Renee Wunderley BS RRT-NPS/Presiding

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.

Sponsored by

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC

Are you a first-time attendee with unanswered questions about who to see, where to go, and what to expect from your first AARC Congress? If so, then attendance at this presentation is a MUST for you! This presentation provides first-time attendees with an overview of the entire AARC Congress and includes suggestions on how to maximize your time, not only at the educational session but also at the exhibits and peripheral activities as well.

Teresa A Volsko MHHS RRT FAARC, Akron OH

This presentation will introduce the neophyte research presenter to the customs, roles, and experience of presenting at an OPEN FORUM Session. The stages of an OPEN FORUM presentation including poster set-up, interacting with participants and moderators, presenting at the podium, and participating in moderated audience discussions will be addressed. Expectations for Editor's Choice and Poster Only presentations will be reviewed.

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.

Shawna Strickland PhD RRT-NPS RRT-ACCS AE-C FAARC , Irving TX

Many experts recommend early initiation of palliative care to improve patients quality of life. However, the perception of palliative care - patient, caregiver, and health care provider - steers many away from this beneficial service. This presentation will discuss perspectives of palliative care and provide strategies to engage the RT to improve patient quality of life.

Garry W Kauffman MPA RRT FACHE FAARC, Walnut Cove NC

Patient-centric care has been around for decades in different forms. In the 1980s the first salvo included staff reduction, clinician elimination, de-skilling, and reduction of mid-level management. What has changed about this focus on patients - other than a catchy new phrase? Absolutely everything! Patient-centric care is about providing the right care, at the right time, with the right quality, by the right person, and being able to measure the outcomes of this care. For RTs there is no better time to demonstrate your value, and for RT managers this is the best time to demonstrate your knowledge and ability to manage this new care delivery system based on evidence-based medicine, system-wide cost effectiveness, and patient/family satisfaction.

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Gerald S Zavorsky PhD RPFT FACSM, Atlanta GA

This lecture will discuss the recent European Respiratory Society task force paper published in the European Respiratory Journal in 2017 on the standardization and application of pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (DLNO). The talk will include a discussion of the differences between DLNO and pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), the prediction equations developed for DLNO, and the summary consensus statement for DLNO.

Mary Martinasek PhD RRT-NPS AE-C MPH, Tampa FL

This lecture will educate participants on marijuana and its effects on the respiratory system.

Dan Easley BA, Apollo PA

Is telemonitoring really the right tool to use for the pulmonary patient? Once vital signs are outside of normal range, pulmonary patients are often symptomatic and hours from a hospitalization. This presentation will show how the use of vitality monitoring can be much more effective and can pick-up changes.

Brian Cayko BS MBA RRT, Great Falls MT

This session will examine the need for a common pulmonary nomenclature for auscultation of lung sounds. This lecture will include an audio presentation and interactive audience polling using your mobile devices!

Chosen from the 2016 Speaker Academy

PRO: Alexandre T Rotta MD , Cleveland OH
CON: Ira Cheifetz MD FAARC Durham NC

Although data exist that lung recruitment is associated with improved physiologic parameters and much has been discussed regarding the importance of 'optimal lung volumes', no one has proven that optimizing lung volumes optimizes clinical outcomes. Two international experts will go head-to-head in this debate focused on optimizing the care of the pediatric patient with ARDS. An interactive discussion with the audience will follow the debate.

Douglas S Gardenhire EdD RRT-NPS FAARC, Atlanta GA

The relationship between colleagues may be the most important aspect of any department or team. Collegiality has been and continues to be of interest in academia, however as inter-professional education continues to dominate, health care collegiality should be considered for all team members no matter the setting. This lecture will define collegiality as well as address why it is important. Finally, the presenter will discuss strategies on how to achieve collegiality in a department or team.

Dana Evans MHA RRT-NPS, Chicago IL

The word "accountability" tends to make people cringe and yet we all want to work with co-workers, staff, and leaders who are accountable. How do we move from blame to ownership and empowerment? Empowered employees are more focused, motivated, and engaged with your vision. Empower your staff to take ownership in the organization. The presenter will discuss why getting past the blame and excuses will allow your department to thrive.

Steve Gudowski BS RRT, Philadelphia PA

This presentation will discuss the latest published, evidence-based recommendations related to assessment tools and monitoring of patients receiving opioid pain medications. Utilizing the current published research in conjunction with the 2014 San Diego Patient Safety Council's (SDPSC) Tool Kit "Respiratory Monitoring of Patients Outside the ICU," the presenter will outline ways that hospitals may improve their ability to protect patients from preventable respiratory depression and adverse harm.

Aaron McColpin DNP RRT-NPS NP CPFT, Camarillo CA

This lecture focuses on the relationship between personality characteristics and disease acceptance on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who had been referred for pulmonary rehabilitation.

Dave Burnett PhD RRT AE-C, Kansas City KS

Exploring the opportunity to develop research within your department and mentoring faculty to help build a successful long-term research agenda.

Jennifer Smith AAS RRT-ACCS

Are respiratory care departments keeping up with the rapid pace of a technology- driven medical field? This presentation will address the challenges faced by a respiratory department when assigning scheduled work. The lecturer will discuss the benefits of developing an electronic workload tool that allows assignments to be made more efficient electronically than counting by hand.

Mary Martinasek PhD RRT-NPS AE-C MPH, Tampa FL

This presentation will focus on an update of the scholarly literature related to both hookah smoking and electronic cigarettes. A clinician's perspective and guidance will be presented.

Scott Cerreta BS RRT, Flagstaff AZ

This lecture will describe several best practice models for delivering quality of care that leads to outcomes of reduced COPD readmissions. It is important to avoid the common pitfall of setting COPD Readmission Reduction as a primary goal.

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

Robert L Joyner Jr PhD RRT RRT-ACCS FAARC, Salisbury NY

Patient care continues to evolve at a brisk pace with sicker patients being cared for with fewer resources. Sufficient staffing expansion is not usually an option and other providers do not have our specialized education, training, or expertise. This presents a conundrum. Our patients need us to fulfill our roles and assure they are receiving the best care possible; we should all be prepared to practice at the top of our license.

Thomas Lamphere BS RRT-ACCS RPFT FAARC, Sellersville PA

This lecture will review common respiratory therapies and practices that have little or no evidence to support their use yet are still utilized in many facilities. This "non-evidence-based" care uses valuable financial resources including both manpower hours and equipment/disposable supplies. Attendees will be provided with current evidence to use as tools to effect a change in their facility to improve the quality of the care provided while at the same time utilizing their resources more wisely!

Keith D Lamb RRT-ACCS FCCM, Warrenton VA

In a time where every dollar is closely watched research is often put on the back burner. This lecture will demonstrate ways of producing quality research without spending a lot of money.

Michael Caron BS RRT, Northford CT

"Vitality to You" is a rehab pilot program consisting of PT, OT, and speech therapy utilizing respiratory care professionals. This is a multidisciplinary approach focused on continuing care in the home for recently discharged long-term patients.

De De Gardner MS RRT-NPS FAARC FCCP, San Marcos TX

Clinical sites for education programs are becoming a challenge for programs using the preceptor model. Many hospital managers and staff see having students as a "burden" and not a "pleasant" experience. This presentation will discuss the clinician- student model experience as a win-win for the student/educational program and the staff/respiratory care department. The presentation will also share the use of career ladders and expectations for staff to precept students and provide a positive experience for the student.

Holly Williams MHA RRT, Greenr SC

Managing multiple respiratory care departments across multiple sites poses many challenges that differ from those that arise in a single location department. Ensuring that each site is successful requires careful planning and commitment from the respiratory care manager. The unique challenges that regional managers face require creative thought and adaptability. This session will review some of the specific challenges as well as essentials for success. Communication is always identified as a number one barrier; different techniques to address this barrier will be discussed. There will be several organizational charts presented to demonstrate various models that can work in respiratory care departments.

Chosen from the 2016 Speaker Academy

Steve Gudowski BS RRT, Philadelphia PA

This presentation is designed to provide attendees with an appreciation of why medication errors occur, the impact of medication errors on patients/outcomes, monitoring requirements, and various methods to improve processes with regard to delivering safe and effective care.

Stephanie Williams BS RRT , Nashville TN

As RTs we offer a unique perspective into the questions that arise as people near the end of their lives. Using our knowledge of respiratory disease progression we can help people begin that conversation with their family and loved ones at appropriate times.

PRO: Thomas Piraino RRT , Beamsville ON
CON: John Emberger RRT-ACCS CPHQ FAARC Newark DE

Prone positioning alters lung mechanics and improves the distribution of ventilation in ARDS. Prone positioning has been shown to reduce mortality in severe ARDS. But how early should prone position be initiated? Can it improve outcomes in mild or moderate ARDS?

Funded through an unrestricted educational grant from

Dean R Hess PhD RRT FAARC, Boston MA

What is the best evidence? When do you trust a colleague and when do you need a randomized controlled trial? This lecture will describe an approach to the scientific method to facilitate decision-making based on evidence rather than anecdote.

Gerald S Zavorsky PhD RPFT FACSM, Atlanta GA

Exercise capacity (cardiorespiratory fitness) is a powerful predictor of mortality. This lecture will examine cardiorespiratory fitness, how it is related to pulmonary diffusing capacity, and its significance to overall health.

Dennis J Guillot PhD RRT CSCS , Thibodaux LA

This presentation will review the metabolic energy systems pathways and discuss/ debate how best to modify training considering these pathways to enhance conditioning in pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Jim Damron MDiv RRT CPFT, Charlotte NC

The health care industry is continuously changing and patient-provider relationships are being affected. Interventions that were once requested are now being demanded. This presentation will look at how changes have affected our approach to code status and propose a different approach which could improve the patient-provider relationship.

Chosen from the 2016 Speaker Academy

John Wilgis MBA RRT, Orlando FL
Robert L Joyner Jr PhD RRT RRT-ACCS FAARC Salisbury NY
Shane Keene DHSc RRT-NPS CPFT RPSGT FAARC Cincinnati OH
Brian K Walsh PhD RRT-NPS FAARC Boston MA

This panel discussion by the Ad Hoc Committee on Advanced RT Practices, Credentialing, and Education will discuss the effort over the past year of exploring the need for an advanced practice provider caring for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.