AARC’s Asthma Education Seminar Planned in LOS ANGELES
For Immediate Release
IRVING, TX (January 10, 2005)—The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) offers a unique continuing education program for respiratory therapists, nurses and other health care practitioners interested in asthma care. The seminar, Asthma Educator Certification Preparation Course, is planned for February 19–20, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.
The program is the first step for those who wish to earn the Asthma Educator-Certified credential (AE-C) from the National Asthma Educator Certification Board (NAECB).
“The course helps attendees prepare for the NAECB examination and is based on the content of the examination,” says William H. Dubbs, RRT, AARC Director of Education.” Dubbs notes that “this course is unique in that in gives attendees individualized feedback from course faculty that will help them determine how prepared they are for the exam.” Dubbs also stated that “by attending the Course and later earning the AE-C credential, individuals can improve their value to their patients and their employer.”
According to the NAEPP, asthma disease management is an important component in improving patient health. This course provides attendees with the tools to successfully treat patients with asthma. Key areas include: pathophysiology, epidemiology, pharmacology, pulmonary function, assessment, environmental factors, identification, remediation, patient self-management, disease management planning, protocols, and outcomes. With the U.S. incidence of asthma rising to more than 12 million diagnosed cases and an additional 12 million undiagnosed, the specific skills taught in this class will prove invaluable.
The faculty members are accomplished clinicians in asthma care and experienced educators. Mari Jones, RRT FNP FAARC AE-C who practices at Mid-South Pulmonary Specialists in Memphis, TN; Bill Galvin, MSEd, RRT, CPFT is a respiratory therapist at Gwynedd Mercy College in Gwynedd Valley, PA; Thomas J. Kallstrom, RRT, FAARC AE-C, an asthma educator and panelist for the NAEPP, works at Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, OH; and Timothy R. Myers, BS, RRT-NPS practices at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH are all scheduled to speak.
Respiratory therapists and nurses earn continuing education credit for this course. From the AARC, respiratory therapists earn 10.25 hours of continuing respiratory care education (CRCE™). For nurses, the Illinois Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation, has approved this nursing education activity for 12.3 hours of CE. The seminar is recommended for respiratory therapists, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals interested in becoming an AE-C. This course requires that participants have basic knowledge and skills in asthma management.
Detailed information about the course, registration, travel, and lodging is available at http://www.aarc.org/education/meetings/admp_losangeles/.
Those who register by January 24 will save on course fees: $295 for AARC nonmembers and $200 for AARC members. Registration January 25 through February 9, the costs increase to $315 for AARC nonmembers and $215 for AARC members.
The American Association for Respiratory Care is a professional membership organization of 36,500 respiratory therapists dedicated to respiratory therapy education and research. Among its goals are to advocate on behalf of pulmonary patients for appropriate access to respiratory services provided by qualified professionals and to benefit respiratory health care providers.
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Contact: Sherry Milligan, Communications Manager
milligan@aarc.org or 972-406-4656
