Improving 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 »
Read MoreNovember is National COPD Awareness Month, and a great opportunity to help educate your patients about COPD. According to the American Lung Association, an estimated 15.3 million Americans suffer from COPD, and several additional millions likely have COPD and don’t even know it. Early diagnosis and treatment can help people with COPD improve their quality… Read more »
Read MoreEnable cookies to see embeded content. As part of Big Ideas Theater 2018, Scott Daniel, RRT, from Dixie Regional Medical Center, discusses his hospital’s establishment of an outpatient COPD clinic as a way to better serve and educate their patients. Watch More Big Ideas Theater Big Ideas Theater 2018 was filmed at the AARC Congress… Read more »
Read MoreEarlier this year, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute released their 2018 COPD report: “Tracking Perceptions of the Individuals Affected and the Providers Who Treat Them.” AARC Member Mike Hess, RRT, RPFT, shares his insight on the report. Key Findings “I think the key finding from the report is that COPD is still in… Read more »
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