AARC Congress 2016

Renee Wunderley BS RRT-NPS/Presiding

Teams from the AARC State Societies compete in the preliminary competitions. The top four teams will advance to the Finals on Monday evening, October 17, along with the Student Sputum Bowl finalists.

Sponsored by

Frank R Salvatore Jr MBA RRT FAARC/Co-Presiding
Brian K Walsh PhD RRT FAARC/Co-Presiding

The 2017/2018 AARC President-Elect and the current AARC President open the Exhibit Hall. As the "Gold Standard" of all respiratory care meetings, AARC Congress 2016 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 MD FCCM FAARC

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.

Teresa A Volsko MHHS RRT FAARC, Akron OH

This presentation will introduce the neophyte research presenter to the customs, roles, and experience of presenting at 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. Expectations for Editor's Choice and Poster Only presentations will be reviewed.

Monica Schibig MA RRT-NPS CPFT, Columbia MO

In this age of distance education it is imperative that the quality of instruction endures. Central to this endeavor is thorough and effective evaluation of online faculty. This presentation provides key elements for reliable and comprehensive assessment of the delivery, attributes, and instructor/student interactions of online courses.

Karsten Roberts MS RRT-ACCS RCP, Stanford CA

How often do ICU therapists think about patients? sleep? Critical care clinicians must be able to recognize how sleep affects weaning mechanical ventilation, optimization of ventilator breath synchrony, risks of delirium, and overall patient outcomes. The lecturer will describe how clinicians must give thoughtful consideration to the differences between sedation and quality sleep, as well as, defining the role RTs have in assuring quality sleep.

Garry W Kauffman RRT MPA FAARC FACHE, Winston Salem NC

This presentation will provide the essential elements included in a business plan, a template for attendees to utilize to manage their projects/business plans, and a checklist that attendees can use to ensure that their business planning process results in a successful outcome. The template and checklist will be provided as attachments for registered attendees.

Sarah L Varekojis PhD RRT FAARC, Columbus OH

It is necessary for many of the patients respiratory therapists care for to provide some self-care and to make some modifications to their lifestyle as part of their disease management. Making changes to health-related behaviors is hard, and when patients do not make the necessary changes, the consequences can be significant for both the patient and the facilities where they receive care. Motivational interviewing is a technique that can help respiratory therapists be more effective in helping patients make important changes.

Iris Selim BS RRT, Riverside CA

This lecture will discuss the potential roles of respiratory therapists in the sleep center which may include managing complex patients as part of in-laboratory polysomnography. This can also involve developing expertise as case managers to care for patients in the ambulatory setting. This lecture will also discuss the process of transitioning into these roles within sleep medicine including exploring opportunities, receiving necessary education and training, and credentialing. Finally, sleep medicine is rapidly evolving to embrace concepts of team-based care and use of various telehealth technologies. This lecture will discuss where the respiratory care practitioner may fit in this evolving field and recognizing potential opportunities.

Zach Gantt RRT, Livingston TN

Do respiratory therapists really understand the difference between disease management and population health? Understanding and standardizing these models is key to starting either type of program. This lecture will discuss the difference in these two care management categories and key metrics between the two that differentiate one from the other.

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT, Boise ID

This presentation is based on key concepts from Fran London's book that received the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award 2010, titled "No Time to Teach." Learn specific strategies to optimize your patient interactions to better educate your patients.

Jane M Martin BA LRT CRT, Miami FL

Support communities done right - online, in person, or through social media - can be a great source of ongoing information and support for individuals with COPD and other chronic lung diseases. There are increasingly more websites and forums focused on COPD, more than the busy RT has time to research. The COPD Foundation offers a range of community options to meet a variety of patient needs, as well as new resources to help you, the lung health professional, build and promote solid, sustainable patient communities in your hometown.

Garry W Kauffman RRT MPA FAARC FACHE, Winston Salem NC

Understanding and applying the principles of high reliability has been documented to provide the highest level of patient safety. This presentation will provide a review of the principles of high reliability, strategies to achieve high reliability, and concrete examples that the attendee can utilize in their departmental operations to maximize patient safety.

Monica Schibig MA RRT-NPS CPFT, Columbia MO

The RT's role in today's health care arena is far more critical-thinking focused than task oriented. New graduates and seasoned practitioners that are transitioning to a higher acuity or more progressive hospital are faced with the challenge of meeting these new standards and elevated expectations. This presentation reveals how a partnership between the hospital and local school faculty can assist these individuals in advancing their knowledge and skills to move forward confidently and competently in their new role.

Nancy Johnson RRT-NPS, Cleveland OH

With the increase in availability of devices/gadgets sought and bought by the patient there are challenges in determining whether they're appropriate, they have evidence

Jeffrey M Haynes RRT RPFT FAARC, Nashua NH

The diagnosis of asthma often hinges on the results of a bronchial challenge test. This talk will focus on the strengths and limitations of commonly used challenge tests.

Jody Lester MA RRT, Boise ID

The impact of OSA extends beyond the individual. Patients with OSA are likely to view their disorder as a burden for their spouses. The purpose of this presentation is to more fully understand CPAP adherence by considering the perspectives of both the patient and their spouse. Evidence will be discussed with emphasis on recommendations and implications for interventions to improve CPAP adherence.

Laura Hartman BS RRT-NPS, St Petersburg FL
Anthony DeWitt JD MS RRT FAARC Opelika AL

In an increasingly litigious society, medical providers and the institutions they work for are in a vulnerable state. If proper policies are not in place and providers are not aware of their responsibilities, the consequences can bring harm to patients and jeopardize the practice of providers. As the scope of respiratory therapy has expanded, policies need to protect therapists. This lecture will help to identify potential shortcomings of policies, and how to amend them to ensure proper coverage for the institution.

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted education grant from

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted education grant from

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT, Boise ID

Are you wondering how simulation is paid for? The cost of simulation and how to budget for this expensive learning opportunity will be discussed. The speaker will share what they found other simulation centers were doing and ultimately what their center has done to fund simulation. Additionally, how outside users such as Respiratory are charged for the use of the simulation center.

Michael W Hess BS RRT, Bethlehem PA

Recent efforts to reduce COPD-related readmissions and improve access to telehealth have led to a number of innovative programs to improve patient education. This presentation covers the experience of creating and administrating an RT-operated COPD support/education group on Facebook, including the rationale of using social media and the results of a survey on the impact of the group on patient-perceived knowledge and quality of life.

Jessica Schweller MS RRT RN CNP, Columbus OH

From obesity hypoventilation to overlap syndrome, hypoventilation syndromes can be difficult to diagnose and treat. When is bi-level therapy inadequate and what other treatment modalities should be used? This lecture will define the various types of hypoventilation syndromes and discuss when treatment should go beyond just bi-level therapy.

Bob Miller BS RRT, Tampa FL

The presentation will entail details of a new department leader's 15 month inspirational journey to revitalizing, re-tooling, and rebuilding a respiratory department in a 500-bed acute-care tertiary facility that was in great need of direction and leadership. The new procedures included: Implementation of therapist-driven protocols; investments in advanced technologies to provide efficient and effective therapies despite corporate supply chain restraints; expansion of the scope of clinical practice to include higher level invasive procedures; and, staffing replenishments with additions of over 20 new FTE positions to facilitate a new focus on an optimal disease management, and a patient-centric care model of delivering care.

Craig Smallwood RRT, Boston MA

Often the forgotten vital sign, capnography can have a valuable role in the respiratory monitoring of the neonatal and pediatric population. This presentation will review the concepts of time and volume-based capnography and discuss potential clinical applications. Available data supporting the use of capnography will be reviewed.

Vernon Pertelle MBA RRT FACHE, Oceanside CA

The needs of the patient come first. This is the crux of managing the care of the complex pulmonary patient throughout the continuum of care. In today's modern era, timely access and connectivity is playing a greater role in how patients are cared for in various care environments. Telehealth and specialized RTs in coordination with mid-level providers help to identify and define "quality healthcare interventions" that help to enhance clinical access to services that historically were not covered with reimbursement. These are essential themes for future success of the role of the RT.

Lee Guion MA RRT FAARC, San Francisco CA

Breathing disorders are often recognized as the leading cause of complications and mortality in a patient with neurorespiratory disease. The RT plays a vital role in caring for this patient population. Understanding why these patients are prone to pulmonary complications and how they are treated/prevented can greatly improve their quality and even length of life.

Anthony DeWitt JD MS RRT FAARC, Opelika AL

With the dramatic changes and challenges within the health care industry, what is seen as the most important element of success and failure is the ethics, behaviors, quality, and professionalism of the employees. This presentation will focus on how managers can make the best hiring decisions, how to manage employees individually without losing the common expectations of the department and organization and, as necessary, how to best ?manage out? the employee who can?t fulfill the demands of the position.

Robert L Chatburn MHHS RRT-NPS FAARC, Cleveland OH

Optimization of patient-ventilator synchrony has been associated with improved clinical outcomes. This presentation will review the concepts to promote a better understanding of patient-ventilator interactions and will discuss strategies to improve patient-ventilator synchrony.