Changes coming for Oxygen Flow Rate on CMN
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has upcoming changes set for the oxygen Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN). This change revises and introduces new pricing modifiers for oxygen flow rate. The CMN is used by the CMS to determine coverage and payment for patients in need of oxygen and oxygen equipment. Effective April […]
SPOTY Spotlight: Dave Crotwell
This month in our Specialty Practitioner of the Year (SPOTY) Spotlight series, we’re learning more about our Respiratory Care Management SPOTY: Dave Crotwell, BA, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC. Join the Management Section Meet Dave “I am proud to be a respiratory therapist because I get the opportunity to help people every day,” Crotwell said. “How can […]
Pertussis: What RTs Need to Know
Respiratory therapists who have encountered pertussis know it is characterized by the hallmark “whooping” sound that has given it the name most people associate with it: whooping cough. Effective vaccines have been around for decades, but effectiveness wears off over time and many people fail to be re-immunized. According to the CDC, infants are at […]
Big Ideas Theater, Episode 9: COPD and Pulmonary Rehab
In this episode of Big Ideas Theater, Grace Anne Dorney Koppel discusses COPD and the value of pulmonary rehab for patients. The conversation opens with the statistic that there are about 30 million Americans with COPD, but only about 16 million have been diagnosed. Dorney-Koppel explains that this discrepancy is because people avoid telling their […]
Kick Butts Day 2018 Empowers Youth to Speak Out Against Tobacco Use
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 is Kick Butts Day, and, as lung health experts, respiratory therapists are uniquely positioned to help patients do just that. According to the Kick Butts Day website, the day is an opportunity to empower youth to stand out and speak up against tobacco use at events across the entire U.S. What […]
Celebrating the RT’s Role in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week is March 11 – 17, and that means now is a great time to learn more about this area of respiratory therapy and what it can mean for chronic lung disease patients. AARC member Kitty Collins, BHS, RRT, has been working in PR for decades now and explains why patients need this […]
The Member Voice: Traveling Through a Career into Leadership
By Diane Oldfather, MHEd, RRT, FAARC Diane Oldfather, MHEd, RRT, FAARC When I attended my first Missouri Society for Respiratory Care annual conference as a student in 1993, I was starstruck by several individuals that oversaw (and appeared to flawlessly run) several of the activities. One individual was greatly involved in many aspects of the […]
Dad’s Illness Spurs Path to Respiratory Care
Kimberly Kuiper and her dad walk down the aisle at her wedding. Kimberly Kuiper, BS, RRT, has big plans for the South Dakota Society for Respiratory Care (SDSRC) during her term as president, and credits her father as her inspiration for taking the respiratory care career path. Learn More About State Societies “My goals are […]
Aerosol Delivery Devices: Put Your Expertise in Action for Patients
There are many types of devices that RTs use to administer aerosol therapy. They all work differently and, as experts, RTs should be well versed in demonstrating, educating and coaching proper usage of these devices to patients. Doug Gardenhire, EdD, RRT, RRT-NPS, FAARC, of Georgia State University, shares his expertise on how RTs can keep […]
Nominations Now Open for Patient Advocacy Award
The National Respiratory Patient Advocacy Award is the only nationally-recognized advocacy program dedicated to honoring outstanding registered respiratory therapists. The award identifies and honors registered respiratory therapists from across the country who demonstrate excellence in compassionate care for patients and families. Learn more about the award The award commemorates a vital member of the health […]
