PLANNING GUIDE

Your guide to celebrating and promoting respiratory health

National Respiratory Care Week

http://c.aarc.org/go/rcweek17

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Plan a Fun and Successful National Respiratory Care Week Event

October 22-28, 2017If you’re planning to celebrate Respiratory Care Week this year, the American Association for Respiratory Care has what you need to get started planning and to keep you on track. AARC applauds you for getting involved and for raising awareness in respiratory health and inspiring your fellow respiratory therapists!

GETTING STARTED

It’s important to plan ahead to have the most successful National Respiratory Care Week event! Here are a few steps you should take 2-3 months before your RC Week event:

• Talktoyourmanagerbefore(andafter)youstartmakingplans.Keephim/herinformedandbesureyouknowthebudget,especiallyifthereisn’tone!

• Findoutwhathasbeendoneinthepast.Werethoseactivitiesonesyou’dliketorepeat?Arethereanyspecialtraditionsorawardsthatshouldbecontinued?

• Keepitsimple.It’sbettertoplanonly1or2activitiesuntilyouknowwhateachinvolves.Ifyouwantmore,addthemlater1or2atatime.

• Beforeyoubeginanyseriousplanning,considerwhatyouwanttoaccomplish—fun,recognition,awarenessinthehospitalorcommunity,etc.Thenkeepthosegoalsinmindthroughouttheprocess.Activityideasfromthesuccessesofotherteamslikeyoursarelistedonpages4-9.

• Determinewhatresourcesyoucanuseatyourfacilityforadviceandhelp—marketing,publicrelations,orperhapshumanresources.Theycansometimesassistwithactivitieslargeorsmall,butcontactthemearlytogivethemplentyoftime.Anddon’tforgetyoursocialmediaexpertorthecommunicationmanager.

VisittheRCWeekStoreforfungiftsand

promotionalproducts!

http://c.aarc.org/go/rc-products

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GETTING STARTED (continued)

• Ifyouwanttobranchoutintothecommunity,seewhat’sgoingonaroundtheRCWeekdatesthatofferparticipationopportunities.Fallisoftenafavoritetimeofyearforfairsorotherpublicorschoolevents.Andthemarketingdepartmentmightbeinterestedinpromotingyourfacility.

• Whenreviewingactivityideas,considerhoweachcanbedonewithadepartmentthatisonshiftsandworksinvariousareas.

• Ifyouneedavolunteerteam,besuretoaskthemearlyandbeclearaboutwhattheywillbeaskedtodo.

• Ifyouractivitiesinvolvelocalschools,beawareoftheirschedules.Forexample,ifyouwanttobeaspeakeratahighschoolduringRCWeek,besuretomakecontactbeforesummerorassoonasschoolreopensinthefall.

• Foreachactivityyouselect,makesureyouknowwhatisrequiredandhowlongitwilltake.Makecontactatleast2–3monthsbeforeyourcelebrationforanythingthatinvolvesspecialplanningandinter-departmentalcoordination.

• Ifyouaregoingtobedoingspecialeventsinthehospitaloratpublicvenues,determinewhetherthereareanyfeesoranyspecialpermissionneeded.

One last tip: Enjoy your planning experience.

RememberthatRespiratoryCareWeek’sprimarygoalistorecognizethecontributionsofrespiratorycareprofessionalsandraiseawarenessaboutrespiratoryhealth.Thisgoalcanbeachievedinmanydifferentwaysonanytypeofbudget.AndalthoughitwouldbegreattodoeverythingyouwanttoontheactualRespiratoryCareWeek,conflictsdoarise.Somakethedatesworkforyou.

NomatterhowyoucelebrateRCWeek,spreadtheexcitementandsharewhatyou’redoingbysendingashortdescriptionofyouractivityalongwithsomephotos.Let’ssharethegreatnewsofwhathappensduringNationalRCWeek!SocialMediaisagreatplatformyoucanusetospreadpublicawarenessonRespiratoryCareWeek.BesuretovisitourRCWeekwebpageandtakeadvantageofoursocialmediatoolkit.Wealsoencourageyoutouse#RCWeek17onyourownsocialmediagraphics,andFacebookandTwitterpoststokeepthemessagingbrandedandcohesive.

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Step 1. SendyourphotosandstoriestoAARCandwe’llincludetheminoneorallofthefollowing:AARCnews,AARCTweets,AARCFacebookpageandAARC Timesmagazine:

Send the following information to bunch@aarc.org:

•Nameofthefacility/organizationhostingtheevent

•Yourfullnameandcredentials

•Yourcityandstate

•Youremailaddress

•Whatyoudidtocelebrate,in100wordsorless

Step 2.Besuretopostyour#RCWeek17photosonyourFacebookpage,TwitteraccountandLinkedInsitetoo!Tagyourposts#RCWeek17.

Step 3. StaytunedtotheAARCwebsite,Facebook,TwitterandAARC Timesforaroundupofalltheactivitiesandtoseethesharedstoriesandphotosfromyourfellowmembers.

Share Your Pics and Stories with the AARC

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• Organizeaspecialeventorfreehealthscreeningatyourfacility,aschoolorotherlocalvenuetoeducatethecommunity.

•SponsoreventsthatofferemployeescontinuingeducationforCRCE,acknowledgementofaccomplishmentsorteambuildingactivities.

• RecruitfutureRTsbyprovidinginformationaboutrespiratorytherapiststhroughpresentationsorcareerfairs.

• RaisefundsfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation(ARCF),whichsupportsrespiratoryresearchandeducationforrespiratoryprofessionalsandthepatientstheyserve.Learnmoreatwww.arcfoundation.org.

SavetheDate!FutureNationalRespiratoryCareWeeks

RespiratoryCareWeekisalwayscelebratedonthelastfullweekofOctober(SundaythroughSaturday).Upcoming dates are:

• October22-28,2017• October21-27,2018• October20-26,2019• October25-31,2020

How Can Respiratory Therapists Raise Awareness About Lung Health

and Respiratory Care?Therearemanywaystoengageyourstaff,facilityandcommunity.Explorethesepopularideashereandonthefollowingpagestoseewhatfitswithinyourbudgetandresources.

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Events and Activities for Employees•Acknowledgetheaccomplishmentsofyourteam,includingadministrativestaff,withanawardsluncheonorrecognitionreception.

•Holdaboxedlunchdaythatprovidescontinuingeducationcredit.

•ThankeveryoneonyourstaffwithapersonalnoteoreCard.

•Makeavideoaboutyourrespiratoryteamandshowitatapizzapartyforyourstaff.

•RaisefundsfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation,supportingrespiratoryeducationandresearch.

•RewardastaffmemberwithanAARCmembership,webcast,oronlineeducationalcourse.

•GiveawaydoorprizesatastaffBingonight.

•InvitemanagementtoanRCWeekstafffunction.

•Playarespiratoryordepartmenttriviagameorhaveamini-SputumBowl.

•Designateafriendsandfamilyday.Invitespousesandchildrentocometothefacilitytolearnmoreaboutwhatyoudo.

•Ifyourhospitalsponsorsresearchinrespiratorydiseases,asktheresearcherstoupdateyourteamonwhat’shappeninginthisimportantarena.

•Inadditiontoregularawards,makearecognitioneventfunwithcomedyawardsfor“mostcreative”momentsor“fastestonyourfeet.”

•Sendathankyounotetootherswhosupportyourteamwithaformallettertotheirmanagers.

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Events and Activities for Students and Future RTs

•Contactthelocalhighschoolscienceclubsorhealthscienceeducationclassesandoffertobeaspeakeraboutacareerasarespiratorytherapist.

•InvitethegraduatingclassoflocalRTstudentstoaninformationsessionorQ&Aatyourfacility.Provideatouroropenhouse.

•Haveacareerdayandinvitestudentsandguidancecounselorstocometoyourfacilitytolearnmoreaboutyourdepartmentandtheprofession.

•ImplementamentoringprogramwithRTstudentsinyourarea.

•Asklocalhighschoolsorcommunitycollegesiftheyhavecareerfairsandasktoparticipate.

•ManyhighschoolsandcollegeshavetheirownTVorradiostations.Contactthemtoseeifyoucangetonalocalshowtotalkabouttheprofession.

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Events and Activities for the Community

•Gatherateamtoparticipateinalocal5KorotherfunruneventandwearyourRCWeekt-shirts.

•Setupatableatalocalfallfairwithinformationaboutlunghealthawareness.

•Haveabowlingtournamentorvolleyballtournamentatafavoritelocalspotandinvitethecommunityandthepress.

•Setupafundraisertosendapediatricpatienttoasthmacamp.

•Conductan“InhalerCheck-UpClinic”tocheckyourpatients’techniqueswiththeiraerosoldeliverydevices.

•Enlistanasthmapatientwhoparticipatesinschoolsportstoencourageotheryoungpatientstobecomemoreactive.

•Getinvolvedwithcommunityanti-smokingcampaigns.

•Invitelocaltelevision,radio,andnewspaperreporterstotakeaspirometrytestandlearnwhysuchtestingisimportant.

•WorkwithfitnessexpertsfromlocalhealthclubsaboutexercisesforCOPDpatients.Asklocaltelevisionstationstocoverit.

•Offerafreesessiononasthmatriggersatthelibrary,YMCA,orseniorcenter.

•Performspirometryscreeningsatalocalseniorcenter.

•Providelocalpubliclibrariesandseniorcenterswithalistingofwebsiteresourcestopostforpatrons.

•SetupafundraiserforrespiratoryeducationandresearchfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation.

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Events and Activities for Facilities•Putanannouncementonyourfacility’scomputernetwork.

•Organizeanartshowandaskyourpediatricpatientstocreatepostersaboutbreathingorair.

•AskalocalcheftopreparesomehealthyfoodsinaneducationalactivityforyourCOPDpatients.

•Placeanannouncementaboutyouractivitiesinthehospitalnewsletter/calendarofevents.

•Haveapeakflowcontesttoseewhohasthemost“hotair.”

•OrganizeaVent5K.

•Inviteotherfacilitystafftoaboxedluncheventwhereyoucanbringthemuptodateonthelatestadvancesinrespiratorycare.

•ShowtheLife and Breath videointhecafeteriaduringalunchhourtodemonstratetheroleofrespiratorytherapistsinhealthcare.

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Ideas for Manufacturers, Service Providers, and Others

•SendalettertoeachcustomerwithsentimentsforRCWeek.

•Sendacompany-wideannouncementtoyouremployeesannouncingRespiratoryCareWeek,yourroleintheprofession,andtheimportanceofRTsinhealthcare.

•PostamessageorbanneronyourcompanywebsiterecognizingRespiratoryCareWeekandrespiratorytherapists.

•Sponsoranin-serviceeducationaleventforyourcustomersinhonorofRCWeek.

•PlaceanRCWeekcongratulatoryadvertisementinprofessionalpublicationsreadbyRTs.

•Makeacompanydonationtoarespiratorycharityorfoundationinthenameofrespiratorytherapists.

Other Useful Programs for RC Week• High School Career ProjectWorkwithlocalhighschoolsinyourareatoinformstudentsandteachersabouttherewardsandopportunitiesofbecomingarespiratorytherapist.

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Get the Word Out with Public Relations

•Encourageyourmanagement,marketingandpublicrelationsdepartmentstogetinvolvedinyouractivitiestogainfreepublicityforthefacilityorcompany.

•ObtainanOfficialRCWeekProclamationfromtheGovernororMayor.

•Asklocal/regionalnewspapersandmagazinesiftheyaredoingaspecialeditorialseriesinthefieldofhealthcareorhealthcareers.Perhapstheycanfeatureyourteam.

•GetonthemorningshowonTVorradiototalkaboutRCWeekandyourprofession.

•HostasilentauctiontoraisemoneyforascholarshipforanRTstudent.

•Inviteyourlocal,state,ornationalelectedofficialsintoyourfacilityandexplainwhyit’simportantthatrespiratorytherapyiscoveredinallcaresettings,includinghomecare.Makeitapublicscreeningevent,andbesurethemediaisonhand.

•Seewhatyourstatesocietyisdoing.Arethereanystatewideeventsgoingon?

•SendyourrespiratoryproductrepsanemailaboutRCWeekeventdatesandletthemknowyourplans.

•TellyourstatesocietyandyourAARCpublicrelationsdepartmentwhatyou’redoingtopromoteRCWeek.Youmayjustmakeitintoournationalmagazineorbefeaturedonthewebsite.

Public Relations ToolsUsetheAARC Member PR KittolearntipsofthetradetoturnRCWeekinyourcommunityintoapublicrelationsopportunity.For the AARC Member PR Kit visit: http://tinyurl.com/rcweek-pr

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TheAARCandRCWeekpartnerJimColeman,Ltd.offersthemedproductstosupportyoureventsandactivitiesforRCWeek—andanyothertimeofyear.

The AARC RC Week Store:•OffersAARCMemberdiscounts•SupportsAARCprogramsandservicesformembers•AcceptsVisa,MasterCard,AmericanExpress,andDiscover

Frequently Asked Questions:

(Q)How do I get a discount for being an AARC member?

(A)EnteryourAARCmembernumberwhenshoppingandyou’llreceivethediscountedmemberprice.

(Q) Who do I contact with questions about product orders?

(A) 1)QuestionsaboutproductsorordersfromtheRCWeekstorecontact:service@jimcolemanltd.comor847-963-8100.

2)Questionsabouteducational,management,orprofessionalproductsfromtheAARCStorecontact:info@aarc.orgor972-243-2272.

Visit the AARC RC Week Store for official RC Week products

RC Week Store: http://c.aarc.org/go/rc-products

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Additional Respiratory Products and Publications are Available at the

AARC Store

ASTHMALivingWell

withOver 25 million people in the United Stateshave asthma, of which about 7 million arechildren. People of all ages, races and in-come groups can develop asthma. Whilethere is no cure for asthma, symptoms suchas cough, shortness of air and wheezingcan be controlled or reduced with appropri-ate medications. Partner with your doctorand respiratory therapist to maximize youcare and treatment so that you can enjoy ahealthy and active life.

The primary goal of asthma treatment is tocontrol symptoms. This can be done byavoiding things that trigger you to havesymptoms and by correctly using the med-ication that your doctor prescribes.

How to Know if Your Asthma is Controlled:

Answer the following questions. In the past four weeks:

■ Have you used your albuterol inhalermore than twice a week? Yes/No

■ Have you missed school or work due toasthma symptoms? Yes/No

■ Have you limited physical or social activities due to asthma symptoms?Yes/No

■ Have you had symptoms while usingyour medicines every day? Yes/No

■ Have you had asthma symptoms during the night while asleep? Yes/No

If you answered “yes” to two or more of theabove, your asthma is probably not con-trolled.

Getting Control

Before you can control your asthma symp-toms, you need to be evaluated by a doctoror health care provider who understands anduses the National Asthma Education andPrevention Program (NAEPP) Guidelines onDiagnosis and Management of Asthma.He/she will perform a full assessment andmay administer a breathing test to determinethe extent of your breathing problems.

Medications

There are two types of medications used totreat asthma, relief medications and con-troller medications.

■ Relief medications are used when youhave symptoms (suddentightness in your chest,wheezing, shortness ofbreath or increasedcough). These medica-tions relax the musclesaround the breathingtubes to help you breathe

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TheAARCstoreprovidesrespiratoryprofessionalswithcontinuingeducationproducts,DVDs,managementtools,brochures,handoutsandguidesforrecruitingfuturerespiratorytherapistsandeducatingpatients.RefertotheAARCstoreanytimeofyeartosupplementyourrespiratoryfacilityandeventneeds.

AARC Store: http://c.aarc.org/go/aarc-store