PRO: Brian K Walsh PhD RRT-NPS FAARC , Boston MA
CON: Kathleen DeakinsMHA RRT NPS FAARC Cleveland OH

Many clinicians have strong beliefs for or against the use of secretion clearance techniques for the previously healthy patient with acute respiratory failure. In this interactive session, two experts in the field will review the available data and debate this controversy from opposing perspectives. Time will be allocated for open discussion with the audience.

Debra Wakeham M.Ed RRT , Atlanta GA

When we asked staff about recent graduates that had joined our ranks they agreed, "They are just not ready!" We had also noticed a high turnover rate of new graduates. Further questioning showed a recurrent theme: they were overwhelmed by the expectations placed on them. This presentation will describe the process and plan to address these issues and more with a residency program for new graduates entering the workforce as well as seasoned therapists transitioning to a higher acuity setting.

Thomas Berlin DHSc MSc RRT, Orlando FL

Would you like to see proven techniques for getting staff to engage in professional development including specialty credentials and degree advancement? Would you like to have a department morale so high that it results in a sustained 3% annual turnover for a department with >150 RTs? Would you like a real plan for working with other departments to attain hospital care evaluations that are nationally ranked? See the data that reveals how our methods work and how they can work for you.

Sarah M Varekojis PhD RRT FAARC , Columbus OH

Clinical educators, managers, and program faculty all have an ethical and legal mandate to ensure the competency of respiratory therapists. This presentation is designed to help participants develop defensible competency assessments that will help ensure the delivery of quality respiratory care.

Teresa A Volsko MBA RRT CMTE FAARC , Akron OH

Coordination along the continuum of care, patient/family education, addressing social needs, and improving access to care are essential to managing the health and financial risks for care in a capitated environment. Resources are needed to meet patient/family needs and remove access and self-management barriers to improve health, reduce emergency room and hospital visits, and improve the quality of life for children with asthma. This lecture will walk through a "day in the life" of an interdisciplinary asthma care management team and highlight the role of the respiratory therapist in reducing the overall cost of care by improving access to care and asthma management in the home and schools.

Karen S Schell DHSc RRT-NPS RRT-SDS RPFT , Kansas City KS

Learn about a unique program for respiratory care, nursing, and medical students that sharpens observational and descriptive skills to improve patient care through communication and team dynamics led by an Art Educator at the Art Museum. Data from this ongoing research project will be reviewed to demonstrate improvement in the student's ability to improve patient care at the bedside using interprofessional communication, patient assessment, and teamwork, by observing art.

Scott Reistad RRT CPFT FAARC , Colorado Springs CO

Recent research has shown that the old belief that some people are born happy/sad or positive/negative is simply a myth. It has now been demonstrated that a person can choose happiness and actually "rewire" their brain through conscious effort. The benefits of choosing happiness include improved creativity, productivity, and leadership ability.

Craig Smallwood BS RRT , Boston MA

This lecture will provide a state-of-the-art overview of essential concepts in continuous bedside data collection, data cleaning, machine learning, and predictive algorithm development. A select number of publications will also be presented in order to demonstrate the promise of predictive bedside decision support as well as pitfalls in neonatal and pediatric patients.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Eric Kriner BS RRT , Washington DC

This presentation will describe post-graduate mechanical ventilation education utilizing clinical simulation. A needs assessment specific to mechanical ventilation will be offered. The components of a curriculum will be discussed, namely the utilization of bench simulations to demonstrate fundamental concepts and immersive simulations to clinically apply those fundamental concepts. Post-course assessment and competency will also be presented.

Bradley A Kuch MHA RRT-NPS FAARC , Pittsburgh PA

Sepsis is associated with an increased risk of the need for critical care intervention and poor outcome. Significant evidence demonstrates early identification and goal-directed resuscitation of children with sepsis improves outcomes. The presentation will review early clinical signs as well as evidence regarding treatment and outcomes. Thoughts regarding future respiratory strategies to optimize outcomes will be considered.

Brian K Walsh PhD RRT-NPS FAARC - AARC President
Michael T Amato MBA - ARCF Chair
Bradley Leidich MSEd RRT FAARC -CoARC President
Robert L Joyner PhD 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!

Craig Rackley MD, Durham NC

This presentation will discuss the long-term survival and quality of life for adult patients following lung transplantation.

Jennifer Anderson EdD RRT-NPS , Wichita Falls TX

The death of a patient is emotionally and physically taxing on health care professionals. From a health care team perspective the bedside providers are likely to experience the highest degree of stress. This presentation will explore coping strategies that cannot be taught from a textbook.

Robert M Kacmarek PhD RRT FAARC , Boston MA

This lecture will provide the rationale for using EIT to monitor distribution of ventilation while providing full control of mechanical ventilation.