A study published ahead of print by Hospital Topics on Oct. 17 found a COPD inpatient education program using existing respiratory therapy staff in an academic health system in Pennsylvania reduced hospital length of stay and associated costs. AARC member Daniel Ofak, RRT, RRT-NPS, who recently took on a new job as director of respiratory… Read more »
Read MorePatient care reaches far beyond the hospital doors. And it’s through patient education opportunities where your care exponentially expands. Mike Hess, MPH, RRT, RPFT, a lung disease coordinator in Michigan, shares his tips in looking beyond the basics when it comes to COPD patient education opportunities. Know your medicine “First and foremost, I always recommend… Read more »
Read MoreCamp Breathless proved to be an invaluable education opportunity for patients with COPD. Fostering an environment where your patients with COPD can take ownership of their disease, learning to best manage and recognize their symptoms. This starts with patient education. Mary Hart, MS, RRT, AEC, FAARC, FCCP, offers her tips and advice for helping educate… Read more »
Read MoreIn keeping with November as COPD Awareness Month, the AARC participated in a recent meeting convened by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to discuss progress members of the COPD community have made in meeting goals and objectives laid out in the COPD National Action Plan (CNAP). Representatives from organizations from across the… Read more »
Read MoreImproving quality of life for your patients—particularly those working to manage their COPD—remains a top priority for respiratory therapists. Helping your patients stay strong, healthy, and knowledgeable to manage their symptoms, thereby avoiding the hospital, helps strengthen their quality of life. Julie Smith, MHA, RRT, manager of respiratory care and ECLS services at Unity Point… Read more »
Read MoreRespiratory therapists play a key role in caring for patients with COPD. Because of this, RTs have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact in delivering care. We checked in with Post-Acute Care Chair Adam Mullaly, BSRT, RRT, AE-C, a COPD navigator with Bryn Mawr Hospital, for his input on this topic. Here’s what… Read more »
Read MoreCOPD can be a devastating disease, but when caught in the early stages, the prognosis is encouraging for patients who follow their treatment regimen and make the lifestyle changes necessary to slow the progress. The problem is, most patients aren’t diagnosed until the condition has done significant damage to the lungs and quality of life… Read more »
Read MoreYou hear a lot of buzz these days about “patient navigators” — clinicians responsible for helping patients make their way through the health care system. Respiratory therapists are increasingly being asked to take on the role of COPD navigator for patients with this often-complicated chronic lung disease, and on first blush the job might… Read more »
Read More“COPD has remained as one of the top five causes of death in America for years,” said Gabrielle N. Davis MPH, RRT-ACCS, NPS, CTTS, CHES. “Regardless of readmissions, nicotine addiction attributes to this rate.” Helping patients with nicotine cessation targets the goal to increase the quality of life for the patient. “Because COPD is an… Read more »
Read MoreWhat does it mean to help COPD patients avoid having to go to the hospital? How is this a benefit for the patient? AARC member Renato Galindo, BSRC, RRT, CPFT, AE-C, shared his thoughts on the subject as well as tips for RTs. What does it mean to help COPD patients avoid having to go… Read more »
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