FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine articles from January 2004

FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine archives from January 2004

Notes from the dungeon.
January 1, 2004... Welcome to the Winter issue of FOCUS Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine--and a very special welcome to the 10,000 respiratory therapists across the country who are receiving FOCUS for the very first time. With this issue we begin a...

Accentuate the positive--how to maintain a positive mental attitude at work.(MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2004... Demanding patients... demanding administrators... endless meetings... budgetary constraints... What an array of challenges in a typical work week! And most of us can add to the list without even trying. No wonder we get the blues once in a...

Laryngotracheobronchitis and epiglottitis.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL KEEPER #7)
January 1, 2004... Upper airway disorders are common causes of illness among the pediatric population. Two such pulmonary conditions frequently seen among this group of patients are epiglottitis and laryngotracheobronchitis. In this article, the etiology,...

Nocturnal headaches--new theories, new treatments.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... Nocturnal headache disrupts sleep for many people. The pain appears suddenly and is short-lived. Once it subsides, a sufferer may go back to sleep only to be awakened a few hours later by another headache. Sufferers know from painful first-hand...

The benefits of internal networking.(Management Keeper #49)
January 1, 2004... On some level, all job hunters understand it's not what you know, it's who you know. Career counselors, however, are universally frustrated in their efforts to convince clients to conscientiously build and maintain a viable network of contacts....

Penny wise, pound foolish!(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL)
January 1, 2004... It is so frustrating to realize that the nurses get hefty raises and respiratory therapists get almost nothing, said an obviously upset Respiratory Therapist working in a NICU in a Metropolitan Atlanta Hospital. Similar complaints are heard all...

Sleep and epilepsy.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... My career in Sleep Medicine began through Respiratory Therapy. As a therapist, I had little appreciation of the complete scope EEG plays in identifying and differentiating seizure disorders. It was clear to me I was going to need more training...

A relationship ethos might help.(ETHICS IN MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2004... Just the other day, I was treating myself to a third reading of Maya Angelou's book, Wouldn't give nothin' for my journey now (Random House, NY 1993). In the chapter entitled "In All Ways a Woman" she makes the following observations: "......

Proposed home care reimbursement changes for NPPV.(RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
January 1, 2004... The challenge of providing quality health care and keeping the services cost effective has come to the forefront for noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed changing...

Drowsy driving--an epidemic?(SLEEP MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 100,000 police-reported crashes are the direct result of driver fatigue each year. Unfortunately, there is no "Breathalyzer" test to prove someone is too drowsy to drive. Many...

JCAHO initiates big changes to the survey process.(MANAGEMENT)
January 1, 2004... Beginning this year, organizations surveyed by the Joint Commission will see major changes to the survey process, as the Joint Commission begins implementation of "Shared Visions-New Pathways". Some components of this program were released...

When do rental costs warrant the purchase of ventilators?(RESPIRATORY RESEARCH)(Column)
January 1, 2004... Are you interested in research, but don't know where to begin? Hopefully, you'll find guidance in this new column, now featured in each issue of Focus. Those who know me as a past Medical Director of Respiratory Care Services or as present...

Sleep apnea and heart failure.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... It may very well be that many deaths attributed to heart disease may actually have their roots in sleep/breathing disorders. Recent findings continue to show that many heart rhythm abnormalities and heart failures may actually be caused by...

Pulmonary function testing: signals and noises.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... When I started thinking about this article, I asked the technicians in our laboratory what they considered to be the single most important issue for a pulmonary laboratory. Because they are well trained and in my laboratory, they did not...

Successful investing.(PERSONAL GROWTH)
January 1, 2004... Watch your 401(k) account closely in 2004. A lot can go wrong, so be sure your employer's menu of choices and your own investment selections are in tune with the current investment climate. These handy retirement vehicles average about...

The 4th annual FOCUS on Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine conference.
January 1, 2004... April 22-24, 2004 The Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore Maryland [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Strong Academic Program, Superb Speakers and a Fun, Affordable Time The FOCUS conference has been called "Outstanding" by 96% of...

Test anxiety in students.(FOCUS ON EDUCATION)
January 1, 2004... Test taking is an unavoidable fact of life for the American school system. Students are routinely tested throughout course curricula. Their test scores then become the basis for a number of important educational decisions. Will the student be...

Omron's Micro Air NE-U22V.(UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS EQUIPMENT REVIEWS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
January 1, 2004... The OMRON Micro Air NE-U22V nebulizer uses vibrating mesh technology to generate a dense fine-particle aerosol. Aerosol particles are formed as the solution to be aerosolized is forced through thousands of holes in a metal plate vibrating at...

Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming.(Book Review)
January 1, 2004... For many years, I've used the Encyclopedia of Sleep and Dreaming as I would any standard reference. Considering that the text is exceptionally comprehensive, I never came away from leafing through it wishing for more detail, instead I was often...

To whom it may concern: resume enclosed.(www.10minuteresume.com )
January 1, 2004... With a fresh new crew of graduate therapists on the horizon and cabin fever getting in to full swing I thought it would be timely to talk about preparing a new or updated resume. For many this task is unpleasant, tedious, frustrating, and...

Assisted ventilation of the neonate.
January 1, 2004... This is the fourth edition of a venerable textbook that had its origin in 1981. Edition 3 came out in 1996 and there have been many new developments in neonatal respiratory care since then. Think: ECMO, iNO and HFO, among others. This book...

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy--is this service in your departments future?(HYPERBARIC MEDICINE)
January 1, 2004... Approximately six years ago, I recommended starting a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) service to my administrator. I was director of respiratory / pulmonary services at the time and then, as now, we were always looking for ways to expand...

HME accreditation as a condition for Medicare participation.(HOMECARE)
January 1, 2004... Among the many provisions found in the 681 pages of the 2003 Medicare Reform Act passed and signed in December is one that has received little public acknowledgement. This provision, found in the Medicare Part B section "... requires the...

Distance education: an overview.(EDUCATION)
January 1, 2004... Distance education was defined by educational theorist Michael Moore as: "The family of instructional methods in which the teaching behaviors are executed apart from the learning behaviors... so that communication between the learner and the...

The NBRC--yours, mine and ours.(National Board for Respiratory Care)(Column)
January 1, 2004... A couple of years ago I suggested to the publisher of this journal that he should include a "letters to the NBRC" section. It has bothered me for some time that the National Board for Respiratory Care appears to be somewhat disconnected or...

Need sleep tech education? Go to the source!(Association of Polysomnographic Technologists)
January 1, 2004... NEW! Artifact & Troubleshooting Guide Full-color booklet with Polysomnographic recording samples designed to assist in troubleshooting during data acquisition, or as a reference during scoring records. Each artifact sample lists separate...

Being the best means educating about sleep, too.(National Sleep Foundation )
January 1, 2004... The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) can help your sleep center successfully reach out and educate your community about the importance of sleep to health and about the signs and symptoms of sleep disorders. Last year more than 550 sleep...

On a lighter side with Andy Rooney.
January 1, 2004... One of the difficult things to determine in life is how much authority to give to someone, who is smart about one thing, in an area about which he or she has no experience. In the recent Iowa vote--which they call a "caucus"--several...

Filters for spirometers and PF Labs.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The Nagel Network offers 4 viral filters guaranteed to fit any spirometer in any PF Lab. As a leading distributor we guarantee the lowest prices and can ship same day or overnight if needed. Bacterial filtration efficiency is 99.99%, Viral...

Inductrotrace System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Data Examiner enhances the Inductotrace System, providing an interface to Windows 9X/NT via a RS-232 serial port from which the device is powered, (no batteries or power connection). Included software provides an effective method to capture...

New packaging of Albuteral 0.5%.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Nephron's 0.5% Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Solution is the first FDA approved packaging of this medication in 0.5mL single, unit-of-use vials. This is a sterile, preservative, additive free, oral inhalation solution in a dosage form that is...

New Transport Ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The Pneuton Transport Ventilator (pronounced newton) provides adult/pediatric volume targeted ventilation and high performance CPAP for use in hospital, MRI and EMS environments. Fully pneumatic technology eliminates the need for batteries. A...

Comfort Seal[TM] Foam on ALIZES[TM].(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The Comfort Seal[TM] Foam accessory is a very soft, inert, medical grade foam that is preferred by many ALIZES[TM] customers. This Foam Accessory assures a soft, comfortable, leak-free fit while sleeping with the ALIZES[TM] Mask on. The...

EasyOne Spirometry System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... 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...

Solutions for staff shortages.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Finally, a solution for staff shortages and retention that works. Attract all the staff you need. Train and educate current and new staff. Increase staff loyalty and retention. It's like having your own small college. For information on how you...

New aerosol delivery system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Healthline Medical, Inc., of Baldwin Park, CA announces their Medicator[R] Aerosol Maximizer, a patented, high-efficiancy delivery system for respiratory therapy, systemic drug delivery and new drug research applications. The unique, patented...

SportNeb nebulizer/compressor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Medical Industries America is proud to have shipped their one millionth SportNeb nebulizer/compressor this year. The quality construction of this 35 PSI piston compressor has die-cast aluminum components for years of reliable service. The...

O2 analyzers & replacement sensors.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... VTI manufactures O2 analyzers, monitors, and replacement O2 sensors. Our monitor is a full feature unit that remains outside of the capital budget. Our O2 analyzer has been developed for "spot checks" in instances where alarms are not...

New grant available.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Healthline Aerosol Medicine, manufacturer of the high-efficiency, environmentally protective Medicator[R] aerosol drug delivery system, announces an Aerosol Investigator Grant. The grant will be awarded to an AARC-member respiratory...

Professional staffing services.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... RTTEMPS and RNTEMPS provide qualified Respiratory Therapy and Nursing staff for short-term or long-term assignments nationwide. Founded and operated by healthcare professionals, RTTEMPS and RNTEMPS are dedicated to meeting the staffing needs of...

Silicone re-usable resuscitators.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Laerdal's[R] re-useable resuscitator is easy to assemble and use. It offers sensitivity to signal changes in impedance to gas flow and has superior re-expansion qualities. The one-piece see-through mask design offers a better seal, is easier to...

New airway pressure monitor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... ResMed Corp's ResAlarm II airway pressure monitor featuring a backlit LCD screen provides viewing from across a room. The peak airway pressure display and pressure bar graph verify accuracy of breath delivery. An internal battery automatically...

New humidifier heater.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The DeVilbiss 9200 Humidifier Heater is a new addition to the DeVilbiss sleep therapy line. The DeVilbiss 9100 Humidifier stacks on top of this new heater providing an addon solution for patients requiring heated humidity. Temperature can be...

Medtrade award winner.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Excitement filled the air during Medtrade 2003 for Sunrise Medical. The latest product release from DeVilbiss, the FlexAire Mask, was chosen the Most Innovative New Product of the Year. This annual award, given by the Medtrade Group of VNU...

VIP[TM] ORO-nasal CPAP Vmasks.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The world's best fitting, most comfortable, leak-free Masks now have a New button-on accessory seal named the Sensa Seal[TM] which allows 5 more half-sizes to the existing range of 5 sizes. The Sensa Seal[TM] is an optional accessory to solve...

Audio monitoring for the sleep lab.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Louroe Electronics is a U.S. manufacturer and leader in the field of audio monitoring technology. We specialize in providing audio monitoring systems for customers requiring extra sensitive and clear audio transmission. These markets include...

Littmann stethoscope model 2000.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... 3M manufactures the Littman Electronic Stethoscope Model 2000 which amplifies sounds up to 14 times (20 decibels) greater than conventional stethoscopes. With state-of-the-art filtering systems and an ergonomic design, the Model 2000 is an...

Oral AND nasal suction device.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The Neotech Little Sucker is a soft, simple suction device designed for oral AND nasal suction of patients. It is designed to have some of the features of the bulb syringe but all the advantages of wall suctioning. Try and and you'll agree.......

Partnership with imt medical.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Michigan Instruments, Inc. announces the PneuView[R] Flow Analyser[TM]. Based on the imtmedical PF300 Flow Analyser[TM], the device is the perfect compliment to the PneuView[R] TTL[R] Training and Test Lung Systems. The operation of modern...

Portex[R] tracheostomy products.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Portex[R] manufactures high-quality tracheostomy products. Combining Per-fit[TM], D.I.C.[R], Blue Line[R] and Bivona[R] product ranges, Portex[R] offers you an unmatched selection of tracheostomy products including adult and pediatric tubes,...

Value in pre-owned equipment.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Save 30%-40% on quality, pre-owned equipment. Excellent values on ventilators, oximeters, PFT units, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen monitors, cardiac monitors, stress test equipment, defibrillators and more, all backed with full warranties....

New vital signs monitor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The CAS 740 vital signs monitor offers leading-edge technology in a rugged, portable unit weighing only 3 lbs. With CAS's proprietary MAXNIBP[TM] technology and Masimo SET[R], pulse oximetry, there is no better solution for monitoring during...

Home disinfection training kit.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... An introductory training package is now available for CONTROL III[R] surface and instrument home disinfecting products. This package includes educational patient materials describing product applications and usage. Product samples with patient...

New Keystone 3 PFT lung analyzer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Pulmonary Data Services, Inc. introduces the all new Keystone3, modernizing the industry standard Keystone PF Analyzer. The affordable Keystone3 is a comprehensive PF system, which performs spirometry, FRC and DLCO. The system features advanced...

Bronchial provocation device.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The TURBOAIRE CHALLENGER from EQUILIBRATED BIO SYSTEMS, INC. is an excellent source of portable arctic air for bronchial provocation and Exercise Induced Asthma studies. Perform bronchial challenge testing using cold air, without the wait or...

New oxygen monitor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... MSA is proud to offer its new portable MiniOX[R] 3000 Oxygen Monitor replacing our long-running MiniOX III Monitor. The MiniOX 3000 Monitor with large display features automatic calibration, battery strength indicator, alarm verification...

Oakes' ventilator management.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... THE GOLD STANDARD--For quick and easy bedside reference: ACCP/AARC/SCCM Weaning/Discontinuation Guidelines, ARDS Network, COPD GOLD Standard, NIH Asthma, AHA Near-Fatal Asthma, AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines, Lung-Protective Strategies,...

VORTRAN products.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... VORTRAN manufactures a unique line of inexpensive, single patient use, respiratory products for hospital and home: VORTRAN Automatic Resuscitator (VAR) -- a MRI compatible, hands-free automatic resuscitator for transport and emergency....

Futuremed introduces "Bubbles".(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Futuremed's new SpiroVision-3+ for Windows now includes the "Bubbles" incentive display, using soap bubbles to encourage patients during spirometry testing. During an FVC maneuver, an "actual bubble" based on real test data forms within a...

Modular blood gas system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... AVL OMNI Systems offer optional menu additions for centralized and decentralized hospital testing. High volume blood gas testing, full automated quality control, touch-and-go operation, maintenance-free electrodes, liquid calibration, extensive...

100% plastic blood gas capillary tubes.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... RAM Scientific's 100% plastic blood gas capillary tubes are the perfect replacement for glass tubes. They come in three sizes: 115mL, 150mL, and 230mL, and are available with either sodium or balanced heparin for accurate testing of pH, blood...

New recording device website.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Watch our Product Family Grow in 2004! BRAEBON Medical Corporation invites you to visit our new website featuring the new & revolutionary MediPalm[R] family of Personal Recording Devices. For Product Technical Information, Events and...

New ventilator introduced.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The e500 Ventilator is a critical care ventilator that allows clinicians to focus on patient care. Designed for simplicity of use, the e500 provides mode selection, expanded monitoring and enhanced safety features making it ideal for...

New holding chamber.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... PARI Respiratory Equipment, Inc.'s new Vortex[TM], non electrostatic valved holding chamber increases the amount of a given medication dose that gets delivered to the patient's lungs. With most aerosol chambers particles are trapped in the...

New features on full face masks.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... The ALIZES[TM] Nasal Mask is available in 3 sizes and is a steam autoclavable/pasteurizable & dishwasher safe Mask which deflects the exhaled air from the sleep mate, fits & forms to any nose shape and has the popular Comfort Seal[TM] Foam...

New marketing manager.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Sleepmate announces that Joseph Anderson, RPSGT, RPFT, CRT-NPS, BS has been appointed Marketing Manager. Joe brings 20 years of clinical practice as well as 10 years of Marketing and Product Management experience to his expanded role as...

The secretion solution.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Reducing ICU Heated Water Bath costs to near zero is the goal of ARC Medical, Inc. The ThermoFlo[TM] System provides optimal humidification so that sputum characteristics are unchanged when compared to heated water baths. The ThermoFlo[TM]...

Inspiratory Flow Meter.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Ferraris Medical, Inc. introduces the In-Check[TM] Dial Inspiratory Flow Meter, a new training device that offers an easy solution to wondering if your patients are receiving the optimum benefits from their inhaled medications. By selecting the...

Manual Jet Ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Instrumentation Industries, Inc.'s Manual Jet Ventilator and Transtracheal Catheter may be the emergency intervention of choice for the patient with facial trauma, partial airway obstruction, upper airway bleeding, or otherwise difficult airway...

Cable rebuilding and replacement.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Beta Biomed offers cost effective repair, rebuild or replacement of all Pulse Ox Finger Sensor Cables and includes a one-year warranty. We also repair fetal monitoring cables, ECG recording and monitoring cables, Holter monitors, and...

Finger Oximeter.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... BCI, Inc., introduces the Digit[TM] Finger Oximeter providing fast, reliable SpO2, pulse and pulse strength measurements on pediatric--adult patients. The pocket-size Digit[TM] has a large LED display for use in many light environments,...

New octagonal sleep watch.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
January 1, 2004... Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc. now offers the Octagonal SLEEP WATCH. This innovative xmotor activity recorder with 2MB memory; event marker; 2-3 Hz filter; sensitivity .016G at mid band; and numerous codes of operation. It includes an LCD feature...