FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine back issues from May 2006:
Notes from the dungeon.
May 01, 2006; ... At the recently completed FOCUS conference in Nashville I had the honor of introducing the keynote speaker, Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio and our honorary guest Dr. Forrest Bird. Before I did so, I thanked everyone for coming and I talked for a few minutes about the fact that for me, at ...
Smart mentoring: when skilled employees share their knowledge, your department wins.(MANAGEMENT)
May 01, 2006; ... If you're like most managers, you spend lots of time training people in policies and procedures. And why not? A talented, well oriented staff can boost productivity and make life easier for everyone. Sooner or later, though, even your best employees walk out the door, carrying with them ...
Klebsiella pneumonia.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL KEEPER #17)
May 01, 2006; ... Klebsiella pneumonia, or Friedlander's pneumonia, is caused by the microorganism Klebsiella pneumoniae. The genus Klebsiella belongs to the tribe Klebsiellae, which is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The Klebsiella microorganisms were named after the German microbiologist named ...
Hypnotic drugs and parasomnias.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
May 01, 2006; ... Chlordiazepoxide, which has been marketed since 1960 under the trade name Librium, was the first benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and insomnia. The development of other benzodiazepines soon followed: diazepam (Valium) in 1963; nitrazepam (Mogadon) in 1965; lorazepam (Ativan) in 1977; ...
How tunnel vision can preempt your career.(MANAGEMENT KEEPER # 59)
May 01, 2006; ... Have you ever thought how much damage people inflict on their careers by acting on outdated, or false, assumptions? People who've been through a grueling job hunt, beaten up by a bad boss, or over-worked and underpaid often take away a lesson from the experience that they apply to similar ...
Does an objective measurement during a Mueller's maneuver predict obstructive sleep apnea?(RESPIRATORY RESEARCH)
May 01, 2006; ... For this issue of Focus we will discuss a Respiratory Care Practitioner Performance Improvement (PI) project selected by our practitioners who have an interest in sleep disorders. Our Sleep Center had an Ears, Nose and Throat (ENT) Physician Consultant who shared an interest in ...
Another consequence of sleep disordered breathing?(SLEEP MEDICINE)
May 01, 2006; ... Reading an article about bedwetting may not be your idea of a good use of time, but if you serve a pediatric patient population, this article may indeed be worth a glance. There is now evidence that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) may be related to bedwetting. And that bedwetting ...
Applications of auto CPAP.(RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
May 01, 2006; ... Sleep disordered breathing is prevalent in approximately one out of every four males and one out of every ten females in the U.S. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) accounts for a large percentage of these disorders. Historically, the treatment of choice was CPAP, which has proven an effective ...
Ventilatory limitation in exercise.(PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING)
May 01, 2006; ... Cardiopulmonary exercise testing traces its roots to the development of personal computers and the ability to integrate data from flow sensors and gas analyzers to measure not only ventilation (VE) but oxygen consumption (VO2) and CO2 production (VCO2). Many modern exercise laboratories ...
What is your barrier to PAP treatment?(SLEEP MEDICINE)
May 01, 2006; ... I would dare say that if you are reading this article, you understand the medical benefits to treating Sleep Disordered Breathing with PAP therapy. You have an appreciation for the medical consequences and the quality of life compromises patients have when untreated. How many of you ...
Nitric Oxide, (NO): a clinical primer.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL)
May 01, 2006; ... Recently there has been a great deal of literature concerning my favorite free radical, Nitric Oxide (NO) and so I thought it valuable to catalog a brief review of the many wonders of this excessively obliging and adaptable signaling molecule. Nitric Oxide, (NO), is a colorless ...
Healing the health care system.(ETHICS IN MANAGEMENT)
May 01, 2006; ... The Chicago Tribune held it up to a microscope, and found it wanting. The New York Times published a whole series about it, wondering if it could be saved. The IOM just released another report about it (The first one was called "To Err is Human," this one is called "Crossing the Quality ...
Time, temperature, transport, and type of syringe: a review and recommendations.(THE BLOOD GAS LABORATORY)
May 01, 2006; ... This article is the result of several questions I have received recently, including; what is the current thought on icing blood gas samples? What is the recommended time delay that will prevent inaccurate results? What is the affect on results of transporting blood gas samples in vacuum ...
Pardon my intrusion.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
May 01, 2006; ... A recent study conducted by a University of Kentucky team led by Dr. Kevin Nelson suggests that REM intrusion (REM while awake) may be the cause of many of the near death experiences, 1000's of which are reported by people who undergo and survive cardiac arrests, auto accidents and other ...
No longer business as usual.(FOCUS ON RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
May 01, 2006; ... Home care providers continue to experience reimbursement declines with no apparent end and the cuts negatively impact both the bottom line and employee morale. The decreases affect employers who are challenged with providing benefits and employees whom are paying increasingly higher ...
FAQ: personnel policies and procedures.(THE BUSINESS OF SLEEP)
May 01, 2006; ... Sleep lab physicians and management traditionally have been lax in having written personnel policies. Personnel policies are not to be confused with technical policies and procedures. The latter are standards used for patient care and accreditation reviews while personnel policies are ...
Reflections on neonatal pulse oximetry.(NEONATAL RESPIRATORY CARE)
May 01, 2006; ... I am old enough to remember a time before the advent of pulse oximetry. That may shock some of you. It is beginning to shock me. There was a time in the NICU when there were no continuous non-invasive monitors of oxygenation, neither pulse oximetry nor transcutaneous PO2 monitoring. Fear ...
Why sleepwalk when you can sleep drive.(RESPIRATORY CARE ON-LINE)
May 01, 2006; ... Sleep driving, not to be confused with drowsy driving, has been recently added to the lexicon of sleep medicine and phenomena of sleepwalking. This terminology was not established by experts in the sleep field but by the New York Times in an article, March 8, 2006, A New Sleeping Sickness ...
Sentinel Event Alert released regarding tubing misconnections.(JCAHO NEWS)
May 01, 2006; ... In early April, the Joint Commission released Sentinel Event # 36 regarding tubing misconnections. Entitled "Tubing Misconnections--a persistent and potentially deadly occurrence", the Sentinel Event Alert urges healthcare organizations to focus on how tubes and catheters are connected to ...
Highlights of the 6th annual FOCUS Conference in Nashville.
May 01, 2006; ... All I can say is, we're a very lucky profession. We now have two, excellent national conferences to attend each year. The first is the FOCUS Conference put on each Spring by FOCUS Publications, the therapist-owned company that publishes this magazine. The second is the AARC congress put on ...
Clinical instructors and preceptors: giving them the tools of the trade.(FOCUS ON EDUCATION)
May 01, 2006; ... In the last two issues of Focus, I wrote about the importance of clinical teaching and the best qualities of clinical instructors. For this third and final article on the topic of clinical instruction, I'll address the responsibilities that I feel academic institutions bear in the ...
Compounding respiratory medications for homecare patients.(FOCUS ON HOMECARE)
May 01, 2006; ... When I first started doing homecare patient visits in the early 1970s, I came upon a most interesting case. The patient was very sensitive to Bronkosol[TM] (isoetharine) but the prescribing physician felt that 0.5 ml of the drug in 3 ml of normal saline would be more than sufficient to ...
The AirSep LifeStyle[TM] Portable Oxygen Concentrator.(UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS EQUIPMENT REVIEWS)
May 01, 2006; ... Several weeks prior to writing this review, I was sitting in the Detroit airport waiting to transfer between planes. As I sat, I noticed a commotion at the airline boarding podium. Being nearby, I was able to hear the subject of the controversy. The passenger was a 65-70 year-old woman who ...
Oakes' Respiratory Home Care: An On-Site Reference Guide.
May 01, 2006; ... OAKES' RESPIRATORY HOME CARE: AN ON-SITE REFERENCE GUIDE Oakes' series of pocket-size reference books just grew larger with the addition of Respiratory Home Care: An On-Site Reference Guide. Like all the books in this series, this one is about the size of a lab coat pocket, by ...
Critical care procedures & equipment.(HYPERBARIC MEDICINE)
May 01, 2006; ... For those hyperbaric medicine services that decide to treat critically ill patients, specialized equipment, procedures and training will be required. This may also result in providing services on a 24/7 basis with an "on-call" schedule and increased staffing. The emergencies that could ...
Digital imaging in respiratory care.(MECHANICAL VENTILATION)
May 01, 2006; ... Dramatic advances in imaging technology have already influenced important aspects of intensive care practice, and the respiratory care practitioner is no exception. For those of us old enough to remember "analog" equipment and their limited displays of primary data, a casual look at the ...
A picture is worth a thousand words.(RESPIRATORY CARE ON-LINE)
May 01, 2006; ... Education is the best proactive activity that we, as health professionals, can invest in for the communities that we serve. By participating in career days, health fairs, and other educational programs we can raise awareness about pulmonary wellness and about our role as health care ...
On a lighter side with Andy Rooney.(Column)
May 01, 2006 ... I have what I think is bad news for people who own a home that has a lawn. James Hagedorn, the president of Scotts Miracle-Gro, just announced that his company has developed a new, slower-growing, genetically-engineered grass that hardly ever has to be mowed. I'm for progress in most ...
Rapidpoint 400/405 Series.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The Bayer Rapidpoint 405 is the first blood gas system designed for point of care testing to offer an integrated CO-oximetry module. Provides an accurate assessment of the oxygenation status of critically ill patients, and allows for improved therapeutic actions & better patient outcomes ....
Audio monitoring for the sleep lab.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Louroe Electronics manufactures audio monitoring systems; several of which are especially designed for sleep applications. The system delivers crisp, clear audio, allowing the technician to closely monitor the patient. The technician can listen to the patient hands-free and needs only to ...
Information management solution.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... AegisPOC is the new critical care and point-of-care connectivity & information management solution from Laboratory Data Systems. Provides connectivity to vendors, blood gas, glucose, coagulation & other devices while providing functionality to manage & ensure compliance of critical care ...
Transtracheal oxygen.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Transtracheal Systems specializes in the design & production of innovative O2 therapy products. Each product is designed to improve oxygenation, ambulation, and quality of life for patients requiring continuous supplemental O2. Our core product for the past 18 years has been the SCOOP line ...
New nasal pillows system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... ResMed's Mirage Swift nasal pillows system is one of the lightest nasal pillow systems on the market. It weighs approximately 2.5 oz (70 g) and rests lightly at the entrance of the nostrils. The Mirage Swift air tube features interchangeable positions (up, down, left, right) to afford ...
Versatile ECG/spirometry unit.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Futuremed America introduces the P8000 Power, an economically priced instrument that lets the user start with a resting ECG and add spirometry or exercise stress testing. The P8000 has a full keyboard and the unit's high resolution screen allows real time display of Flow/Volume loops or ...
Automatic respiratory products.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... VORTRAN manufactures a line of low cost, single patient, automatic respiratory products: VORTRAN Automatic Resuscitator--MRI safe, automatic resuscitator for transport or emergency ventilation for pediatric/adult patients 22 lbs. and above. E-Vent Case[TM]--for rapid emergency ventilation ...
Need CEU's tonight?(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... One-stop shopping for continuing education and career advancement exclusively for healthcare professionals. Provide highest quality, state-of-the-art, non-traditional educational programs & seminars available. Updated yearly, always timely and stay ahead of the changes in healthcare. Join ...
Roche OMNI[R]S system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The Roche OMNI[R] S system is a complete blood gas solution designed for hi-volume use. Delivers time/cost efficiencies. Maximizes uptime while providing convenience & control. Configurable menu has options for blood gas, electrolytes & metabolites. Built-in AutoQC[R] module holds up to 40 ...
New Full Face CPAP mask.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The New 7600 Vmask is an Oro-Nasal (Full Face) CPAP/BiLevel Mask that can be tightened or loosened in the middle of the night w/o affecting the integrity of the leak free seal because there is no hard frame or thin seal. All 5 Sizes of the mask are made of a single piece of soft silicone ...
90[degrees] swivel adapter.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... At first glance this product looks like a simple 90[degrees] hose barb fitting. However, this patent pending fitting swivels a full 360 degrees! Imagine the possibilities! Hose assemblies that do not kink. Improved safety. More streamlined appearances. All brought to you by Your Medical ...
High efficiency aerosol maximizer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Healthline offers the Medicator[R] family of high-efficiency, environmentally-protective aerosol drug delivery devices for bronchodilators, antibiotics, pentamadine, morphine, & methacholine, Like a "holding chamber" for a nebulizer. Routine treatment time as little as 3 min; less with ...
New continuous nebulizer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The HOPE continuous nebulizer is improved CNBT technology, which relieves the practitioner of the laborious task of remixing SVNs every 15 minutes. HOPE allows you the ability to mix medications from one to eight hours. Heliox administration couldn't be easier, with a length of oxygen ...
New swiveling hose holder.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... B & G Steel Manufacturers introduces the BRO-GHO Hose Buddy designed to be used with CPAP, air supply and oxygen hoses. This unique device turns when your patient does and takes the drag out of air supply hose, often a problem encountered with home CPAP therapy. Increase patient ...
New Reusable Airflow Sensor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Dymedix Corporation now has a complete line of Polyvinylidene Fluoride reusable sensors to complement their existing line of disposable PVDF sensors & electrodes. The RealFlo[TM] Reusable Airflow Sensor is available as a highly accurate sensor capable of detecting flow limitations ...
New tabletop Mini-Pasteurmatic.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... This edition to Olympic's Pasteurmatic line is ideal for low volume reprocessing needs. Its tabletop design requires no hard wiring or plumbing--just fill it with tap water and plug it in. Like all Pasteurmatics, the Mini uses only hot water to achieve high-level ...
Respiratory inductive plethysmography.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... * Superior technology for identifying and differentiating sleep apneas and for detecting hypopneas * Greater accuracy and sensitivity * The ability to assess thoracoabdominal coordination * Minimization of motion artifact. RIP is considered the best non-invasive tool ...
New features on nasal mask.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Former NFL running back Owen Gill & many other patients claim that the ALIZES[TM] Nasal Mask is the world's best nasal mask and that it has saved their life. They claim it is very comfortable and quiet. The newly upgraded ALIZES[TM] Nasal CPAP/BiPAP Mask is so durable and easy to use that ...
Servo ventilators from Maquet.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... For 30+ years, SERVO ventilators have been recognized as the leading name in ventilation technology. From its non-invasive option on the SERVO-i to the new SERVO-s for chronic care, SERVO is recognized for providing ventilation for neonatal, pediatric & adult patients. SERVO's graphical ...
Website voted best for PFT supplies.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Easy to search by catalog number or keyword, vacumed.com lists most common and many unusual PFT and Stress testing products, including photos, specifications, cross references, prices and quantity discounts: Filters, Mouthpieces, Nose Clips, Tubing, Breathing Valves, Gas Collection Bags, ...
New CPAP Interface.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Hudson RCI, a division of Teleflex Medical, is proud to introduce the NASAL-AIRE[R] II Critical Care CPAP Interface. Unique design features make it the ideal patient interface for Non-Invasive Ventilation. The ergonomic design fits any face and eliminates leaks and pressure points, ...
Trusted, full range HME.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... For 15 years, the ThermoFlo[TM] System from ARC Medical has been trusted to provide humidification to patients from intubation to extubation. ThermoFlo[TM] has earned a reputation for being the finest in its field of HME devices. No competitive product can provide higher humidification or ...
New ventilator introduced.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The Newport e500 is a critical care ventilator for infant/pediatric & adult application. Can be used for invasive & non-invasive vent. Provides comprehensive mode selection, including dual modes VTPC & VTPS, expanded monitoring & a smart alarm system. Self-calibrating, integrated oxygen ...
Original inductive plethysmograph.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc. provides the Intuctotrace original inductive plethysmograph design--standard for monitoring respiratory volume changes from the chest/abdominal wall. Respiratory patterns reflecting intercostal/abdominal changes, summed in a 3rd channel, identify obstructive ...
EasyOne Spirometry System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... ndd Medical Technologies offers The EasyOne Spirometry System which uses the company's patented ultrasonic flow measurement technology. This cutting edge highly configurable spirometer features FVC, FVL, SVC and MVV testing. The graphic curve display allows quick assessment of results ....
Hi-flow oxygen delivery.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The Standard in High Flow Therapy. Vapotherm, Inc. produces the Vapotherm 2000i, a respiratory therapy device that allows hi-flows of breathing gases to be delivered by nasal cannula or other interfaces using a unique membrane technology to warm and saturate the gas stream. The system is ...
New sleep sensors from SLP.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... SLP Inc. recently introduced the SleepSense[R] family of sensors for recording sleep studies. Included are sensors for respiratory effort (disposable/reusable), airflow, motion detection, body position & snoring. In addition to the SleepSense[R] products, SLP is marketing a disposable ...
New CPAP Moisture Therapy product.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... "Compliance made Simple", CPAP Moisture Therapy (tm) is a new product especially designed to break the dry skin cycle and lock in moisture so essential to users of CPAP equipment used to treat sleep apnea. For over a decade LouSal Enterprises Inc. has addressed the chaffing and dry nose ...
Respiration Monitors.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Rochester Electro-Medical, Inc. offers a complete line of Respiration Monitors for recording nasal/oral airflow. The newest version of their popular UltraFlow[TM] cannula-style monitor is available in Adult/Child sizes & features a thinner, smaller design that is strong & reliable while ...
New 3 in 1 handheld monitors.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Smiths Medical PM, Inc. offers Pulse, SpO2, and CO2 monitoring, in easy-to-use hand-held devices. The BCI[R] 3301 is an affordable pulse oximeter, while the BCI[R] 3303 provides pulse ox monitoring w/ alarms, rechargeable battery, and protective rubber boot. MiniCorr Digital Pulse Oximeter ...
MRI / Transport Ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The pNeuton Transport Ventilator (pronounced new-ton) provides adult/pediatric volume targeted ventilation and high performance CPAP for use in Hospital, MRI and EMS environments. Pure pneumatic technology eliminates the need for any batteries. A choice of 100% or 65% oxygen delivery lets ...
New sleep audio broadcast.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Sleepmate[R] Technologies announces the sleep industries first bi-weekly SleepNews[TM] audio broadcast by Sleepmate Radio[R]. The broadcasts can be found at Sleepmate.com where you will also find information on subscribing free of charge to the SleepNews[TM] podcast. SleepNews[TM] includes ...
Airway Clearance System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Electromed, Inc.'s SmartVest[R] Airway Clearance System uses High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) therapy to deliver effective and well-tolerated airway clearance treatment for patients who are otherwise at risk of developing respiratory infections from retained secretions. The ...
New TOTAL 02 Delivery System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... CHAD Therapeutics offers the revolutionary TOTAL 02 Delivery System, which combines stationary and portable oxygen in one safe, simple device. It provides the flexibility to fill seven popular cylinder sizes to a full 2000 psi capacity and can be used with any one of CHAD's reliable ...
Medcare is now "Embla".(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... Medcare is now "Embla". We are a new company with a new focus on being closer to our customers. With a global headquarters now in Denver, Colorado we are closer to our largest customer base. Centralized and expanded support teams in both Europe and North America are equipped to meet the ...
Spirometer and PF Lab filters.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The NAGEL Network, Inc. offers the four leading manufacturers of viral filters guaranteed to fit any spirometer or PF Lab. As the leading national distributor of filters we guarantee the lowest prices. Same day shipping. Overnight delivery also available. Bacterial filtration efficiency is ...
Polysomnography courses.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
May 01, 2006 ... The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology offers 5 and 8 day intensive courses in clinical polysomnography for physicians, technologists, respiratory therapists, and allied health care professionals to address the needs of the entry level as well as experienced professional. The ...