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PLANNING GUIDE
Your guide to celebrating and promoting respiratory health
National Respiratory Care Week
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Plan a Fun and Successful National Respiratory Care Week Event
Oct. 23-29, 2016If 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’sbettertoplanonly1or2actionsuntilyouknowwhateachinvolves.Ifyouwantmore,addthemlater1or2atatime.
• Beforeyoubeginanyseriousplanning,considerwhatyouwanttoaccomplish—fun,recognition,awarenessinthehospitalorcommunity,etc.Thenkeepthosegoalsinmindthroughouttheprocess.Lotsofactivityideasfromthesuccessesofotherteamslikeyoursarelistedonpages4-9.
• Determinewhatresourcesyoucanuseatyourfacilityforadviceandhelp—marketing,publicrelations,perhapshumanresources.Theycansometimesassistwithactivitieslargeorsmall,butcontactthemearlytogivethemplentyoftime.Anddon’tforgetthepersonwhowritesthenewsletter!
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GETTING STARTED (continued)
• Ifyouwanttobranchoutintothecommunity,seewhat’sgoingonaroundtheRCWeekdatesthatofferparticipationopportunities.Fallisoftenafavoritetimeofyearforfairsorotherpublicorschoolevents.Andthemarketingdepartmentmightbeinterestedinpromotingyourfacility.
• Whenreviewingactivityideas,considerhoweachcanbedonewithadepartmentthatisonshiftsandworksinvariousareas.
• Ifyouneedavolunteerteam,besuretoaskthemearlyandbeclearaboutwhattheywillbeaskedtodo.
• Ifyouractivitiesinvolvelocalschools,bealerttotheirschedules.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!
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Step 1. SendyourphotosandstoriestoAARCandwe’llincludethemintooneorallofthefollowing:AARCnews,AARCTweets,AARCFacebookpageandAARC Timesmagazine:
Send the following information to [email protected]:
•Nameofthefacility/organizationhostingtheevent
•Yourfullnameandcredentials
•Yourcityandstate
•Youremailaddress
•Whatyoudidtocelebrate,in100wordsorless
Step 2.Don’tforgettopostphotosonyourpersonalFacebookpage,TwitteraccountandLinkedInsitetoo!Tagyourposts#rcweek.
Step 3. StaytunedtotheAARCwebsite,Facebook,TwitterandAARC Timesforaroundupofalltheactivitiesandtoseeyoursharedstoriesandphotos.
Share Your Pics and Stories with the AARC
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• Organizeaspecialeventorfreehealthscreeningatyourfacility,aschoolorotherlocalvenuetoeducatethecommunity
•SponsoreventsthatofferemployeescontinuingeducationforCRCE,acknowledgementofaccomplishmentsorteambuildingactivities
• RecruitfutureRTsbyprovidinginformationaboutrespiratorytherapiststhroughpresentationsorcareerfairs
• RaisefundsfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation(ARCF),whichsupportsrespiratoryresearchandeducationforrespiratoryprofessionalsandthepatientstheyserve
SavetheDate!FutureNationalRespiratoryCareWeeks
RespiratoryCareWeekisalwayscelebratedonthelastfullweekofOctober(SundaythroughSaturday).Upcoming dates are:
• October22-28,2017• October21-27,2018• October20-26,2019
What Are Some Ways That Respiratory Therapists Can Raise Awareness About
Lung Health and Respiratory Care?Therearemanywaystoengageyourstaff,facilityandcommunity.Explorethesepopularideasandthefollowingpagestoseewhatfitswithinyourbudgetandresources.
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Events and Activities for Employees•Acknowledgetheaccomplishmentsofyourteam,includingadministrativestaff,withanawardsluncheonorevent.
•Holdabrownbaglunchthatprovidescontinuingeducationcredit.
•ThankeveryoneonyourstaffwithapersonalnoteoreCard.
•Makeavideoaboutyourrespiratorydepartmentandshowitatapizzapartyforyourstaff.
•RaisefundsfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation,supportingrespiratoryeducationandresearch.
•RewardastaffmemberwithanAARCmembership,webcast,oronlineeducationalcourse.
•Raisefundswitharaffletosendstaffmemberstoeducationalseminars,yourstateconference,ortheAARCCongress.
•GiveawaydoorprizesatastaffBingonight.
•InvitemanagementtoanRCWeekstafffunction.
•Playarespiratoryordepartmenttriviagameorhaveamini-SputumBowl.
•Designateafriendsandfamilyday.Invitespousesandchildrentocometothefacilitytolearnmoreaboutwhatyoudo.
•Ifyourhospitalsponsorsresearchinrespiratorydiseases,asktheresearcherstoupdateyourteamonwhat’shappeninginthisimportantarena.
•Inadditiontoregularawards,makearecognitioneventfunwithcomedyawardsfor“mostcreative”momentsor“fastestonyourfeet.”
•Sendathankyounotetootherswhosupportyourteamwithaformallettertotheirmanagers.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
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Events and Activities for Students and Future RTs
•Contactthelocalhighschoolscienceclubsorhealthscienceeducationclassesandoffertobeaspeakeraboutacareerasarespiratorytherapist.
•InvitethegraduatingclassoflocalRTstudentstoaninformationsessionorQ&Aatyourfacility.
•Haveacareerdayandinvitestudentsandguidancecounselorstocometoyourfacilitytolearnmoreaboutyourdepartmentandtheprofession.
•ImplementamentoringprogramwithRTstudentsinyourarea.
•Asklocalhighschoolsorcommunitycollegesiftheyhavecareerfairsandasktoparticipate.
•ManyhighschoolsandcollegeshavetheirownTVorradiostations.Contactthemtoseeifyoucangetonalocalshowtotalkabouttheprofession.
IDEAS
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Events and Activities for the Community
•Gatherateamtoparticipateinalocal5KorotherfunruneventandwearyourRCWeekt-shirts.
•Setupatableatalocalfallfairwithinformationaboutlunghealthawareness.
•Haveabowlingtournamentorvolleyballtournamentatafavoritelocalspotandinvitethecommunityandthepress.
•Setupafundraisertosendapediatricpatienttoasthmacamp.
•ContactlocalschooladministratorsandschoolnursesaboutparticipatingintheAARC’sPeakPerformanceUSA.
•Conductan“MDI/DPICheck-UpClinic”tocheckyourpatients’techniqueswiththeiraerosoldeliverydevices.
•Enlistanasthmapatientwhoparticipatesinschoolsportstoencourageotheryoungpatientstobecomemoreactive.
•Getinvolvedwithcommunityanti-smokingcampaigns.
•Invitelocaltelevision,radio,andnewspaperreporterstotakeaspirometrytestandlearnwhysuchtestingisimportant.
•WorkwithfitnessexpertsfromlocalhealthclubsaboutexercisesforCOPDpatients.Asklocaltelevisionstationstocoverit.
•Offerafreesessiononasthmatriggersatthelibrary,YMCA,seniorcenter.
•Performspirometryscreeningsatalocalseniorcenter.
•Providelocalpubliclibrariesandseniorcenterswithalistingofwebsiteaddressestopostforpatrons.
•SetupafundraiserforrespiratoryeducationandresearchfortheAmericanRespiratoryCareFoundation.
IDEAS
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Events and Activities for Facilities•Putanannouncementonyourfacility’scomputernetwork.
•Organizeanartshowandaskyourpediatricpatientstocreatepostersaboutbreathingorair.
•AskalocalcheftopreparesomehealthyfoodsinaneducationalactivityforyourCOPDpatients.
•Placeanannouncementaboutyouractivitiesinthehospitalnewsletter/calendarofevents.
•Haveapeakflowcontesttoseewhohasthemost“hotair.”
•OrganizeaVent5K.
•Holdabrownbaglunchandinviteotherfacilitystafftohelpbringthemuptodateonthelatestadvancesinrespiratorycare.
•ShowtheLifeandBreathvideointhecafeteriaduringalunchhourtodemonstratetheroleofrespiratorytherapistsinhealthcare.
IDEAS
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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• Peak Performance USA Thisfreeprogramisdesignedtoassistschoolnursesandpersonneltohelpchildrenlivehealthierlivesbycontrollingtheirasthma.
• High School Career ProjectWorkwithlocalhighschoolsinyourareatoinformstudentsandteachersabouttherewardsandopportunitiesofbecomingarespiratorytherapist.
ADDITIONAL IDEAS
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Get the Word Out with Public Relations
•Encourageyourmanagement,marketingandpublicrelationsdepartmentstogetinvolvedinyouractivitiestogainfreepublicityforthefacilityorcompany.
•ObtainanOfficialRCWeekProclamationfromtheGovernororMayor.Visithttp://tinyurl.com/governor-proclamationformoredetails.
•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.offerthemedproductstosupportyoureventsandactivitiesforRCWeek—andanyothertimeofyear.
The AARC RC Week Store:•OffersAARCMemberdiscounts•SupportsAARCprogramsandservicesformembers•AcceptsVisa,MasterCard,AmericanExpress,andDiscover
Frequently Asked Questions:
(Q)HowdoIgetadiscountforbeinganAARCmember?
(A)EnteryourAARCmembernumberwhenshoppingandyou’llreceivethediscountedmemberprice.
(Q) WhodoIcontactwithquestionsaboutproductorders?
(A) 1)QuestionsaboutproductsorordersfromtheRCWeekstorecontact:[email protected].
2)Questionsabouteducational,management,orprofessionalproductsfromtheAARCStorecontact:[email protected].
Visit the AARC RC Week Store for official RC Week products
RC Week Store: www.jimcolemanstore.com/rcweek/
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Additional Respiratory Products and Handouts 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
AM
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Asthma Health Tips2_Layout 1 9/23/13 11:10 AM Page 1
TheAARCstoreprovidesrespiratoryprofessionalswithcontinuingeducationproducts,DVDs,managementtools,brochures,handoutsandguidesforrecruitingfuturerespiratorytherapistsandeducatingpatients.RefertotheAARCstoreanytimeofyeartosupplementyourrespiratoryfacilityandeventneeds.
AARC Store: c.aarc.org/go/aarcstore
