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Official Newsletter of the Maine Society for Respiratory Care
April 2015
Lobestergram
2015 Board Members:
PRESIDENT: Daren RaineyPRESIDENT ELECT: Cynthia Carlton IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Daren RaineySECRETARY: Hannah Keaney TREASURER: Katharine JohnsonDELEGATE: Keith SiegelDELEGATE: Amanda Albee
Become a Member!
Why wait to become a member of your professional organization?
Go to www.aarc.org and join today!
The AARC now offers a digital subscription for just $78.50 for renewing members. New members pay an additional
processing fee of $12.50.
Did you know you automatically become a member of the MeSRC when you join the AARC? You will help support respiratory therapists in Maine by joining!
Why is the AARC so important? Without the AARC, there would be no respiratory care departments; no respiratory care educational programs; no nationally recognized NBRC credentials: the Federal Government would not have drafted the new Conditions of Participation allowing respiratory care practitioners to take verbal orders and administer medication such as oxygen and aerosols; there would not be the recognition and respect given to us by our medical sponsors; and there would be no legal recognition nor efforts towards increased legal recognition.
*Unfortunately, as of May 2013 the MeSRC is unable to process memberships. * We apologize for the inconvenience.
We’re on the web!! www.mesrc.org
SAVE THE DATE !!!
Plan Now for the Maine Event
May 13 & 14, 2015 Hollywood Casino Bangor, Maine
QuestionsHannah Keaney, RRT
Educational Comm. Chair [email protected]
www.mesrc.org
MEDICAL ADVISOR: Neil Duval MD
MEMBERS AT LARGE: Norma Hay, Jack Higgins, David Wall, Brian Sadowski, Alex Dickinson, Bobbie Crockett, Joe Isgro, Chet Scamman
MeSRC Student Liaison: Keith Engleheart (KVCC)
The MeSRC would like to graciously thank our 2014Platinum Partner for their outstanding support.
Monaghan Medical Corporation is a leader in the development and manufacturing of aerosol drug delivery devices and asthma management products. They are also a supplier to major pharmaceutical companies involved with respiratory medicine in the United States.
Some of their product lines include:
o AeroChamber Plus®
o AeroVent®
o AeroEclipse®
o TruZone®
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QuestionsHannah Keaney, RRT
Educational Comm. Chair [email protected]
www.mesrc.org
Educational Committee UpdateThe Maine Event 2015 is fast approaching. We are getting very excited for our annual conference, which will be held in Bangor, Maine on May 13th and 14th at the Hollywood
Casino! We have a great line up of speakers who are taking on topics such as Hypoxic Ventilation, Taijiquan, Palliative Care, HFOV, Ventilator Synchrony and many more! Dr. Boogie will also be making an appearance on the evening of Day 1! If you haven’t signed up yet please visit our website and sign up under the Maine Event tab. Hotel rooms are available at a discount, just ask for the Maine Society for Respiratory Care group. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
~ Hannah Keaney, MeSRC Educational Committee Chair
2015 EDU Committee
Hannah Keaney (SMHC) – EDU ChairNorma Hay (MMC) - EDU Co-Chair
Daren Rainey (SMHC) Kate Johnson (MMP) Jack Higgins (WCGH)
Jon Lewis (VA)Erin Healey (SMMC)
Brian Sadowski (Mercy)Alex Dickinson (MMC)Lauren Jordan (MMC)Ashley Cude (MMC)
Amanda Albee (MMC)Cynthia Carlton (CMMC)
Tara Inman (CMMC)Bobbie Crockett (SJH)
Sean Shortall (Maquet)Flo Pajanen (Mercy)
David Wall (MMC)
LOBESTERGRAM INFO If anyone is interested in submitting an article for an upcoming addition of the Lobestergram, please contact me at
[email protected]. Please provide me with an email address and I will send the newsletter to you electronically and save postage.
Maine Society for Respiratory Care's Sputum Bowl
As most of you know, we will be holding our annual sputum bowl. We encourage you to make your teams early and register at the registration table. A cash bar will be available for those thirsty from learning all day. :
Who wouldn’t want a chance to win $$$$? First Place: $100.00 pp Second Place: $50.00 ppThird Place: $25.00 pp
Silent Auction
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Don’t forget to bring some cash or use a little of the cash you win at the Sputum Bowl to bid on our Silent Auction items. Proceeds from the auction go directly into a Scholarship Fund to finance student activities, tuition assistance and educational opportunities. Erin Healey is working hard to make sure the Auction is a success.
If you or any business you know would like to donate an item to this event, please contact ?. We welcome and thank everyone who contributes to make this initiative happen. It is such a good cause, promoting our future through education and experience.
New Memberships Program Launch
RTs Beginning and Ending Careers Have a Choice in Membership Options
Two new membership programs are launching to help people at the beginning and end of their career cycles. Students and retiring members will each benefit as AARC dues tiers are
being developed to help both groups into their new life roles.
Early Renewals for Students:
A new transitional membership for Student members will be offered beginning with those who graduate in May 2015. The memberships will be highly discounted for a two-year period if the student acts six months before graduation.
Discounted offers will be presented to students six months before graduation on the following schedule:
All discounted memberships are at the digital level.
$70 for a 2- year membership if paying 90 days before graduation, or
$90 for a 2-year membership if paying up to 30 days past graduation, or
$70 for a 1-year membership if paying 31-120 days past graduation.
$40 for a 1-year membership if renewed before graduation.
After that point regular membership fees will apply. Students will receive a special email with details and a link in order to renew with the discounted membership rates.
Note: Students must wait for the email and link to take advantage of this offer.
Senior Members -65 and up-can keep in touch:
Members reaching the end of their careers, who still want to stay in touch and keep attuned to what’s happening in the profession, may want to maintain a membership through retirement. The following are features of this membership:
$25 for a 1-year membership, or $200 for a membership for life. Digital only membership, no mailed
publications Must be 65 or older; proof of age required
upon first application for this member tier. No CRCE tracking/transcript will be available. Live webcast will be available for free. AARC University courses will be charged at
non-member rates Live courses (AARC Congress and Summer
Forum) will be charged at the Student Member registration fees.
Note: Members that are retired but less than 65 years old must wait until age 65 in order to register for this dues tier. Individuals must call the AARC Customer Service Department at 972-243-2272 to receive instructions on sending in proof of age and registering for this level for the first time.
SAVE THE DATES
2015 MeSRC MEETING DATES
Educational Meeting: 1700BOD Meeting: 1800
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May 13th at the Maine Event Conference Sept 15th in Bangor (location TBA) December 10th in Lewiston (Dr. Duval's Office
or CMMC - TBA)www.mesrc.org
American Lung Association’sAsthma Seminar
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Cost: $ 75.00 Contact hours: 6.0
For more informationContact Lee B. Gilman at [email protected]
GOOD NEWS from KVCC
I am delighted to let you know the college’s administration is securing bridge funding for the Respiratory Therapy program. The administration has determined that KVCC will accept a new class of students for fall 2015. This
is great news for the program. The program’s faculty and Admissions Office are actively recruiting and processing applications for prospective students. Although this development does not assure the continued longevity of the program it does give time to explore additional funding sources and increased efficiencies. A revision in the curriculum model has also contributed to the administration’s support to continue the program.
If you are able to submit articles or points of interest to your facilities newsletter and are willing, please place the following information in the next upcoming issue.
KVCC is now accepting applications to the Respiratory Therapy program for fall 2015. Apply now!For more information visit www.kvcc.me.edu or contact C J McKenna – Director of Admissions at [email protected] or Barbara Larsson – Program Director at [email protected] .
Barbara Larsson, M.Ed., RRT
KVCCs Respiratory Therapy class of 2016 is participating in the Great Strides for Cystic Fibrosis walk in Bar Harbor on September 26th 2015. We are excited to start our path as respiratory therapists by supporting this worthy cause. If you are interested in sponsoring our team, “The Inspirations” with a donation it can be done directly by going to http://fightcf.cff.org/ or contact Alanna Graham at [email protected] to answer questions or if you are interested in walking with us. Thanks!
AARC Government Affairs
Why Congress Should Co-Sponsor and Support the Medicare Telehealth Parity Act
LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND
The Medicare Telehealth Parity Act can expand opportunities for Medicare beneficiaries to improve health outcomes by adding new originating sites, practitioners and services.
Licensed respiratory therapists are covered as qualified practitioners in addition to audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and certified diabetes educators.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of three chronic conditions covered under remote patient management services that include patient monitoring, training, clinical observation, assessment and treatment. Other chronic conditions include congestive heart failure and diabetes if furnished at Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Respiratory services are covered as well as audiology and other therapy services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology.
Home telehealth services in conjunction with hospice care, home dialysis, home health services and durable medical equipment are also covered
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Additional originating sites in Metropolitan Statistical Areas with a population of at least 100,000 will be added over a phased-in period of time offering additional benefit to Medicare beneficiaries.
Studies called for in the bill have the potential to show how respiratory therapists and other practitioners and services can reduce hospital readmissions, lower costs and improve health outcomes.
RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Access to respiratory therapists via telehealth communications for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic lung disease adds another dimension toward improving care and reducing hospital readmissions.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, COPD ranks 4th among the most costly hospital readmissions and has been added to the list of conditions subject to hospital readmissions penalties.
In 2010, Medicare beneficiaries with two or more chronic conditions including COPD and asthma accounted for almost 98% (1.9 million) of all hospital readmissions.
Fifty-two percent of Medicare beneficiaries with COPD have 5 or more other conditions; 47% of those with asthma have 5 or more other conditions.
Medicare beneficiaries trained by respiratory therapists via telehealth to recognize and reduce the symptoms and triggers of their chronic lung disease can lead to reduced exacerbations and lower the incidence of costly acute care interventions.
Respiratory therapists are the only allied health professional educated, trained and competency tested in all aspects of pulmonary medicine and the value they can bring to patients via telehealth services can be immeasurable.
Respiratory therapists are already making a difference in their hospitals by establishing best practices that reduce COPD readmissions that can also be applied via a telehealth delivery system.
Medicare beneficiaries suffering from COPD and other respiratory conditions will have greater access to respiratory therapists’ expertise via telehealth that is not available to them now.
NEW TELEHEALTH SERVICES CAN HELP MEET PULMONARY PATIENTS UNMET NEEDS
Better training and education via telehealth can improve medication adherence and oxygen utilization for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic lung disease Medication non-adherence has been estimated to
cost the US health care system between $100 billion and $289 billion in direct costs.
Due to the complexities of inhaler devices and oxygen systems, respiratory therapists’ expertise is needed to bridge the gap between pulmonary patients’ needs and their ability to minimize unnecessary, ineffective or wasteful interventions.
Proper device selection together with patient training and education on proper inhaler techniques and appropriate oxygen saturation levels can improve medication adherence and oxygen utilization.
An evaluation of an oxygen therapy clinic managed by respiratory therapists suggests that home oxygen patients can significantly decrease inappropriate supplemental oxygen use which can result in significant cost savings while improving health-care delivery.
Upfront investment of personnel in patient training in inhaler techniques can save time and resources by preventing uncontrolled exacerbations because of poor technique.
Respiratory services via telehealth and remote patient management for COPD patients can accomplish these goals.
TELEHEALTH SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT AND CAN SAVE MONEY
Telehealth services and training to teach patients how to manage their chronic lung disease have proven beneficial in reducing costly acute care interventions and improving quality of life.
In an analysis of ten clinical trials, telehealth for COPD showed a significant reduction in the number of patients with one or more emergency department (ED) visits over 12 months. The analysis concluded that telehealth appears to have a positive impact on quality of life and the number of times patients are admitted to the ED or hospital.
Twenty-one trials were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in individuals with asthma. There was a significant reduction in hospitalizations for patients with more severe asthma managed predominantly in secondary care settings.
A 2014 update to evaluate the effectiveness of self-management interventions in COPD leading to
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improved health outcomes and reduced utilization showed improved health-related quality of life, a reduction in respiratory-related hospital admissions, and improvement in dyspnea.
A one-year randomized controlled trial at five VA medical centers led by a respiratory therapist case manager implementing a simple disease management program reduced COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits by 41%.
------------------------------------------------- 1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Chronic Conditions among Medicare Beneficiaries, Chartbook: 2012 Edition” (2103). 2 http://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/Chronic-Conditions/CCDashboard.html, accessed 12.8.14. 3 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment Number 208.4. Medication Adherence Interventions: Comparative Effectiveness. Closing the Quality Gap: Revisiting the State of the Science. Executive Summary. AHRQ Pub. No. 12-E010. Sept. 2012. 4 Chaney JC, et al. Implementation of an Oxygen Therapy Clinic to Manage Users of Long-term Oxygen Therapy. Chest 2002:122:1661-1667. 5 Papi A, et al. Editorial: Inhaler devices for asthma: a call for action in a neglected field. Euro Respir J 2011:37-982-985. 6 McLean, et al. Telehealthcare for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jul 6;(7):CD007718. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD997718.pub2 7 McLean, e al. Telehealthcare for asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Oct 6;(10):CD007717. Doi: 10.1002/14651858:CDC007717.pub 2 8 Zwerink M, et al. Self-management for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Mar 19;3::CD00290. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002990.pub3. 9 Rice KL, et al. Disease management program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010 Oct 1:182(7):890-6. doi: 10:1164/rccm200910-15790C. Epub 2010 Jan 14
Jack Higgins RRT
IMPORTANT LICENSE RENEWAL REMINDER
In an effort to streamline the renewal application process, the State Department will no longer mail renewal reminders to licensees. Renewal reminders will be emailed to licensees using the email address on file with the Department. Please note this email contains the access code required to renew the license online. Licensees may check or update the email address at theWebsite for OPOR Change License Contact Information.
If you do not know your access code, have any questions, or need further clarification, pleasecontact the office at (207) 624-8603, or you may send an email to the office, [email protected].
President’s Message
It’s been an awesome long cold winter but…It’s time for a change!!
There are many ongoing risks happening in healthcare these days. Now that we are past the ½ point of the
current fiscal year for CMS, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we should have a good understanding of these risks and should be currently taking corrective actions to maximize the quality of care & safety to our patients, while at the same time, seeking ways to make care provided less costly. Some of the risks include, Value-based purchasing, HCAHPS, & readmission reduction penalties to name a few.
If you’re waiting for you manager or director to explain these risks to you and your team, stop waiting and educate yourself now. Once you’re learning about the risks, at the same time be thinking about what you, as a team, could be doing differently to drive the changes that need to happen. By understanding what’s going on, you begin to realize there are many opportunities for Respiratory Care Teams where we can help lead the change.
Many people, after hearing about the risks we are facing, will sit & wait for the message to be brought to them, waiting to be told what to do. Managers & directors, if you’re not being proactive with making necessary changes happen you have a couple options to consider: Start now or find a new career.
Ask lots of questions! Questions to consider:
Is this really the best we can do?Could we do this better?Why do we do it this way?Did I give my best effort today, could I have done better?What could we do to make this patient less non-compliant?
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RT & former hockey coach, Jack Higgins, was well known by his players for saying, “Look Around!” ~ Know what’s coming at you at all times and change quickly to keep yourself safe.
“Yesterday’s homeruns don’t win today’s games” ~ Babe RuthThe healthcare game has changed & we must be change with it.
The easiest way to stay connected with what’s going on is to get connected with AARC connect (http://connect.aarc.org/home). Don’t reinvent the wheel; we’re all going thru the same challenges across the country. AARC Connect is included with your AARC membership and puts you in touch with thousands of RT’s nationwide, sharing Q&A, policies, procedures, protocols. It’s easy & it’s free!
Embrace Change and Make a Difference!
Respectfully,
Daren Rainey, RRTMeSRC President - [email protected]
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