Past Programs
The AARC’s Professor’s Rounds series has consistently presented the most current information available to improve the knowledge and skills of respiratory therapists. This cost-effective approach of providing continuing education for your staff has an outstanding lineup of topics and speakers.

Each participant earns 1 CRCE credit for each topic and may earn up to 8 CRCE credits for participation in the entire 2005 series.

We would like to thank our Sponsors for supporting Professor’s Rounds through unrestricted educational grants. The AARC has the sole responsibility of assuring appropriate educational content of Professor’s Rounds.

2005 Programs

Program 1
Sleep Disordered Breathing: Implications for Acute Care Respiratory Therapists
This presentation explores the pathophysiology and consequences of unrecognized sleep disordered breathing. It teaches you about the implications for patients, including cardiac patients, admitted to the acute care hospital who are at risk of exacerbation of sleep disorder breathing due to their acute illness, sleep deprivation, use of medication for pain or sleep, and post-op recovery or complications.

Presenters:
Robert Albers, MD
Suzanne M Bollig, RRT RPSGT R.EEGT

Order Item PR5001

Program 2
Developing a Successful Tobacco Cessation Program
This presentation feature a panel of experts describing the essential elements of a successful tobacco intervention program. It also teaches you how to market the program to your community, including patients, physicians, and corporations.

Presenters:
Fred Seifer, MD, Stephen Reed, Steve Wilson,
Michael Mark, BS RRT RN

Order Item PR5002

Program 3
Treating Patients with Neuromuscular Disease
The leading cause of death in individuals with neuromuscular disease is pneumonia and respiratory failure. This program teaches you how to apply common sense management to reduce respiratory complications and prolong life. Also discusses the pathophysiology of respiratory impairment in neuromuscular disease and appropriate treatment options.

Presenters:
Joshua Benditt, MD
David J Pierson, MD FAARC

Order Item PR5003

Program 4
The Current State of Pharmacotherapy for Asthma and COPD
This presentation reviews the current drug therapies for asthma and COPD, based on national and international consensus guidelines. Also discusses the new evidence on the use of bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and newer drug therapies such as IgE blocking therapy. You’ll learn the clinical role of these drug groups in asthma and COPD.

Presenters:
Joseph L Rau, PhD RRT FAARC
Sam P Giordano, MBA RRT FAARC

Order Item PR5004

Program 5
ARDS: What Have We Learned from ARDS-NET
The mortality from ARDS has improved over the last two decades. This improvement has been attributed to greater awareness of ventilator induced lung injury and the consequent use of lung protective ventilatory strategies. Seminal clinical trials from the NIH ARDS Network have been a major force behind these advancements. This course will teach you how to apply this knowledge in your care setting.

Presenters:
Neil R MacIntyre, MD FAARC
Richard D Branson, MS RRT FAARC

Order Item PR5005

Program 6
Neonatal Care from the Delivery Room to the NICU
Although most newborns make a successful transition from fetal to neonatal existence, problems may arise which imperil intact survival. This program provides instruction on timely and effective management of the distressed newborn in the delivery room and neonatal intensive care unit. This presentation also teaches the major elements of neonatal resuscitation and stabilization, including the establishment and maintenance of effective oxygenation, use of surfactant, ventilation, and circulation.

Presenters:
Steven M Donn, MD
Timothy R Myers, BS RRT

Order Item PR5006

Program 7
Weaning Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation Patients in LTACHs
The long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) has become an increasingly popular setting for weaning patients from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). This course will discuss why LTACHs are ideal environments for therapist-implemented weaning protocols. Plus, you will learn about the results of a recent consensus conference on PMV and weaning. And, you will learn about the new technologies for liberation from PMV.

Presenters:
Kent L Christopher, MD RRT
Sam P Giordano, MBA RRT FAARC

Order Item PR5007

Program 8
Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation: Update 2005
There is increasing high-level evidence to support the use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure. This program will teach you how to identify patient candidates for NIPP ventilation and how to match them with the appropriate device. Plus, you will learn how to use NIPP ventilation for optimum outcomes.

Presenters:
Dean R Hess, PhD RRT FAARC
David J Pierson, MD FAARC

Order Item PR5008

2004 Programs

Program 1
Heliox and Nitric Oxide—Getting the Most of Alternative Gas Therapies

The presentation will discuss the clinical applications and technical considerations for the use of heliox and inhaled nitric oxide. Scientific literature and patient safety data for the application of alternative gas therapy will be reviewed.

Presenters:
Mike Gentile, BS, RRT, Duke University Medical Center
Dean Hess, RRT, PhD, FAARC, Massachusetts General Hospital

Order Item PR4001

Program 2
Controversies in the Management of Pediatric Asthma

This presentation will focus on several topics in the management of pediatric asthma that remain controversial and influence the respiratory therapist. We will discuss the rational use of peak flow meters and PFTs in both acute and chronic asthma management. Additionally, choices of aerosolized bronchodilators and methods of delivering them will be explored.

Presenters:
Carolyn Kercsmar, MD, Case Western Reserve University
Tim Myers, BS, RRT, Case Western Reserve University

Order Item PR4002

Program 3
Transitioning the Ventilator Dependent Patient from the Hospital to the Home

This presentation will focus on the requirements and obstacles faced by respiratory therapists transitioning mechanically ventilated patients from hospital to the home. Key areas of discussion include the clinical challenges and requirements, technical concerns and needs, family/caregiver and environmental issues and reimbursement.

Presenters:
Joseph Lewarski, BS, RRT, Hytech Homecare
Tom Kallstrom, RRT, FAARC, AE-C, Fairview Hospital

Order Item PR4003

Program 4
Getting the Most from the Mist: Current and Future Aerosol Delivery

This program will review the various aerosol delivery devices that are currently in use and other promising devices that are under development. Historically, therapeutic aerosols were principally employed for treatment of asthma and COPD. With recent improvements in aerosol technology, it is now possible to deliver inhaled drugs with high efficiency and precision. Significant improvements in the efficiency and consistency of drug delivery with newer aerosol delivery devices have significantly improved the potential for wider application of inhaled therapies.

Presenters:
Rajiv Dhand, MD, University of Missouri
Joe Rau, PhD, RRT, FAARC. Georgia State University

Order Item PR4004

Program 5
What You Need to Know About Predicting and Preventing Airway Compromise

This presentation will review simple and complex methods of airway management including the use of exhaled CO2 monitoring and the newest airway maintenance laryngeal mask airways. Use of special devices including fiberoptic optic methods will be covered. The role of invasive and surgical airways in dealing with life-threatening conditions will be discussed.

Presenters:
Charles Durbin, MD, FAARC, University of Virginia
Richard Branson, BA, RRT FAARC, University of Cincinnati

Order Item PR4005

Program 6
Quality Control and Practice Variation in Mechanical Ventilation

Each year, thousands of patients in the United States are mechanically ventilated and receive respiratory care. We know from many fields in medicine that the best clinical practice guidelines are frequently not implemented at the bedside. In this presentation, we will review techniques for implementing the best possible respiratory care at every bedside.

Presenters:
Gordon Rubenfeld, MD, MSc, Harborview Medical Center
David Pierson MD, FAARC, Harborview Medical Center

Order Item PR4006

Program 7
Using AARC CPGs to Improve Effectiveness and Safety in Patient Care

A clinical practice guideline is a systematically developed statement to help clinicians deliver appropriate care in specific clinical circumstances. The AARC clinical practice guidelines have made a large impact on respiratory care practice. In this program, strategies will be discussed to use the AARC clinical practice guidelines to improve effectiveness and safety in patient care.

Presenters:
Dean Hess, RRT, PhD, FAARC, Massachusetts General Hospital
Richard Branson, BA, RRT, FAARC, University of Cincinnati

Order Item PR4007

Program 8
Prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia: The Role of the Respiratory Therapist

Nosocomial pneumonia is common and potentially preventable complication of mechanical ventilation. Numerous strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia have been identified. Many of these strategies are relatively inexpensive and should be easily incorporated into usual respiratory therapy practice. This program will focus on the role of the respiratory therapist in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Presenters:
Dean Hess, RRT, PhD, FAARC, Massachusetts General Hospital
Richard Branson, BA, RRT, FAARC, University of Cincinnati

Order Item PR4008

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