In need of some peace, calm and ohhhmm? Join Bobbie Perkins of the Dallas Meditation Center for a guided meditation created specifically for our attendees. Bobbie will guide you through a meditation in a peaceful setting to calm, sooth and relax your mind, body and spirit during this stressful time. Prepare for peace.

COPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Despite progress in the treatment of symptoms and prevention of acute exacerbations, few advances limit disease progression or decrease mortality. The only interventions known to reduce mortality in COPD are smoking cessation and long-term oxygen therapy in patients with resting hypoxemia. There remains significant interest in the role of NIV at home. However, identifying which patients might benefit, the duration and severity of support is unknown. Recent guidelines address these issues, and the evidence will be presented.

The heat of chiles is measured in Scoville Units. Some people like them hot; others … not! Join Catie Anderson, AARC Membership Services Specialist, as she brings the heat to her customizable, party-worthy salsa.

Historically, oxygen has been delivered with only a lower saturation or PaO₂ threshold in mind. The upper threshold is usually not considered. This presentation will examine the literature and attempt to discern whether hyperoxemia needs to be avoided in the ICU.

We rely heavily on pulmonary function testing to diagnose and manage COPD; however, some patients can have significant COPD without abnormal PFTs. This lecture will review the strengths and limitations of using PFTs to diagnose and management COPD.

The online searches, social media, and apps for just about anything continue to increase their presence as mainstream information sources. With all of the information available, do patients know how to find reliable health information? Health information can be confusing and overwhelming, especially for individuals with low health literacy. This presentation provides an overview of the pitfalls and challenges of navigating through digital health resources. Attendees will leave with strategies to close the digital divide to help patients find reliable health information for informed health decisions.

Home Sleep Apnea Tests (HSATs) are becoming more popular due to their portability, cost-efficiency, and convenience. What happens when the HSAT is negative for obstructive sleep apnea, but your patient is still sleepy? Are there instances that retesting is appropriate? Should patients be re-tested with polysomnography or repeat HSAT? Are HSATs even reliable? Learn how to increase your confidence and help advance the practice of sleep medicine.

Ever been interested in learning more about transporting high risk OB patients? We’ve got information for you! Aren’t you afraid mom will deliver in the air? Why transport a mom from one hospital to another when she’s delivering? Are you crazy? These are all questions we will have the answers to!

Researchers and clinicians present their findings in sessions grouped by topic. Authors briefly present their findings and engage in an open discussion with the moderators and attendees.

Bedside ultrasound quickly and accurately assesses acutely ill patients. This lecture will review the technical and clinical applications of lung and pleural ultrasound in acute care.

The 2019 spirometry standards reference reversibility testing as bronchodilator responsiveness. Several definitions of bronchodilator response have been suggested, ranging from 8% to 25%. There are criteria that may suggest using an increase in the percent predicted or z-scores. A meaningful bronchodilator response should be derived from both statistical and clinical considerations the definition of a minimal clinically important difference. The presentation addresses recent studies that expand the definition and understanding of the measurement of bronchial responsiveness.

RT departments are increasingly faced with the challenge of replacing senior staff with new graduate therapists. This discussion will focus on effective tools necessary for preceptors, educators and leaders to assess and develop new staff into competent, confident, engaged members of your team.

This presentation investigates research studies regarding the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of sleep curtailment and sleep deprivation. Other research discussed will be sleep deprivation consequences with obesity and diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes.

The transport environment presents a high stimulation atmosphere for the neonatal patient. Neonatal patients within high degrees of stimulation may face developmental issues down the road. This presentation will focus on the essential care during transport to ensure the least amount of stimulation and safest method possible to move from point A to point B.

Setting tidal volumes low may be beneficial for patients with ARDS, but is it the right thing to do for everyone? During this session, two experts will debate whether low tidal volumes should be used for everyone undergoing mechanical ventilation for any reason.

This lecture will provide guidance regarding between maneuver variability while performing occupational spirometry testing. Between maneuver variability is of special concern, as it directly affects the ability to assess worker and job-site lung health. Dr. Clark will provide specific examples pertaining to longitudinal work site surveillance and work-related accelerated lung function decline.

This lecture will discuss the characteristics of modern students as well as characteristics of preceptors. The presentation will outline positive and effective characteristics of preceptors as well as discuss unfavorable characteristics. Modern student learning styles will be reviewed in an effort to better bridge the gap that exists between student and preceptor.

Cognitive behavior therapy has shown in multiple studies that it can increase CPAP adherence, which will reduce health-related consequences of untreated obstructive sleep apnea. Respiratory therapists are given the opportunity to help patients change their behavior and thoughts toward CPAP therapy. Specific insomnia symptoms and self-efficacy are associated with CPAP compliance. This presentation will discuss how cognitive behavior therapy can improve CPAP adherence and insomnia.

Safe and successful transport of the ECMO patient relies heavily on receiving an accurate and concise patient report. However, nothing is certain when caring for the sickest patients, and outcomes can be affected. When your patient report is nothing like the patient you find, what bedside decisions are made by the transport team and how do these affect outcomes? This presentation will focus on the successful transports of three ECMO cases where what was reported is nothing like what was found.

Researchers and clinicians present their findings in sessions grouped by topic. Authors briefly present their findings and engage in an open discussion with the moderators and attendees.

This session will describe how one can evaluate different types of equipment used in pulmonary function labs, including spirometry, diffusion capacity, lung volumes, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and others.

This presentation will discuss a preceptor program developed to enhance the orientation process. Focus will be on the benefit of having a strong preceptor team, including the unexpected benefit of elevating the entire RT team.

Ever wonder what happens when we sleep with the lights on? How does our body react to light and dark and how does this manipulate our sleep-wake cycle? This lecture will discuss our natural circadian rhythm and how zeitgebers regulate our sleep, as well as the health implications of being exposed to too much light during sleep hours and how light exposure during sleep can increase obesity.