Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis- The Respiratory Therapists' Role

Guiding Patients Through Decisions in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): The Respiratory Therapists' Role- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare, progressive lung disease that greatly impacts patients' quailty of life and diminishes life expectancy. New therapies are available that slow function decline. These therapies are used in combination with oxygen supplementation, pulmonary rehabilitation, symptomatic treatment, and supportive care. This program will discuss the prevalence, signs and symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for IPF as well as compare and contrast available therapies and formulate strategies for comprehensive management of symptoms. Outline the prevalence, signs and symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for IPF. Compare and contrast available therapies for IPF. Formulate strategies for comprehensive management of symptoms. Effectively counsel IPF patients on available therapies and supportive care. Identify patients with IPF who may benefit from intensification of therapy.

1.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Expires 12/31/17

 

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Waste Anesthesia Gases- Risks and Prevention Strategies

Waste Anesthesia Gases in the Healthcare Environment: Risks and Prevention Strategies- Describe the health consequences from chronic low dose exposure to waste anesthetic gases. List the availability of scavenging to minimize exposures to waste anesthetic gases. Identify government agencies to contact and are responsible for establishing safe exposure limits to waste anesthetic gases.  

1.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Zika Virus: The Pandemic Threat

Zika: The Pandemic Threat- Zika, a mosquitoborne viral infection, is the most recent of four arboviruses (arthropodborne viral diseases) that have spread to the Western Hemisphere in the last 20 years. It follows the dengue virus, which became re-established in the 1990s after the failure of mosquito eradication programs; the West Nile virus that emerged in 1999; and chikungunya in 2013. Zika virus has been identified as a cause of congenital microcephaly, a potentially devastating birth defect in which babies are born with small heads and underdeveloped brains. The virus has also been linked to an increase in Guillain-Barrré syndrome, myelitis, and meningoencephalitis. This CE program will inform and heighten awareness of nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, lab professionals, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers about the emergence of Zika virus both in the U.S. and internationally. Identify the signs and symptoms of Zika virus infection. Discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for pregnant women and testing of infants with possible congenital infection with Zika virus. List the prevention measures for mosquitoborne illness. Describe how the interprofessional team can collaborate to promote improved outcomes and prevent Zika virus infection.

1.0  Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Free until  2/4/17

Gannet Education &

Rapid Response Teams- Consensus and Controversy

In-Hospital Resuscitation:Early Intervention and Rescue- Rapid Response Systems:Consensus and Controversy- Of the more than 300,000 cardiac arrests that occur annually in the United States, survival rates are typically less than 10% for out-of-hospital events and less than 20% for in-hospital events. Additionally, studies have shown that survival falls by 10-15% for each minute of cardiac arrest without CPR delivery. The chain of survival, first conceptualized for out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest, applies to in-hospital arrest as well. Successful resuscitation requires early recognition of cardiopulmonary arrest, early activation of trained responders, early CPR, early defibrillation when indicated, and early advanced life support. Hospitals create through rapid response teams (RRT) a coordinated response to treating patients with a cardiopulmonary emergency.

1.5 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Saxe Healthcare

Clostridium Difficile- Complications and Prevention

The New Clostridium Difficile: Pathogenicity, Complications, and Prevention- Identify conditions that make C diff (CDI) a successful pathogen. List complications associated with infections (CDI). Discuss reservoirs for nosocomial transmission. Describe best practices for transmission prevention.

1.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Acheiving Qulaity of Life on a Mechanical Ventilator

Achieving Quality of Life on a Mechanical Ventilator- With recent changes in healthcare, patients requiring long-term mechanical ventilation are being discharged to their homes sooner than in past years.1 A patient's quality of life may change a little or in many cases immensely. Patients must learn how to adapt to their home environment, as well as their health condition. One useful tool for assessing and helping improve patient quality of life is known as health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is a multi-dimensional measure that includes the quality of life domains of financial well-being, living environment, and safety, as well as domains related to physical, mental, emotional, and social functioning. Course highlights: Effects of HRQoL on patients on Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV). Treatment goals to improve quality of life (QOL). The unique challenges facing the HMV patient. Considerations for assessing invasive vs. noninvasive ventilation in terms of QOL measures. Advantages of portable vs. non-portable ventilation devices for the long term mechanical ventilation patient.

1.0 Free CEUs fopr Respiratory Therapists

Sedation and Asynchrony

The Link Between Sedation & Asynchrony- While ventilation may be a life-saving tool for critically ill patients, it can also be an uncomfortable experience due to the invasiveness of the tubing, and mismatches (or “asynchronies”) between the patient’s demand for breath and the ventilator-delivered breathing pattern. In the past, clinicians addressed ventilator-patient asynchrony through heavy sedation. However, recent studies have highlighted the negative consequences of over-sedation for ventilatory patients, which include muscle atrophy from prolonged disuse and lengthened ventilation times. By evaluating for asynchrony, clinicians may be able to reduce the risk of oversedation. By using sedation more effectively, we can work together to potentially reduce ICU ventilation time.
Describe asynchrony and the effect of sedation on muscle atrophy. Discuss how conventional ventilation modes work — benefits and limitations of each considering the patient’s natural breathing pattern. Identify asynchrony and assess the causes.

1.5 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Managing Critically Ill Neonatal Patients- Ventilation of ELBW Infants

Challenges in Ventilation of Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) Infants: Managing critically ill neonatal patients using various ventilation practices- The World Health Organization and the March of Dimes estimate that 15 million infants are born premature each year, accounting for 1 in 10 babies born worldwide. Many of these infants will develop Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and other complications that require increased respiratory support. Studies have evaluated early antenatal corticosteroids and surfactant replacement therapy, individualized intubation strategies and lung protective strategies. To reduce the risk of chronic lung disease from repetitive atelectrauma, volutrauma and oxygen toxicity, clinicians have developed lung-protective strategies. These include noninvasive continuous airway pressure (CPAP), advanced modes of conventional mechanical ventilation—both volume targeting and optimizing positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)—and an open lung concept with high frequency ventilation. Reviews ventilation challenges with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. Current ventilation practices, devices and review of the literature. Clinical cases and management of ELBW infants.

1.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Exercise-Induced Asthma: Treatment and Management- Exercise-induced asthma (EIA), also known as exercise induced bronchoconstriction, is a disorder in which respiratory distress is associated with histamine release. The disorder is often triggered by some form of aerobic exercise and may last anywhere from two to 10 minutes. Symptoms of EIA may resemble those of an allergic asthmatic attack or the symptoms may be vague and go unnoticed. The ideal treatment for EIA is prevention. The primary treatment is with the use of a short- or rapid-acting inhaled beta2-agonist administered 15 to 30 minutes prior to the exercise. With proper treatment and awareness, the prognosis is good for most people who exercise. If adequate treatment is undertaken, there should be no reason why performance on the field should be limited.
Identify the risk factors for EIA and its clinical presentation.
Discuss medications, types of exercise and environmental factors associated with EIA.
List the different classes of drugs and their characteristicsused to treat patients with EIA

1.0  Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Free until 4/18/16

Gannett Education 

Capnographic Monitoring

Rationales and Applications for Capnography Monitoring During Conscious Sedation Explore drivers of change for basic anesthetic monitoring. Discuss capnography as a strategy for promotion of patient safety. Evaluate barriers to implementation of capnographic monitoring.

2.0  Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Saxe Healthcare 

This program is sponsored by Teleflex

7 Free CEUs- Asthma Management Program

Asthma Management Program- Facts about Asthma. Myths about Asthma. Assessment and Monitoring. Diagnosis and Severity of Asthma. Measurement of Lung Function Control of Environmental Factors. Environmental Allergens. Irritants and other factors. Pharmacologic Management, Pathophysiology. Bronchodialator medication. Anti-inflammatory medication. Patient Education. Partnership with the patient. Inhaler and Peak Flow Meter technique.


7.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

Evidence-based Practices: A Roadmap to Preventing HAP & VAP

Roadmap to HAP & VAP: Neglecting Oral Care- Discuss prevalence and consequences of Hospital Acquired Pneumonia & Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (HAP & VAP). Describe how the mouths of critically ill patients undergo radical changes to become reservoirs of pathogens. Identify the means by which poor oral care in the ICU can result in complications including pneumonia. List recommended oral care interventions and associated evidence-based rationales.

1.0 Free CEUs for Respiratory Therapists

Expires 9/2017

 

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