Specialty Section Focus: Adult Acute Care

 Published: February 7, 2018

By: Heather Willden

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Specialty Section graphic

Membership in AARC Specialty Sections connects you to others who practice in your area of respiratory care. Programs created by specialty section members are integral to the AARC Summer Forum and AARC International Respiratory Congress meetings. Today we are highlighting the Adult Acute Care Specialty Section, to learn more about the section and what members value most from their membership.

The Adult Acute Care Specialty Section is one of the largest, comprised of more than 1,900 members. According to Carl Hinkson, MS, RRT-ACCS, NPS, FAARC, Adult Acute Care Specialty Section chair, joining the section provides members access to additional resources: most notably the section’s discussion board found in AARConnect. It also gives members the chance to gain greater knowledge about the section, participate in great discussions, and network with leaders in the field.

Great conversation

“A lot of questions posted on the discussion boards lead to robust conversations and sharing of knowledge,” Hinkson said.

Members can also find resources through the section-specific online publications and newsletters, which may include robust forum discussions and case studies, as well as timely updates on new, late breaking research or news pertaining to the section.

For Adult Acute Care Specialty Section Member Karsten Roberts, MS, RRT-ACCS, his greatest takeaway comes from AARConnect.

“The discussion board is a great place to network and talk with specialists from around the country about everything from airway management to waveform analysis,” Roberts said. “Members can also challenge their own knowledge from regular postings that include case studies and chest x-ray interpretation.”
Roberts has also found that if he needs guidance on a topic, field experts are willing to share their knowledge and help others learn.

Actively participate

“We urge members of the section to actively participate in the many discussions on AARConnect,” Hinkson said. “Also, the quarterly bulletin is a great place for someone interested in writing an article to get started.”

Roberts explained that the value of the section is derived from “a network of individuals who are working together to provide education, the most up-to-date evidence based practice, and best practice guidelines.” Member participation strengthens the need and importance of the section.

“On a personal level, the section has given me an opportunity to get involved and contribute to the organization,” Roberts said.

Continued growth

Adult Acute Care Specialty Section Member Kathleen Short, BS, RRT, FAARC, appreciates the opportunity to “learn from others in the profession, including clinical experts from around the country.”

“It is exciting to learn from them what they are doing in their ICUs, new treatment regimens, and newer modes of ventilation, or anything that may help my patients,” Short said. “Since I primarily work in an adult ICU, the information that others share provides me the value that I need to care for my patients. If I can take what I learn and then apply it in the clinical setting, it benefits those patients under my care. That is a value money can’t buy!”

According to Hinkson, he is a member because he supports the continued growth and development of adult acute respiratory care.

“I enjoy the discussions and find value in hearing how ‘others do it,’” Hinkson said. “The value of membership is the chance to network and learn from some really skilled and knowledgeable respiratory therapists. Also, being a member of our section offers the RT a way to ‘give back’ to the profession and serve as a virtual mentor.”

Join the Adult Acute Care Specialty Section

Email newsroom@aarc.org with questions or comments, we’d love to hear from you.

Heather Willden

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.

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