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 2006 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.

2006 Programs

Program 1
Disaster Preparedness—What Happens When the Lights Go Out?

Reviews one hospital’s response to a natural disaster. Also reviews important issues that need to be addressed and identifies policies and procedures to maximize patient safety when respiratory therapy services must be delivered during disasters that may eliminate customary key patient care resources.

Presenters:
Kathy Ehlers, BS, RRT
Rich Branson, MSc, RRT, FAARC

Order item PR6001

Program 2
The Hottest Trends in Patient Safety Initiatives

Presents newer strategies to eliminate medical errors and improve patent safety. Specific strategies for reducing medication errors and unplanned extubations are discussed and ventilator bundles, Rapid Response Teams and other similar strategies and innovations are presented.

Presenters:
Karen Stewart, MS, RRT
Sam Giordano, MBA, RRT

Order item PR6002

Program 3
Managing ARDS: Are You Using All the Tools?

Discusses the modern strategies in the management of ARDS including the efficacy of prone positioning, fluid management, PEEP, volume vs. pressure-targeted ventilation, monitoring mechanical ventilation, the role of bio-markers, and inhalation therapies for ARDS.

Presenters:
Ray Ritz, BS, RRT, FAARC
Rich Branson, MSc, RRT, FAARC

Order item PR6003

Program 4
MDIs & DPIs in Aerosol Therapy: It's More Than Just Breathing!

The proliferation of an increasing variety of metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers devices has resulted in a confusing number of choices for the clinician, as well as confusion for patients trying to use these devices correctly. This program will summarize the current information discussed at the 2005 Respiratory Care Journal Conference on Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs) and Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs) in Aerosol Therapy.

Presenters:
Rajiv Dhand, MD, FAARC
Sam Giordano, MBA, RRT

Order item PR6004

Program 5
"But We've Always Done It That Way!" An Evidence-Based Clinical Update

This evidence-based clinical update reviews therapy tenets held sacred by those who became respiratory therapists years ago but are now refuted by evidence-based practice. Examples include 6 vs. 10-12 ml/kg tidal volumes, the use of NPPV for COPD patients in ventilatory failure, substituting MDIs and DPIs for SVN's, and spontaneous breathing trials as an indicator for ventilator liberation attempts.

Presenters:
Dean Hess, Ph.D. RRT, FAARC
Bill Dubbs, MEd, MHA, RRT, FAARC

Order item PR6005

Program 6
Medical Management of Asthma. Are You Up to Date?

Reviews the evidence supporting pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of asthma and presents an update on beta agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, anticholinergics, anti-lukotrienes, phosphodiasterase inhibitors, and Anti-IgE agents in the treatment of asthma.

Presenters:
Mari Jones, ARPN, RRT, FAARC
Tom Kallstrom, BS, RRT, AE-C, FAARC

Order item PR6006

Program 7
Pediatric Essentials for Therapists Who Work Primarily with Adults

This program will discuss critical survival skills for respiratory therapists who do not customarily work with pediatric patients but occasionally must become involved in their emergency care when they are admitted with respiratory emergencies. Pathophysiology leading to pulmonary emergencies and approaches to treatment is addressed.

Presenters:
Tom Kallstrom, BS, RRT, AE-C, FAARC
Tim Myers, BS, RRT-NPS

Order item PR6007

Program 8
Pulmonary Rehabilitation: What You Need to Know to Do It Right

Reviews current evidence supporting pulmonary rehabilitation; discusses key outcomes and the resources required for a successful program.

Presenters:
Brian Carlin, MD, FAARC
Trina Limberg, RRT, FAARC

Order item PR6008

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

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