American Association for Respiratory Care

Preceptor Training - How To Prepare and Support Your Staff To Be Successful Preceptors

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

Getting your staff up to speed as preceptors is a challenge whether you are a new manager or a seasoned leader. Picking the right person for the preceptor position, educating them, and providing the time they need is critical to allowing them to successfully grow the new staff. Instruction and design of the preceptor course that you can implement in your department will be provided to ensure that you are successful in your department and organization.

Preparing Your Department for Patient/Family-Centered Care

Keith Hirst MS RRT-NPS RRT-ACCS , Boston MA

This presentation will define and provide strategies for implementing the 4 principles of Patient/Family-Centered Care into your department and organization. Information will be shared to provide attendees with the knowledge and skills to manage and sustain Patient/Family-Centered Care success within your department and your health care organization.

Using Social Media As a Way To Connect To Patients

Jason Moury MPH RRT , Winchendon MA

"Using Social Media to Connect to Patients"? Are you reading this correctly? Yes, the use of social media can be a great way to connect with our patients, but it does not come without potential issues. This presentation will provide information about how to utilize social media without violating HIPAA regulations, and subsequently, losing your job. Examples of proper use and improper use will be demonstrated, as well as basic steps to getting started to utilize social media to better understand your patients and families, educate them, and increase their engagement with your respiratory care services and health care organization.

Exhibitor Break

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

Cheryl A Hoerr MBA RRT FAARC , Rolla MO

It is widely accepted that chronic illness is responsible for 75% of total health care costs, and poor disease management has been identified as the primary contributor to rehospitalizations. 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.

Care Transition: An Intervention Model To Reduce 30-Day Readmissions for COPD

Alan Green RRT , Nashville TN

As a follow-up to the previous presentation, this presentation will provide details of proven, innovative programs to reduce readmissions for our COPD patients. This program has been demonstrated to be widely successful because it utilizes respiratory therapists in both traditional and novel ways. RTs are key in this program, which has resulted in improved outcomes related to hospitalizations, reducing 30-day readmissions, and improving quality of life for the COPD population. If you are looking for new ways to demonstrate the value of your staff and your value as an operational leader, you'll want to learn how you can apply this methodology in your department.

Measuring Outcomes: What's Working, Does It Make a Difference, and Is It Worth It?

Sarah L Varekojis PhD RRT , Columbus OH

With the implementation of health care reform initiatives, health care systems are being held accountable for their outcomes in ways we could never have imagined just a few short years ago. RT roles are also evolving and expanding to include disease management and other areas of advanced practice. However, unless we have accepted processes to measure the value of our interventions, we will not be able to advance these new roles. Measuring meaningful outcomes is one way to demonstrate benefit to the institution, to the patient and/or family, and to the value of expanding RT roles and your value as an operational leader.

Lunch (on Your Own)

Workshop: Establishing Chronic Respiratory Care Service

Establishing Chronic Respiratory Care Service: Developing a Path and Process to Implementation

Patrick J Dunne MEd RRT FAARC , Fullerton CA

Garry W Kauffman RRT FAARC MPA FACHE , Winston-Salem NC

This workshop is linked with the plenary lecture by Mr. Dunne that set the stage for why we must take the stage, to lead our organization from our historical episodic care to one that integrates care across the health system continuum. In a designed, highly interactive work session, attendees will help determine: the role RT departments must play in chronic respiratory care, the extent the role of an RT department should have in chronic disease care in general, what RTs involved in chronic care should be called (e.g., COPD Care Manager/Coordinator, COPD Navigator, Disease Manager), the metrics best suited to monitor and report chronic care efforts, and the strategies for a successful transition. At the conclusion of this workshop, the RT leader will have the knowledge and tools to embellish their current disease state program - or for those seeking to create a program, how to do so and demonstrate their value to their organization as an effective and visionary leader.