FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine articles from November 2008

FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine archives from November 2008

Does a daily spontaneous breathing trial guideline work by itself?(RESPIRATORY RESEARCH)
November 1, 2008... The peer-reviewed published research article selected to teach the scientific method in this issue's column is authored by T. Elizabeth Robertson, MD, Henry J. Mann, PharmD, Robert Hyzy, MD, Angela Rogers, MD, Ivor Douglas, MD, Aaron B. Waxman,...

Vacation.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2008... "Actually, I won't be leaving the office. I'm taking a virtual two-week vacation." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Joint Commission collaborates to reduce infections.(NEWS FROM THE JOINT COMMISSION)
November 1, 2008... The Joint Commission has joined four other leading healthcare organizations in publishing evidence-based strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections. The "Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute...

CPAP treatment & epilepsy.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
November 1, 2008... A seizure is a sudden, temporary disturbance of neuronal signaling in the brain. The disturbance may result in a loss of consciousness or altered consciousness; abnormal motor phenomenon; autonomic nervous system impairment such as...

Weaning tips and tricks: the preparation phase.(MECHANICAL VENTILATION)
November 1, 2008... Eventually, nearly every intubated patient is evaluated for ventilator support withdrawal and endotracheal tube removal. For those recovering from critical illness, this process generally proceeds in stages: preparation for spontaneous...

Hypokalemia and acid base balance.(CLINICAL LABORATORY MEDICINE)
November 1, 2008... Potassium is one of the major ions found in the body. Almost 98% of the body's potassium is intracellular. Potassium is often first thought of in relation to cell membrane potential, where the ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium...

Evidence based medicine: what's not to like?(FOCUS ON EDUCATION)
November 1, 2008... By way of a commonly cited definition, evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the "conscientious and explicit use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient." The "best evidence" of course, derives from...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL KEEPER)
November 1, 2008... When baseball fans, hear the name of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), they automatically have thoughts of Lou Gehrig, the great New York Yankee first baseman. Because of his prominence, Lou Gehrig's name has become synonymous...

Aerosols with ventilators.(AEROSOL MEDICINE)
November 1, 2008... In the previous installment in this series about delivering aerosolized medication during mechanical ventilation I addressed the effect of humidification on aerosol delivery. I touched on the phenomenon of hygroscopic growth of aerosol drug...

Spirometric standards.(PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING)
November 1, 2008... The following is a second look at spirometry, which is the most important test in the pulmonary function arsenal. In part one, published previously in Focus Journal, we covered the meaning of spirometry, the structure of the test, diagnostic...

Why has central sleep apnea suddenly become so complex?(SLEEP MEDICINE)
November 1, 2008... There are patients who cannot breathe due to a variety of reasons, most of which are related to neuromuscular function that we call "apneic" or "centrally apneic." This condition can occur in people who are awake, as well as asleep. If these...

Getting in touch with your Inner Self.(Respiratory Care On-Line)(Viewpoint essay)
November 1, 2008... The effectiveness of education improves with every sense that is engaged in the process of providing that education. To quote Maria Monessori, teacher and physician, "First the education of the senses, then the education of the intellect." One...

Incompatible ring tones.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2008... "My ex and I had incompatible ring tones." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

On-call respiratory home care: tales from the trenches.(RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
November 1, 2008... For those of you who work in home care and have been on-call, this article is for you. You have been subject to emergencies and patient-related questions that required your expertise and knowledge and demanded that you took the appropriate...

New trends in capnography.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2008... Just over a year ago, consulting firm Frost & Sullivan issued a report stating that the capnography equipment market is positioned to grow by more than 5 percent annually due to the increased need of patient monitoring outside of operating...

Health care in the new presidential administration.(RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
November 1, 2008... The presidential inauguration is scheduled for January 20, 2009 and the new president will have his hands full with multiple challenges as he forms his cabinet. He will have to make good on the promises to address the things that keep people...

Remember not to read.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2008... "Remember not to read my invoice on an empty stomach." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The toxicity of midnights.(SLEEP MEDICINE)(night work is injurious to health)
November 1, 2008... Trick question: how long does it take to get use to midnight shift? The answer: never. Disheartening news to the 20-25% of the United States population that works midnights or outside the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Homo Sapiens are diurnal,...

The Dale[R] family: tracheostomy tube and endotracheal tube holders.(SUNY UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY EQUIPMENT REVIEWS)
November 1, 2008... In this issue of FOCUS Journal I evaluate the well-known line of airway holding/stabilizing devices from Dale Medical Products, Inc. (Plainville, MA). I did anticipate the usual quality products and I was not disappointed. I, along with a few...

Ventilator accessories.(FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY)
November 1, 2008... Like every great prestidigitator, each respiratory therapist has a bag of magic props. Magic, not in the sense that they make flowers appear out of an endotracheal tube, but because they can make a patient's breathing problems easier in a snap....

Can a disputed technology move knowledge and practice into the future?(PEDIATRIC/NEONATAL RESPIRATORY CARE)
November 1, 2008... As a neonatal and pediatric intensive care therapist (or what we used to call a 'baby person' circa the 1980'), I proudly carried my positive experiences in newborn care with me to several facilities, both as a practitioner, supervisor and as a...

Steroid rage: hazards and effects.(RESPIRATORY PHARMACOLOGY)
November 1, 2008... In the last issue we discussed the different types of inhaled corticosteroids available on the market. This issue will focus on how corticosteroids work, how they help, and side effects by their use. The focus will be towards inhaled...

Do you have a sleep lab website?(THE BUSINESS OF SLEEP)
November 1, 2008... Should all sleep labs have a website? Yes! Should all sleep labs have a blog? Yes! Should all sleep labs have an internet market plan? Yes - you should develop a web presence with your marketing plan in mind. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Bronchopleural fistula: a brief review.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL)
November 1, 2008... The most direct and functional definition of a bronchopleural fistula, (BPF), is to describe it as a communication involving both the pleural space and the bronchial tree. BPFs represent a complex management problem and are linked with...

Visual manifestations.(HYPERBARIC MEDICINE)
November 1, 2008... It is well known that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can have an effect Ion eyesight and produce visual manifestations in some patients. High levels of oxygen under pressure for extended periods of time can affect the Central Nervous System (CNS)...

I ran out of excuses.(Cartoon)
November 1, 2008... "I ran out of excuses... and that's no excuse." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sequal technologies names Randy Steward as Chief Operating Officer.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... SeQual Technologies Inc., has announced the appointment of Randy Steward to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Steward's most recent experience includes working for Spectrum Brands Inc. (Rayovac Corp.) a $2.5 billion publicly trailed...

Inovo, Inc/CHAD Therapeutics' oxygen conserving devices unaffected by recent announcement.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... Inovo, Inc., based in Naples, Florida, which purchased the oxygen conserving assets and the right to market under the name "CHAD Therapeutics", is issuing a statement to clarity that the company is in no way affiliated with CHAD Therapeutics,...

Using a fan during sleep may reduce infants' SIDS risk.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... Infants who slept in a bedroom with a fan ventilating the air had a 72 percent lower risk of Sudden infant Death Syndrome compared to infants who slept in a bedroom without a Ian, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of...

Vapotherm[R]'s poised for expansion into home care segment.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... Vapotherm, the global leader in High How Oxygen Therapy products, has announced that industry veteran Nick Macmillan has joined the company as Manager of its Home Care Segment. Macmillan will be responsible for developing and managing the...

New clinical studies show Masimo technologies provide advanced clinical intelligence.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Clinical report)
November 1, 2008... Masimo, the inventor of Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM) and Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry, announced that 13 new independent and objective clinical studies presented at the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Annual Meeting...

Pivotal data showed SYMBICORT[R] improved lung function in adults with COPD.(INDUSTRY NEWS)
November 1, 2008... Data presented today from two pivotal efficacy and safety trials, SHINE and SUN, demonstrated that SYMBICORT[R] (budesonide/formoterol fumarate dihy-drate) Inhalation Aerosol significantly improved lung function and was well-tolerated in...

Ventilator Swallowing/Speaking Valve.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Passy-Muir[TM] Tracheostomy & Ventilator Swallowing and Speaking Valve PMV[TM] 007 (Aqua colored[TM]) is the only closed position "no leak" valve designed to fit readily into disposable ventilator killing and directly on the 15mm hub of...

New Divided Sampling Cannulas.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Salter-Style[R] ETCO2 Divided Sampling Cannulas provide a safe, simple and cost effective way to improve ETCO2 monitoring with nonintubated or consciously sedated patients. These cannulas feature unique permanent barriers in the face piece, as...

EtCO2 and SpO2 monitoring solution.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Capnostream[TM] 20 is a non-invasive, dual parameter, EtCO2 and SpO2 monitoring solution that provides an accurate and reliable assessment of your patient's ventilatory and oxygenation status. Only Capnostream has Smart Capnography[TM]...

Airway Clearance system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Electromed, Inc.'s SmartVest[R] Airway Clearance System uses High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) therapy to deliver effective and well-tolerated airway clearance treatment for patients who are otherwise at risk of developing...

New lightweight ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Smiths Medical introduces the Pneupac VR1[R] emergency and transport ventilator with air mix feature. This lightweight, ergonomically designed, palm-sized oxygen powered ventilator will provide 100% oxygen when necessary but can now, with a...

New total 02 delivery system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The iVent201 ventilator is the most versatile ICU class ventilator on the market. In VersaMed's continuing commitment to providing cutting edge products to be used throughout the spectrum of care, we created the firs! full featured,...

Fingertip oximeter W/Bluetooth[R].(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Nonin Medical has introduced the Onyx[R] II, Model 9560, the world's first interoperable fingertip oximeter with Bluetooth[R] wireless technology. Designed for easy integration into medical ecosystems, numerous leading technology manufacturers...

Manual Jet Ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... 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...

Quality tracings and easy clean-up.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... FMI proudly distributes top quality sleep and neurology products iron: leading manufacturers. Nuprep[TM] skin prepping gel and conductive paste have been used successfully over the past 15 years in hundreds of sleep centers and hospitals in the...

Critical care respiratory carestation.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Engstrom Carestation[R] is the first critical care respiratory carestation to offer integration throughout the care process. From the ICU to the Step-down unit, you have the ability to integrate ventilation with monitoring modules capable...

New Face Mask CPAP system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Airon Corporation is pleased to announce FDA marketing approval of MACS, the next generation Face Mask CPAP system for critical care. MACS is the most sophisticated, versatile and economical CPAP system available today. Designed for use on...

New continuous nebulizer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The HOPE continuous nebulizer is improved CNBT technology, which relieves the practitioner of the laborious task of remixing SVNs every 15 minutes. HOPE allows you the ability to mix medications from one to eight hours. Heliox administration...

Audio monitoring for the sleep lab.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Louroe Electronics manufactures audio monitoring systems; several of which arc especially designed for sleep applications. The system delivers crisp, clear audio, allowing the technician to closely monitor the patient. The technician can listen...

Hi flow delivery system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... VAPOTHERM is a high flow heat and humidification device for the non-invasive delivery of inspired gas flows from 0.5 to 40 liters per minute. The unique technology delivers a perfect synchronization of flow, humidify, temperature and oxygen...

Need CEU's tonight?(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... One-stop shopping for continuing education & career advancement exclusively for healthcare professionals. Highest quality, state-of-the-art, non-traditional educational programs & seminars available. Updated yearly, always timely. Stay ahead of...

New cuffless supralaryngeal airway.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The SLIPA airway represents the first cuffless supralaryngeal airway that is superior to other equivalent airways because it maximizes on the space available for trapping and storing liquids that could be aspiraled if regurgitation occurs...

Transtracheal oxygen.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Transtracheal Systems is a medical device manufacturing company that specializes in the design and production of innovative oxygen therapy products. Each product in our line is designed to improve oxygenation, ambulation, and quality of life...

New Closed Suction System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Portex[R] SuctionPro[TM] 72 Closed Suction System, is designed for airway suctioning of critically ill patients and is indicated for 72 hours of continuous use. The closed system reduces risk of cross contamination and the lockable end cap...

SERVO ventilators from Maquet.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... For 30+ years, SERVO ventilators have been recognized as the leading name in ventilation technology. From its non-invasive option on the SERVO-i to the new SERVO-s for chronic care, SERVO is recognized for providing ventilation for neonatal,...

Inductive (RIP) interface cables.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... SLP Inc. introduces the new SleepSense Interface cables that accompany the SleepSense Inductive/RIP bands. SLP provides two separate interface cables for abdomen and thorax with a variety of connection methods that will effortlessly suit most...

Polysomnography courses.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology is a premier training facility for facility for physicians technicians & industry professionals in the field 01" sleep medicine. Our school is accredited by the Accreditation Council for:...

Outfit your lab or clinic with NSI.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... NeuroSupplies Integra[TM] is a leading distributor of a wide range of neurological and sleep studies supplies required for electroencephalograph, evoked potentials, electromyography and sleep disorders testing. We supply air pressure...

Original inductive plethysmograph.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc. provides the. Intuctotrace original inductive plethysmograph design - standard for monitoring respiratory volume changes from the chest/abdominal wall. Respiratory patterns reflecting inter-costal/abdominal changes,...

Automatic respiratory products.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... VORTRAN manufactures a line of low cost, single patient, automatic respiratory products: VORTRAN Automatic Resuscitator- MRI safe, automatic resuscitator for transport or emergency ventilation for pediatric/adult patients 22 lbs. and above....

Roche high volume ABG analyzer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Roche cobas b 221 analyzer is a complete blood gas solution designed for high-volume use. Delivers time & cost efficiencies. Configurable menu has options for blood gas, electrolytes & metabolites. Built-in AutoQC[R] module holds up to 40...

Inductance plethysmography system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... The Sleepmate RIPmate[TM] meets the new AASM Technical Respiratory Rule recommendations for accreditation & scoring. Designed with a washable one-size-fits-all bell and buckle. Plugs directly into the AC input of any headbox with NO additional...

Maximize patient care.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Maximize patient care while facing reduced resources. Drager EvitaXL offers a full range of ventilator performance and provides clinicians with a high degree of user-configurability. Drager has been a leader in developing such features as APRV,...

Versatile ECG/spirometry unit.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Futuremed introduces the P8000 Power, an economically priced instrument that lets the user start with a resting ECG and add spirometry or exercise stress testing. The P8000 has a full keyboard and the unit's high resolution screen allows real...

New sleep apnea full Face Mask.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... Try the NEW Full Face V2[TM] Mask from Hans Rudolph. Designed from years of feedback from sleep techs, patients, key sleep professionals, Therapists, Family Care Doctors & Homecare Dealers & Suppliers. The silicone rubber V2[TM] Mask offers...

New blood gas analyzer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
November 1, 2008... OPTI Medical Systems, Inc. manufactures the OPTI CCA-TS portable analyzers for measuring time sensitive diagnostic assays including blood gas, electrolytes, ionized calcium, measured SO2, tHb, and glucose. With the OPTI CCA-TS analyzer,...