Article Topics

For Immediate Release

Dallas (November 20, 2003) — The American Association for Respiratory Care has put together a list of lung health topics that may be of interest to the readers across the nation. Additionally, the Association will have experts on hand during or following the AARC International Respiratory Congress.

Respiratory Therapists
What do they do?
How do you become one?
Where do they work?
Future outlook for employment.
Where can I find a respiratory school?

Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Signs and symptoms
Spread of the disease
Precautions to take
Risk of another outbreak
Role of the Respiratory Therapist

Neonatal Care
Caring for the premature infant
Progress in field Neonatology
Role of the Respiratory Therapist in neonatal care
Home care of discharged neonatal infants

Asthma
Diagnosis
Treatment protocols
Asthma medications
Adherence to treatment, and follow-up care
Quality of care issues
Pediatric asthma (infants to teens)
Avoiding unnecessary trips to emergency rooms
Adult asthma
Geriatric asthma
Medication adherence
Responding to asthma emergencies
Role of the respiratory therapist

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diagnosis
Treatment protocols
Lung reduction surgery
Follow-up care
Improving medical instruction adherence
Home oxygen
Medications
Assistive devices to deliver medication
Reimbursement issues for those with home oxygen or rehabilitation issues
Sleep disorders; sleep apnea, narcolepsy
Undiagnosed emphysema
Prognosis
Polypharmacy
Comorbidity  
Home safety issues
Issues in caring for the geriatric patient
Role of the respiratory therapist

Cystic Fibrosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Medications
Future outlook
Role of the respiratory therapist

Influenza/Pneumonia Immunizations
Who should get immunizations?
Poor adherence of immunizations
Guidelines and timelines for immunizations
Role of the respiratory therapist 

Lung Cancer
Diagnosis
Staging
Treatments
Outlook for new treatment
How do you know whether you are getting the best treatments?
Clinical trials
Assistance for those with and families suffering from lung cancer
Role of the respiratory therapist

ICU Care
Understanding ICU care (why are you admitted to ICU and what kind of care should you expect while in ICU)
Mechanical ventilation what to expect and how you can best help the patient
Advance directive
Talking to health care professionals
Role of the respiratory therapist

General Hospital Care
What does accreditation tell you?
What do I do when the care is sub-standard?
Medical errors in hospitals
Avoiding medical mistakes
Role of the respiratory therapist

Preventive Care
Smoking cessation: what works and what does not
Tips to quit
Health benefits of quitting
Nutrition
Exercise
Home safety
Assistive devices for the home

End-of-Life Care
Define hospice, palliative care, and end-of-life care
Benefits of hospice
Care of the dying person
Advance directives
Explain symptom care
Resources for families
Role of the respiratory therapist
Communication between patients/families and health care professionals

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Contact:
Sherry Milligan
Communications Manager
972-406-4690, Milligan@aarc.org