FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine articles from June 2003

FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine archives from June 2003

Notes from the dungeon.
June 22, 2003... Welcome to the Summer issue of FOCUS Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine. Hopefully, everyone receiving this issue just received a copy of the 9th annual FOCUS Buyer's Guide, which was mailed out about a week ago. If, for some reason,...

Workers comp: putting a lid on costs.(Management)
June 22, 2003... If your institution is like most, there's a tremendous concern about the rising costs of employee benefits. And few such costs are rising as rapidly as for workers compensation insurance. Premiums for workers comp have risen 50% nationwide...

Asbestosis--a primer and an update.(Clinical Keeper #5)
June 22, 2003... Asbestosis is one of many pneumoconioses. The term pneumoconiosis is derived from the Greek words pneumo and konia meaning "lung" and "dust," respectively. It encompasses pulmonary conditions caused by the inhalation of inorganic, or mineral...

How to give and receive feedback.(Management Keeper #47)
June 22, 2003... John, one of your direct reports, is very productive but he is combative with co-workers. He will dispute the relative freshness of bagels as ardently as any other issue. Long-time co-workers of his know that he's a pain in the neck and...

Universal health insurance saves $$$.(Management)
June 22, 2003... In a report about the American Public Health Association's 2003 Convention, Reuters News Service noted that the nation s experts on health policy believe that universal health insurance is not only possible, but it would save money, too. ...

GHB and narcolepsy.(Sleep Medicine)
June 22, 2003... Soap, G, Easy Lay, Liquid Ecstasy, Grievous Bodily Harm, and Georgia Home Boy are its names on the street where it is used as an aphrodisiac or for a quick high at parties. Alternative health care advocates consider it a safe alternative to...

Proportional positive airways pressure, superior to CPAP?(Homecare)
June 22, 2003... Breathing related sleep disorders effect between two and twenty percent of the population in the United States depending on the criteria used to define these disorders. This equates to up to approximately fifteen million Americans and a large...

Pulmonary opportunistic infections.(Clinical)
June 22, 2003... Being one of the fortunate people who have received an organ transplant (kidney), recently, I contemplated this article from my hospital bed as I recovered. It more than crossed my mind that opportunistic infection was a real possibility with...

Preparing for a new boss.(Personal Growth)
June 22, 2003... The rumors are finally confirmed--you're getting a new department head, about whom you know little or nothing. You do know that there's probably a significant change in store for you and your co-workers. To handle the transition well, you need...

Watch which educational websites you refer patients to ...(Respiratory Care On-line)
June 22, 2003... As Internet access becomes more commonplace in private homes, it is becoming more reasonable to use Internet resources to provide direct patient education. One of the great challenges to any individual using the Internet as an educational...

JCAHO news--those surprise inspections.(Management)
June 22, 2003... "Knock, knock. Who's there? Your Joint Commission surveyor." Starting in 2006, this will be a reality, according to an announcement made by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) earlier this year. Presented...

The clinical application of "Bubble" CPAP in the infant patient.(Clinical)
June 22, 2003... It would be less than honest of me if I did not begin this column with an acknowledgement of the "Father" of Bubble CPAP, Jen-Tien Wung, MD., FCCM. Professor Wung has been practicing and teaching the way of bubble CPAP at Columbia for over two...

Protocols for assessing sleepiness and alertness.(Sleep Medicine)
June 22, 2003... There are many consequences of sleep disorders. Some of these include impairment of daytime function. This impairment of day-time function can be objectively evaluated in the sleep disorders center. Two methods used to assess the impact of...

Remmy and the Brain Train.(Book Review)
June 22, 2003... Since our non-stop 24-hour society is not limited to adult sleep, good sleep hygiene (namely getting to bed early), learned as children, can reward us throughout our lives. As adults, we understand that when we lose sleep we are not, as a...

Every family needs a financial plan.(Personal Growth)
June 22, 2003... "I'm going to buy a house, but first I'm meeting tomorrow with my financial planner," said the 30-something woman to an older co-worker in the department store. "Must be nice," her co-worker responded. "I wouldn't know what to tell a financial...

VersaMed's iVent201[TM] ventilator system: a revisit.(University Of Kansas Equipment Reviews)
June 22, 2003... Although we reviewed this ventilator a year and a half ago VersaMed has made a significant addition to the iVent201[TM], capabilities which warrants another look. We also note that we took one of these ventilators to Vietnam and China during...

What's wrong with these students nowadays?(Education)
June 22, 2003... In 1997, a book came out which rocked the higher education community. Generation X Goes to College, written by Peter Sacks, turned out to be a blockbuster. The author's name is actually a pseudonym. This journalist-turned college...

To turn or not to turn: base the decision on research.(Clinical)
June 22, 2003... "Teach us to live that we may dread unnecessary time in bed. Get people up and we may save our patients from an early grave." In a 1947 article published in the British Medical Journal, Dr Asher made that statement. However, it has taken a long...

Fundamentals of Mechanical Ventilation.(Book Review)
June 22, 2003... In this issue, I am privileged to review Fundamentals of Mechanical Ventilation (a short course in the theory and application of mechanical ventilators) by Robert L. Chatburn RRT. This is another "small" book that is big in content. I must...

Upcoming APT meetings.(News From The APT)
June 22, 2003... Two major APT Educational seminars are planned for the near future by the APT Education Committee. The APT Fall 2003 ADVANCED REVIEW COURSE will be held in Philadelphia, PA, Sunday Oct. 5th through Tuesday Oct. 7th 2003 at the Philadelphia...

APT awards 2003.(News From The APT)
June 22, 2003... At the APT Annual Meeting in June, the 2003 APT Award winners were honored through the generosity of numerous, continued APT supporters. This meeting marked the 25th Anniversary of the APT, and Dr. Sharon Keenan shared many vintage photos and...

Legislation would give homebound patients access to RT's.(News From The AARC)(Brief Article)
June 22, 2003... The AARC has announced that on July 28, 2003, Congressman Rick Renzi (R) of Arizona introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would give homebound Medicare patients with pulmonary diseases access to care from respiratory...

AARC publishes new SARS Guidance Document.
June 22, 2003... The AARC has just published a new SARS Guidance Document (found at www.aarc.org/resources/sars/index.asp). The document provides a broad overview of the illnesses history to date, along with targeted information aimed at helping RTs deliver...

Cultural diversity: American style.(Homecare)
June 22, 2003... A lot of attention has recently been placed on cultural diversity. There have been numerous conferences, meetings and presentations on this subject; all in an attempt to have practitioners become more sensitive and open to the "inner workings"...

Personal practice tips.(Personal Growth)
June 22, 2003... Too Much of A Good Thing... Researchers found that exercising strenuously 4 to 5 times per week depresses the immune system. People who worked out 3 times per week were generally much healthier. Over exercising seems to wear down the...

On liking your work.(On A Lighter Side With Andy Rooney)
June 22, 2003... Over the years, I never cared much for some of the most popular television comedians. Milton Berle never got to me and I couldn't stand Jerry Lewis. Until I saw him in action first hand, I had been lukewarm about Bob Hope. Enthusiasm isn't...

Michael McPeck RRT, joins Healthline Medical, Inc.(Brief Article)
June 22, 2003... Michael McPeck RRT, a veteran respiratory therapist, educator, researcher and author, has joined Healthline Medical, Inc., of Baldwin Park, CA as their Director of Aerosol Medicine. McPeck, considered to be an expert in the area of aerosolized...

Filters for spirometers and PF labs.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The Nagel Network offers 4 viral riflers 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...

Ambulatory monitoring.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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...

Multi-setting ventilator.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... VersaMed Inc. is a leading manufacturer of intelligent ventilation systems. VersaMed Inc.'s iVent201 flawlessly performs invasive and non-invasive ventilation, using the same circuit, with volume and pressure control modes in SIMV or A-C, as...

CPAP/BiLevel/NPPV MASKS.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Designers & Manufacturers of respiratory products & patient interfaces since 1938 which include TWO NEW Dishwasher Safe & Steam Autoclavable CPAP/BiLevel/NPPV MASKS. The Oro-Nasal (Full Face) 7600 V.I.P. Vmask[per thousand] and the ALIZES[TM]...

EasyOne Spirometry System.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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...

Rotational Mattress Replacement System.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Hill-Rom introduces the V-Cue[R] Dynamic Air Therapy[R] Mattress Replacement System. The V-Cue[R] unit is the first rotational mattress replacement system designed to meet the needs of the critically ill and the higher-acuity, med surg patient....

New aerosol delivery system.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Healthline Medical, Inc., of Baldwin Park, CA announces their Medicator[R] Aerosol Maximizer, a patented, high-efficiency delivery system for respiratory therapy, systemic drug delivery and new drug research applications. The unique, patented...

SportNeb nebulizer/compressor.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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 diecast aluminum components for years of reliable service. The recent...

O2 analyzers & replacement sensors.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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...

Professional staffing services.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... RTTEMPS and RNTEMPS provide qualified Respiratory Therapy and Nursing staff far 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)
June 22, 2003... 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 bag re expansion qualities. The one piece see-through mask design offers a better seal, is...

New airway pressure monitor.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... The DeVilbiss 9200 Humidifier Heater is a new addition to the DeVilbiss sleep therapy line. The DeVilbiss 9100 Humidifier stacks on top of Ibis new heater providing an addon solution for patients requiring heated humidity. Temperature can be...

Oxygen-safe thread sealants.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Fluoramics Inc. offers two oxygen-safe thread sealants for use in medical and cryogenic applications. Both LOX-8 PASTE and FORMULA-8 are oxygen-safe, inert to aggressive chemicals and have been NASA tested. LOX-8 PASTE is also hydrophobic, so...

New Oro-Nasal CPAP--Bilevel Mask.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 7600 Vmask[TM] dishwasher safe Oro-Nasal (full face) CPAP Mask fits under the patient's chin to maintain a leak free, comfortable fit and eliminates the mask riding up the patients face. This soft, silicone rubber, sin Ale piece mask is...

Audio monitoring for the sleep lab.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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...

Littman Stethoscope Model 2000.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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 ergonom ic design, the Model 2000 is an...

Oral and nasal suction device.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The Neotech Little Sucker is a soft, simple suction device designed for oral AND nasal suction of patients. 8 is designed to have some of the fea tures of the bulb syringe but all the advantages of wall suctioning. Try and and you'll agree.......

Breath Simulation Module.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Michigan Instruments, Inc. has introduced a Breath Simulation Module that will turn existing Michigan Instruments lung models into a spontaneously breathing lung simula tion system. The system simulates a spontaneously breathing patient for...

Portex[R] tracheostomy products.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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 and pre-owned equipment.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Save 30%-40% on quality, pre-owned equipment. Excellent values on ventilators, oximeters, PPT units, end tidal CO2 monitors, oxygen monitors, cardiac monitors, stress test equipment, defibrillators and more, all backed with full warranties....

New tabletop mini-pasteurmatic.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... IDEAL FOR SLEEP LABS... This edition to Olympic's Pasteurmatic line is ideal for low volume reprocessing needs. Tabletop design requires no hard wiring or plumbing--just fill with tap water and plug in. Like all Pasteurmatics, the Mini uses...

Home disinfection training kit.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... Pulmonary Data Services, Inc. introduces the all new Kin/stone3, modernizing the industry standard Keystone PF Analyzer. The affordable Keystone3 is a comprehensive PF system, which performs spirometry, FRC and DLCO. The system features...

Bronchial provocation device.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The TURBOAIRE CHALLENGER from FQUILIBRATED 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)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... VORTRAN Medical Technology 1 manufacturer of 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...

Futuremed introduces "Bubbles".(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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...

New handheld spirometer.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... SCHILLER's SPIROVIT SP-2 offers superior performance in a small, handheld, cost-effective system. Test results are displayed on a LCD-screen with as many as 6 samples per patient, or a total of 300 samples, Pre and post results can be compared...

New hand-held spirometer.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The new MicroGP spirometer from Micro Direct, Inc, offers exceptional features at an exceptional price and a high degree of accuracy with simplicity of operation. Available in two versions, The basic MicroGP meas ures eight key diagnostic...

New ventilator introduced.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The Newport HT50 Ventilator is appropriate for pediatrics and adults, and is suitable for emergency room, sub acute care, homecare and transport applications. The HT50 features an internal micro dual piston gas delivery system, a 10-hour...

New holding chamber.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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...

Autoclavable ALIZES[TM] Nasal CPAP Mask.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The New ALIZES[TN] Nasal CPAP/BiLevel Mask is a steam autoclavable & dishwasher safe Nasal Mask which deflects the exhaled air from the sleep mate, fits & forms to any nose shape and has the popular Comfort Seal[TM] Foam Accessory for added...

Neonatal/adult breathing simulator.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... Choose Boehringer Laboratories, Inc. for accuracy and safety you can trust. For over 30 years, we have designed and produced quality instruments that clinicians choose time and time again. We feature mechanical spirometers, suction regulators,...

Relief for stuffy and/or dry noses.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... The AYR[R] family of products provide relief for many patients suffering from stuffy and/or dry noses due to CPAP or BiPAP use. The Ayr family includes AYR[RM] Saline Nasal Mist, AYR[R] Saline Nasal Drops, AYR[R] Saline Nasal Gel and Baby...

The secretion solution.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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 flora their inhaled medications. By selecting...

Manual Jet Ventilator.(Product Highlights)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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)
June 22, 2003... 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...