Originally presented live on June 3, 2026, this program features AARC member Frank M. Freihaut, BS, RRT-ACCS, a member of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit clinical care staff in Omaha.
Freihaut discusses the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa and concerns related to special pathogens, including how the Biocontainment Unit functions and the processes requiring special attention from clinicians working in high-containment environments.
This on-demand program also highlights the respiratory therapist’s role in caring for patients with suspected or confirmed special pathogens, including airway and ventilatory support, adherence to infection-prevention protocols, safe equipment handling, and collaboration with the interprofessional team.
Speaker
Frank Freihaut, BS, RRT-ACCS has over 35 years of experience as a Respiratory Care Practitioner. He has worked with neonatal through geriatric patients primarily at the Critical Care level. He started his career at Parkland Memorial Hospital Dallas Texas. Frank has worked as a staff therapist, educator, and team leader, and is currently a Respiratory Care ICU Coordinator for Nebraska Medicine, Omaha Nebraska, and a member of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit clinical care staff, caring for patients with Highly Infectious Special Pathogens such as EBOLA. Frank received his BS in Biology from Marquette University, Milwaukee Wisconsin, and his Respiratory degree From Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas Texas. He has previously served on the Nebraska Society for Respiratory Care professional Board, the American Lung Association of Nebraska Board, and was the previous Chair of the Nebraska State Respiratory Care Practice Licensure Board. Frank has given Continuing Education talks for Physicians, Nurses and Respiratory Care Practitioners on many aspects of Respiratory/Pulmonary medicine. Topics have included Mechanical Ventilation Modes and Waveforms, High Frequency Ventilation, Nitric Oxide, End Tidal Carbon Dioxide, Asthma, Chest Radiographs, Refractory Oxygenation Therapies, COVID-19 Respiratory Considerations and Bio-Containment Unit function.
