This year’s AARC Congress in Las Vegas will deliver a wealth of indispensable information for you, your organization, and – most importantly – your patients. Here are nine sessions we think need to be on your must-have list.
1 – Searching for Florence: Respiratory Care Needs a Nightingale
Presented by Mike Hess, BS, RRT, RPFT
Friday, Dec. 7, 9:15 – 9:50 a.m.
From the Program: Nurses have Florence Nightingale and physicians have Hippocrates. These figures helped define their professions and serve as embodiments of their roles to this day. But respiratory therapy does not have a similar archetype. Does this mean we lack identity? Does this absence make it more difficult to raise our profile in the public eye? If so, how do we identify and develop our very own “Nightingale?”
2 – Controversies in Tracheostomy Management
Presented by Constance Mussa, PhD, RRT, RRT-NPS
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 11:50 a.m. – 12.25 p.m.
From the Program: Many different practices exist in the management of tracheostomy sites and airways. Do we clean with peroxide? How often do tracheostomy tubes need to be changed? This presentation will address common questions focused on tracheostomy management with information from the literature.
3 – Ventilator Alarm Safety – Where Are We Now?
Presented by Connie C. Dills, MBA, RRT, RPFT
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2:10 – 2:45 p.m.
From the Program: In this session attendees will be shown, through statistical data, how the use of middleware in managing ventilator alarms can reduce alarm fatigue and greatly enhance patient safety.
4 – Getting that Dream Job (Student Symposium for New Professionals)
Presented by Cheryl Hoerr, MBA, RRT, FAARC
Thursday, Dec. 6, 9:50 – 10:25 a.m.
From the Program: This presentation will provide an explanation of the value of marketing and how you can use key marketing principles to position yourself for your dream job. We will also outline techniques to conduct an effective job search along with a brief overview on how to develop your cover letter and resume. The presenter will discuss common mistakes and pitfalls of job seekers, including those that may cost you the position before you are hired.
5 – Top 5 Respiratory Controversies in the Neonatal ICU
Presented by Robert DiBlasi, BSRT, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC
Thursday, Dec. 6, 10:30 – 11:05 a.m.
From the Program: Today’s respiratory therapists are challenged when making clinical decisions that could impact clinical outcomes in the neonatal critical care environment. Pertinent topics may include anything from selecting the proper nasal airway interface for noninvasive support to deciding on a new ventilator mode to the location for placing a nebulizer for giving an aerosol treatment to a mechanically ventilated newborn. This interactive lecture will focus on several hot topics related to respiratory care in the NICU.
6 – Gain a Seat at the Table and Lead the Advanced Care Planning Process
Presented by Kim Bennion, MsHs, RRT, CHC
Friday, Dec. 7 – 11:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
From the Program: Follow the presenter as she shares how Respiratory Care Clinical Services was selected to lead her corporation’s Advanced Care Planning integration process. She will share how to uniquely position your service line to be the natural experts and leaders for such high-level projects and will share tools to be successful.
7 – Fostering Innovation When It Comes to At-Risk Extubations
Presented by Carl Hinkson, MS, RRT-ACCS, NPS, FAARC
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 4:50 – 5:25 p.m.
From the Program: This evidence-based presentation will review strategies aimed at preventing extubation failure. The use of cuff leak tests, glucocorticoid therapy, noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, and other topics will be discussed.
8 – Beyond Traditional Approaches: Understanding the Meaning of Less Invasive Surfactant Administration
Presented by Shari Toomey, MBA, RRT-NPS
Friday, Dec. 7, 9:55 – 10:30 a.m.
From the Program: Surfactant administration in the neonate is standard practice. Alternative noninvasive administration techniques have been developed with the goal of minimizing potential damage caused by mechanical ventilation during surfactant administration. This lecture will explore alternative methods of surfactant delivery and discuss potential benefits.
9 – 5th Edition AACVPR Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines Update
Presented by Gerilynn Connors, RRT
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2:50 – 3:25 p.m.
From the Program: This talk will discuss the key changes in the upcoming 2018 guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation.
Have you registered for AARC Congress yet?
There’s still time to claim your spot at this year’s premier respiratory event: AARC Congress 2018 in Las Vegas. Sign up today!
Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Heather Willden is the Director of Governance and Strategic Initiatives for the AARC where she works with state affiliates as the HOD liaison. She also manages DEI efforts and strategic initiatives. Connect with her about these topics by email, AARConnect or LinkedIn. When she's not working, you can find her podcasting with her husband, exploring new hiking trails, photographing, and spending time with her family.
