Concurrent Therapy Document Speaks to Patient Safety
April 12, 2002
The AARC has a reputation for putting patient safety first. And now in a groundbreaking document, the Association has spoken out once more to promote safe and effective care. In a white paper released today, the AARC speaks out against the practice of concurrent therapy, or stacking.The paper states: "Patient safety is the primary reason for respiratory therapists not to deliver care via concurrent therapy without a thorough patient assessment. Indiscriminate use of concurrent therapy may lead to declines in quality and may jeopardize patient safety. Aerosolized medications administered during treatments have potential adverse reactions. Recognition of these reactions is not possible if the patient is left unattended and thus a safety hazard exists."
In the white paper, protocols are identified as one of the best means of bringing efficiency to the system in order to eliminate concurrent therapy practices. But if protocols are not an option, the AARC recommends that a policy and procedure be developed to govern the practice of concurrent therapy that would include assessment of the appropriateness of the order based on AARC's Clinical Practice Guidelines. Additionally there are times when patients can be moved to a self-treatment program and avoid demand on the therapist's time. More details on these alternatives are in the white paper. "Ultimately, it is the ethical and professional responsibility of respiratory therapists to assure their patients receive both safe and effective care of the highest quality," states the paper.
The Association has been working on this paper for many months, and recently approved the paper for public distribution. "We know that this paper may spur some controversy," said Mike Runge of Bismarck ND and member of the committee that developed the document, "but we're issuing it because it's the right thing to do. Patient safety must come first and concurrent therapy jeopardizes safe and effective care."
