS NPS FAARC, Seattle WA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Sick COPD patients are challenging. This will be an interactive case report presentation discussing the strategies that are supported by the literature. NIPPV? Pharmacology?

Keith D Lamb

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Drug Overdose and the Respiratory System

Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS, Des Moines IA

Drug overdose can cause serious metabolic derangement, which may have serious consequence on the respiratory system. This presentation will discuss one of these cases through an interactive case review.

Sherry Whiteman

10:35 am–11:10 am

Career Development Planning

Sherry Whiteman MS, RRT, Joplin MO
Content Category: Management

It's a dog-eat-dog world in the workforce - and for those who want to join it and move forward, preparation may make all the difference! This presentation will describe important steps to take to create a career development plan that can help you reach your goals.

Kathleen M Deakins

10:35 am–11:10 am

Airway Clearance During Mechanical Ventilation - Effective or Just Adding to Cost of Care?

Kathleen M Deakins MSHA RRT-NPS FAARC, Cleveland OH

Airway clearance is often added to the arsenal of pediatric mechanical ventilation. This presentation describes the indications, appropriate use, and expected outcomes of using airway clearance in infants and children requiring mechanical ventilation.

Tabatha Dragonberry

10:35 am–11:10 am

Stabilization of the Pediatric Patient for Transport: What Community RTs Need To Know

Tabatha Dragonberry MEd RRT-NPS AE-C ACCS CPFT, Madera, CA
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

In this session we will discuss how the community RT can prepare for a pediatric patient and transport team. What steps can you take to stabilize these patients as you wait for the referral facility? We will discuss the transition of care and how best this is facilitated.

Jane Martin

10:35 am–11:10 am

Your Breathing Support Group: Planning Meetings for Long-term Success

Jane Martin BA LRT CRT, Washington DC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

A breathing support group is an important component of optimal lung health management, providing ongoing information as well as social and emotional support. This presentation discusses information and resources on over 40 presentation topics and five different formats to develop a plan that will help keep your meetings fresh and interesting for years to come.

Gary Nieman

10:35 am–11:10 am

The Ventilator As a Drug To Reduce ARDS Incidence

Gary Nieman BA, Syracuse NY
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Recent animal and clinical studies have shown that ARDS is a progressive disease, similar to cancer, and that early application of protective mechanical ventilation can reduce the incidence. This lecture will discuss how properly set mechanical breath can block progression of acute lung injury and prevent the development of ARDS.

Lisa Cracchiolo

10:35 am–11:10 am

Are Your Skills Truly Where You Think They Are? A New Approach To Assess and Maintain Clinical Competency

Lisa Cracchiolo BA RRT, St Louis MO
Content Category: Education

How to ensure ALL therapists can consistently perform all aspects of respiratory care? Traditional annual skill competencies may not fully assess each therapist's true skills and needs. The discussion will include a model that starts with RTs' perception of their skills and then measures it objectively to deliver a customized, hands-on training and ongoing skills verification.

Michael Tran

10:35 am–11:10 am

Keeping the Road Safe: The Role of a Respiratory Therapist in Managing Commercial Drivers with Sleep Apnea

Michael Tran RRT BSRT, Fontana CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

Drivers with sleep apnea can pose a danger on the road when they are not well managed. The role of RTs in sleep medicine has an impact on keeping commercial drivers from falling asleep on the road, thus keeping the road safe. This lecture will discuss the role of respiratory therapists as physician extenders in managing commercial drivers with sleep disorders, while adhering to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Guidelines.

10:35 am–11:10 am

Can't I Just Stay a Kid Forever?

Denise Willis

10:35 am–11:10 am

Transition From Pediatric To Adult Care

Denise Willis RRT-NPS, Little Rock AR
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Children who would not have normally survived are now living longer and becoming young adults due to advancements in technology and medical care. This has created the need for transition from pediatric to adult care for those with special health care needs. This presentation will review the rationale for transition and discuss the six core elements of transition.

Alan Greene

11:15 am–11:50 am

A Pulmonary Population Health Management Program Staffed by RTs partnering with a National Health Insurance Payer

Alan Greene RRT, Nashville TN

The speaker will share details of proven, innovative programs that utilize RTs in unique ways to improve outcomes related to positive impact on hospitalizations, reducing 30-day readmissions, and improving quality of life for the COPD population.

Michael D Davis

11:15 am–11:50 am

What We Exhale - More Important Than What We Inhale?

Michael D Davis RRT, Richmond VA

More attention is paid to what we inhale than what we exhale. This presentation will offer insight into the gas we exhale and how an assessment of this gas can help with diagnosis and management in those with respiratory conditions. This session will offer a novel approach to the assessment of breathing.

Thomas Bang

11:15 am–11:50 am

A Detailed Look at Respiratory's Role in the Transport Industry

Thomas Bang RRT NPS BSHCM, Atlanta G
Content Category: Clinical Practice

RTs on the move! Where we started, where we are now, and what the future holds for respiratory therapy involvement on transport teams.

Paul F Nuccio

11:15 am–11:50 am

Carbon Monoxide: A Deadly Gas That May Have a Purpose!

Paul F Nuccio MS RRT FAARC, Boston MA
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Is it possible that this deadly gas may have the potential to provide beneficial effects to some of our sickest patients? This presentation will examine the reasons why researchers believe this is true and explore the possible illnesses where the administration of carbon monoxide may provide these beneficial effects.

Dara T Vega

11:15 am–11:50 am

Telehealth! A New Frontier, Good for the Patient, Good for Sleep Medicine - How To Make Technology Work for You

Dara T Vega RN RPSGT CRTT, Fontana CA
Content Category: Sleep Medicine

The presenter will discuss the role of telehealth as a tool for engaging the patient into effectively managing their sleep apnea and therapy use. Discover how incorporating telehealth's education and automated follow-up programs can maximize patient engagement in managing their sleep disorder and maximize sleep center staff efficiency.

11:15 am–12:30 pm

Patient Education - Are You Ready for It?

Robin Kidder

11:15 am–11:50 am

Can You Keep Up? New Inhalers… Get Help Keeping Up with Patient's Home Meds

Robin Kidder BA RRT AE-C, St Louis MO

With so many new inhalers continually coming on the market, it's understandable why health care providers find it challenging to keep up with what patients are taking, what to recommend for therapy, or what to suggest as a substitute. The presenter will review the most frequently used newer inhalers and classes of medications that have been FDA approved in the U.S. over the last five years. Handouts will be available.

Deborah Bennett

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Don't Reinvent the Wheel! Implementation of the Pulmonary Education Program (PEP)

Deborah Bennett RRT, St Louis MO
Content Category: Clinical Practice

Are your respiratory therapists confident in delivering COPD education? Do your patients understand the education they receive? The speaker will share the implementation of a standardized program. The COPD Foundation PEP program offers RTs and patients high quality materials. As a result, the program today consistently delivers excellent results.

Frank R Salvatore Jr Michael T Amato Kathy J Rye Carl F Haas

11:15 am–12:30 pm

Agencies Update

Frank R Salvatore Jr MBA RRT FAARC - AARC President
Michael T Amato MBA - ARCF Chair
Kathy J Rye EdD RRT FAARC - CoARC President
Carl F Haas MLS RRT-ACCS FAARC - NBRC President

The leadership of the AARC, ARCF, CoARC, and NBRC will present the most updated information affecting the profession, research, accreditation, and credentialing. This is a must-attend session in your agenda!

Cheryl A Hoerr

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Do You Know How Much Your Products Really Cost?

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT CPFT FAARC, Rolla MO
Content Category: Management

Price is usually a primary consideration during negotiations with your suppliers but shouldn't be the only consideration. Our new cost-conscious, outcomes-focused health care model demands an evaluation of other aspects of care including quality, efficiency, and outcomes when calculating the true cost of any purchase. Let's talk about the factors to evaluate for optimized purchases.

Craig Smallwood

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Carbon Dioxide Elimination - Demystified...

Craig Smallwood RRT BSRT, Boston MA
Content Category: Neonatal/Pediatric

Carbon dioxide elimination monitoring is increasingly being incorporated into modern mechanical ventilators. But what are these measurements, and how should they be interpreted? What are typical values for healthy and sick infants, children, and adults? This presentation will demystify volumetric capnography and provide attendees with tools to better interpret these data and, hopefully, make an outcome difference at the bedside.

Robert V Smith

11:55 am–12:30 pm

It's Alright To Cry; PTSD in the EMS/Transport Settings

Robert V Smith RRT NCEMT-B, Charlotte NC
Content Category: Clinical Practice

This presentation will discuss post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the emergency medical services (EMS) transport settings.

Gary Nieman

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Seeing Is Believing: Real Time Visualization of Dynamic Alveolar Ventilation as a Mechanism of Ventilator-induced Lung Injury

Gary Nieman BA, Syracuse NY
Content Category: Adult Critical Care

Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) significantly increases the morbidity and mortality associated with acute lung injury and ARDS. However, the mechanism of VILI remains unclear. This lecture will identify the mechanical mechanism of VILI at the alveolar level using a novel in vivo microscope to visualize dynamic alveolar mechanics during tidal ventilation.

Jessica Schweller

11:55 am–12:30 pm

Code Blue, Sleep Center: Emergencies During and Due to Polysomnography

Jessica Schweller MS RRT RN CNP, Columbus OH

A polysomnography is a minimal to no risk procedure, but being prepared for emergencies is vital to assure a positive outcome should emergencies arise. RTs are prepared for anything, but the sleep center is one place where we could be caught off guard.

Amy Van Dyken

12:45 pm–2:15 pm

CLOSING CEREMONY

Amy Van Dyken

Amy Van Dyken is one of the most decorated female Olympic swimmers in United States history. Amy is a former world record-holder and 6-time Olympic gold medalist. She's a survivor of a near fatal ATV accident in 2014 that severed her spinal cord and she inspires people around the globe with her positive attitude and engaging personality. To this day, Amy attributes her ability to control her asthma as one of her life's greatest accomplishments. Attend the AARC Closing Ceremony as Amy shares her story of living as a child with asthma and how the recommendations of her pediatric pulmonologist led her on a path to Olympic stardom. She will also discuss the role of the respiratory therapist in her care and the role they played in allowing her to better manage her asthma. Amy will also share insights of her Olympic journey and share some of her favorite stories. In conclusion, Amy will discuss her near death experience when she severed her spinal cord last summer. Like everything in her life, Amy will discuss how she overcame what was likely the darkest moment of her life and turned it into triumph. Attendees will leave the Closing Ceremony feeling inspired, knowing that anything is possible with the right mindset!