Brian K Walsh PhD RRT FAARC/Co-Presiding

This is the official Annual Business Meeting of the AARC 2018 AARC Officers, Board of Directors, and Officers from the House of Delegates are installed. Reports from AARC leadership are presented. The meeting concludes with an address from 2017/2018 AARC President, Brian K. Walsh.

Renee Wunderley BS RRT-NPS

Teams from the AARC State Societies compete in the preliminary competitions. The top four teams will advance to the Finals on Friday evening, October 6 along with the Student Sputum Bowl finalists.

Sponsored by

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted education grant from

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted education grant from

Garner Faulkner II BS RRT AE-C, El Cajon CA

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not a respiratory disease yet respiratory failure is the leading cause of death and terminal dyspnea is a major fear among patients with ALS. Respiratory therapists are uniquely qualified to provide much of the care and support these patients so desperately need to improve their quality of life and extend their survival. This lecture will focus on the unique features of neuromuscular respiratory failure treatment goals and the important role of the respiratory therapist in the management of these patients.

Dean R. Hess PhD RRT FAARC , Boston MA

To many, if not most of us in health care leadership "research" is not something we learned in RT school. Additionally many of us do not have the resources to do clinical research within our organization. This lecture will take some of the mystery out of the language of research.

Dario Rodriquez Jr. MSc RRT FAARC , Cincinnati OH

The ability to utilize high-frequency ventilation during patient transport has been realized during the past few years. This lecture will look at the pros and cons of high frequency ventilation during transport.

Dennis J Guillot PhD RRT CSCS , Thibodaux LA

This presentation will discuss the effect of sleep deprivation on physical and mental performance and address strategies to limit the effect of deprivation.

Kim Bennion MHS RRT CHC , Salt Lake City UT

The presenter will share her intimate journey with her mother during the final stages of her COPD as she sought palliative and hospice care orders, end-of-life discussions, and the impact of "last dose syndrome."

Garner Faulkner II BS RRT AE-C , El Cajon CA

This presentation is intended to help the RCP/PFT specialist identify the importance of PFTs in the patient with neuromuscular disease (NMD). Often PFTs in the NMD patient are also used as a screening tool for implementation of further respiratory modalities. Since no one specific test predicts the course of NMD, it is suggested that multiple types be used to increase the precision of diagnosis and improve monitoring.

Robert L Chatburn MHHS RRT-NPS FAARC , Cleveland OH

As our health care system transitions to a value-based system, the manager of respiratory care must determine the clinical areas of practice in which the respiratory therapist plays the most important role. This lecture will show managers how to determine the value of the respiratory therapist within this new environment.

Edd Shope RN NRP , Raleigh NC

Since the early 2000s transportation of a patient on ECMO has risen slowly but steadily. This lecture will discuss the latest issues and resolution of issues related to the transportation of these patients. The 2015 guidelines for transportation of ECMO patients will also be reviewed.

Jessica Schweller MS CNP RRT-SDS RN , Columbus OH

This presentation will include discussion and interactive case presentation regarding indications, device algorithms, and troubleshooting of adaptive servo ventilation for central sleep apnea.

Researchers and clinicians present the results of their work in this Posters Only session. Authors are available from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm for questions and interaction.

Supported by an unrestricted education grant from

Tabatha Dragonberry MEd RRT-NPS AE-C ACCS CPFT C-NPT , Coral Springs FL

As transport RTs we work in confined spaces and look to maximize equipment configuration. For this lecture we reached out to the transport RT community comparing their set-ups and what works for them. Learn from your peers how to configure equipment for transport.

Jessica Schweller MS CNP RRT-SDS RN , Columbus OH

This presenter will discuss use of auto PAP in the inpatient setting and the implications on the hospital and the RT with regards to cost, training, and supply.

Courtney Rowan MD, Indianapolid IN

While managing the immunocompetent pediatric patient with ARDS can be challenging, the approach to the severely immunocompromised is even more difficult. This presentation will review the available literature and discuss various approaches to optimize outcome for respiratory failure in the immunocompromised child.

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC , Sellersville PA

This lecture reviews adverse event reporting and how it relates to health care workers, and specifically, to a respiratory therapist. The reasons practitioners have difficulty in reporting events will be explored and up-to-date state/national statistics will be reviewed.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and to participate.

Section members meet to determine their needs and priorities, as well as how to use AARC resources to accomplish them. All Congress attendees, including section non-members, are invited to attend and participate.

Crystal Dunlevy EdD RRT , Columbus OH

We cannot expect everyone to be culturally competent with every minority group (ethnic and otherwise), but we should all make an effort to be culturally sensitive and aware. This presentation will cover what questions to ask (and how to ask them) in order to make every patient feel like they are being heard and respected with regard to their cultural needs.

Troy Whittaker BS MHA RRT , Salt Lake City UT

This lecture is a report on the results, patient outcomes, and readmission data of the Tele-COPD pilot program currently underway at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Amanda Richter MHA RRT-NPS ACCS RPFT , Kempner TX

With the continued growth of technology and new practices in respiratory therapy across the country many staff therapists are finding opportunities to professionally grow into the supervisory ranks. Although many good therapists feel prepared for such a transition, some find it more difficult than anticipated. This presentation discusses components of preparation for a successful transition into supervising a therapy team. This presentation will explore strategic and tactical tools as well as philosophical and practical points to consider.

Edd Shope RN NRP , Raleigh NC

This lecture will discuss both current and ongoing controversies in transport. Topics will include the decision to use or not use emergency lights during ground transport and the decision to transport a patient by air vs ground transport and more.

Rich Kallet MS RRT FAARC , San Francisco CA

VAP continues to be a common and expensive complication in the hospital. This lecture will focus on respiratory care interventions to prevent and treat VAP.

Kimberly S Wiles RRT CPFT , Kittanning PA

Numerous obstacles exist in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. This lecturer will discuss how these obstacles do not have to be road blocks but only "bumps in the road." Developing a model that overcomes barriers drives quality outcomes; a successful patient experience is key to self-management.

Ioana Cristea MD , Indianapolis IN

Despite decades of experience in the management of the infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, ventilator management remains inconsistent. This presentation will describe optimal approaches to ventilator management including approaches to assist with determining the optimal PEEP for each patient.

Ellen Becker PhD RRT-NPS RPFT AE-C FAARC , Chicago IL

The AARC set a goal in 2015 for 80% of all respiratory therapists to have a bachelor's degree by 2020. This presentation will highlight the ways that educators in associate and baccalaureate degree programs can help RT students in associate degree programs plan to complete a bachelor's degree. Further, RT managers will learn how to guide working therapists toward helpful resources for completing this advanced degree.

Micaela Sarazen RRT BSRT , Sacramento CA

This lecture will explore a program (utilizing FaceTime and iChat devices) that allows neuromuscular patients and their caregivers to receive quick answers to their questions. A respiratory support pilot program showed improvements in all outcome parameters and will be presented at this lecture.

Jon C Inkrott RRT-ACCS , Orlando FL

It has been well established and demonstrated that noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can reduce intubation and mortality rates in patients with acute exacerbation of respiratory failure in COPD and congestive heart failure patients. By contrast, the benefit of NIV in the de novo hypoxemic patient remains unclear. So when is NIV failing? When do you intubate the patient prior to transport? We will explore case studies which define these patients and discuss the outcomes.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Lutana Haan MHS RRT RPSGT , Boise ID

An overview of the body's biological clock will be presented with a focus on an understanding of our own and our patients' responses to circadian timing. Learn methods to best interact with our 24-hour clock.

PRO: Matthew McNally BS RRT , Lebanon NH
CON: Dave Crotwell RRT-NPS FAARC Seattle WA

Many respiratory care directors lead their departments to cover multiple specialized areas of care (MICU SICU PICU NICU ED). This is particularly challenging, especially with regard to deciding whether to create specialty-trained RTs who only work in these units or to train all RTs to cover all units. With both models, there are obvious advantages and disadvantages, as you'll hear from both presenters. Given the two sides to this issue, each of the presenters will do their best to convince you to select their methodology, both arguing that their model will provide the highest quality and most cost-effective care for their patients.

Diane Oldfather MHEd RRT FAARC , Rolla MO

In this era of "do more with less" it is often difficult to get buy-in from highly skilled RRTs to participate in the training of future therapists. What can be done to encourage their involvement? Is there a way to balance their workload career goals and participate in training students? Attend this presentation to discover how to develop potential tactics to benefit communities of interest, get more bang for your buck, and create a win-win situation!

Zach Gantt RRT, Livingston TN

Technology innovation in post-acute care offers the opportunity to extend care relationships into the post-acute arena. These innovations are hard to keep up with, hard to manage, and even harder to integrate into your current electronic charting/management systems. This presentation will outline the integration process.

Joe Hylton MA RRT-ACCS/NPS NRP FAARC , Charlotte NC

Patients experiencing illness from trauma require rapid assessment and often require critical interventions for stabilization. This presentation will discuss resuscitation and stabilization techniques along with life-saving interventions that can be performed.

Meena Khan MD, Columbus OH

The presenter will give a discussion and interactive case presentation regarding indications, device types, and troubleshooting methods for noninvasive ventilation in SDB and obesity hypoventilation.

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from

Researchers and clinicians present findings of studies on aerosol therapy, mechanical ventilation, neonatal and pediatric care, education, management, and every other mode of practice in our profession.

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from

Crystal Dunlevy EdD RRT , Columbus OH

All of us carry implicit biases based upon a lifetime of experiences and interactions. It is important to be aware of these so that we can minimize the impact that they have on patient care and outcomes. This presentation will briefly review the definition of implicit bias as well as how to determine individual bias. The majority of the presentation will describe and discuss strategies that have been proven to reduce implicit bias

Frederic D Seifer MD FCCP

One of the key challenges in chronic disease management is often related to bad behaviors that need to be changed by the patient. Respiratory care practitioners should lead the charge in understanding dynamic dialogue to cause the needed behavior modifications

Peggy Reed-Watts MS RRT , Saint Louis MO

The key vehicle to leveling the workload is by changing select respiratory services administration times. This requires support from pharmacy, nursing, and information technology. The speaker will describe 7 steps taken to implement a process that offered a stronger alternative to the current administration of respiratory scheduled services. Tools created and used during this process will be shared.

Dario Rodriquez Jr. MSc RRT FAARC , Cincinnati OH

As the use of noninvasive ventilation has dramatically increased in recent years, the demand for transportation of these patients has also increased. This lecture will review difficulties encountered during transport of patients on NIV and the current literature on this growing practice.

Peter Gay MD FCCP , Rochester MN

PAP therapy has been the standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea but compliance remains a problem. This lecture will discuss alternative treatment options that exist for sleep apnea.

Nicholas J Macmillan BGS RRT FAARC , Bargersville IN

Integrated Care Models (ICMs) and incentives for decreased readmissions are being explored as payer's transition away from traditional care models. Hospitals are beginning to partner with HME companies who can play a pivotal role in working with vulnerable patient populations. This session will identify key steps for HME RTs to prove their value with measurable data and deliverables that improve outcomes.

Dianne L Lewis MS RRT FAARC , Naples FL

RTs are qualified to do hospital case management not just with pulmonary patients. This presentation will include a personal experience of one RRT who has done it and will explain how others can do so. Also, it will review the criteria for RRTs to take the case management certification and how the AARC enabled RRTs to qualify for the exam.

Jon C Inkrott RRT-ACCS , Orlando FL

This presentation will expand on the definition of a Just Culture and relate this to the current practices used during inter- and intra-facility transport to ensure patient safety. It will also look at some of the pitfalls and mistakes that professionals make that can lead to a disastrous outcome for all involved.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Peter Gay MD FCCP , Rochester MN

Millions of patients undergo surgery every day that may have obstructive sleep apnea. In order to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes in the post-operative patient, it is imperative that we improve perioperative care by identifying patients with confirmed or suspected OSA. This lecture will discuss how perioperative programs can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes for OSA patients receiving sedation.

David M Wheeler M. Ed. RRT-NPS FAARC , Charleston SC

This discussion will utilize videos of human, canine, and porcine lungs in the ex-vivo state to illustrate the authenticities of conventional clinical interventions. This lecture will concentrate on clinical adjuncts that can both enhance safety and improve quality through mindful, evidence-based application of mechanical ventilation. Participants will see real lungs in real time authentically demonstrating the consequences of our interventions both strategic and unintentional.