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

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

Total airway management begins with Laerdal.
September 22, 2003... Laerdal[R] Silicone Resuscitators New Features! Over the past 35 years, Laerdal Silicone Resuscitators have proven to be the leader in reusable resuscitators. This new design enhances convenience and maintains the outstanding quality and...

Notes from the dungeon.(Editorial)
September 22, 2003... Welcome to the Fall issue of FOCUS Journal. With this issue we complete our 13th year of national publication, the most productive year in our history as regards the number of people reading FOCUS regularly and the number of columnists and...

Don't get sued for what an employee does.(MANAGEMENT)
September 22, 2003... Suppose one of your employees gets mad and slugs a patient's family member, or worse, a patient? Or maybe your employee drives a fellow worker home after imbibing in the parking lot, and injures his passenger in a car wreck? Or perhaps he...

Congestive heart failure.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL KEEPER #6)
September 22, 2003... Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to function as a pump, and thereby becomes ineffective in providing an adequate blood flow to meet the metabolic demands of the body. When CHF develops, the impaired pumping action of the...

The politics of non-participation.(MANAGEMENT KEEPER #48)
September 22, 2003... If you were to ask managers what they dislike about their jobs you would hear the expected litany: "The hours, the responsibility, the firing, dealing with the hierarchy or bureaucracy," etc. For the last couple of years, however, we've...

HMO's, incentives and greed.(ETHICS IN MANAGEMENT)
September 22, 2003... In the early 1990s, with the defeat of the Clinton Health Plan, the American public "chose" by default market based 'reform' as that strategy most likely to yield the highest quality service for the lowest cost. It has failed, pretty much...

Melatonin and nocturnal asthma.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
September 22, 2003... Asthmatics have long noted that symptom severity varies daily and seasonally. Recent studies showing a connection between melatonin production and symptoms validate this observation. Asthma worsens at night when the daily production of...

Dangers of joint ventures in homecare.(RESPIRATORY HOMECARE)
September 22, 2003... In April 2003, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a nation wide warning stating that joint ventures between health care providers may be illegal under the federal anti-kickback laws. The special advisory bulletin questioned the...

Acute COPD exacerbations: an evidenced-based approach.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL)
September 22, 2003... The treatment of patients with acute exacerbations of their COPD is a critical topic for those who work in the acute setting. It is (or should be) also of deep concern to those who work in the rehabilitation and home-care of these patients...

Mr. Sandman ... send me a dream ...(Respiratory Care On-line)
September 22, 2003... I don't know if he's "the cutest that I've ever seen", but he sure comes close. I met him on-line. He calls himself the Sandman. No, it wasn't through a virtual dating service. I met him when I decided to delve into the subject of Sleep...

Sleepy kids: understanding the effects of pediatric sleep disorders.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
September 22, 2003... Understanding the effects of pediatric sleep disorders has become a personal crusade for me. My interest in this not only stems from being an educator but also from being a mother. I have four children, three which suffer from sleep...

JCAHO seeks volunteers to test ICU core measures.(Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, intensive care units)
September 22, 2003... In September 2002, the Joint Commission's Intensive Care Advisory Panel recommended an initial set of eight candidate core measures. These measures addressed key aspects of care in the intensive care unit. They underwent a 30-day period of...

Choosing intubation: the patient's perspective.(RESPIRATORY CLINICAL)
September 22, 2003... Have you ever contemplated the fact that you could find yourself intubated and being mechanically ventilated? I have, in the past, stood at the bedside of someone close to my own age and asked myself if I would make the same choices that they...

Coping with shift work.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
September 22, 2003... People working shifts other than a traditional business day (nine to five) are increasing at an estimated rate of 3% annually. Currently about 20% of male and 15% of female workers work afternoon and night shifts either on a permanent schedule...

Drug company stocks--a surprising disappointment.(PERSONAL GROWTH)
September 22, 2003... In 2003, Congress passed a bill that said every third message sent on the Internet was required to be an advertisement for Viagra. The President dutifully signed it into law. The spam messages from patriotic Viagra prescription sellers that...

Closing the program.(Passaic County Community College discontinues educational program in respiratory therapy)
September 22, 2003... Three years ago the administrators of Passaic County Community College (PCC) made the decision to discontinue its long-standing educational program in Respiratory Therapy. The program, centered in an urban setting in downtown Paterson NJ,...

CAS Medical System's 740 monitor.(UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS EQUIPMENT REVIEWS)
September 22, 2003... Question: What is about the size of a hardback novel, provides lots of information and does so at a reasonable cost? Answer: The neatly packaged CAS 740 monitor, which provides quick and easily obtained information on the status of a patient's...

Pharmacological treatment of insomnia.(SLEEP MEDICINE)
September 22, 2003... If insomnia is secondary to another sleep disorder it is usually recommended that the primary sleep disorder be treated first. Some examples of sleep disorders that may be primary include: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which may be treated by...

Professional Guide to Sleep Disorders Management.
September 22, 2003... This book is written for health care professionals. The author consolidates his 25 years of experience in the sleep disorders arena into a guide for both screening patients for sleep disorders and increasing practice revenue through screening,...

Homecare technology, how far we've come.(HOMECARE)
September 22, 2003... Recently, I attended MedTrade, the annual fall ritual of the homecare industry, held in the Atlanta (GA) World Trade Center. I look back on the fact that I have attended this largest of all medical trade shows every year since 1983. That was...

Foundations of Respiratory Care.(Book Review)
September 22, 2003... A new respiratory care textbook has been born (and it weighs more than I did when I was born). Here are the vital statistics. Weight = 2,386 grams, Dimensions = 22 X 28 X 4.5 cm, Number of Chapters = 33, Number of Pages = 1,032, Number of...

Being the best means educating about sleep, too.(National Sleep Foundation )
September 22, 2003... 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...

Need sleep tech education? Go to the source!(Association of Polysomnographic Technologists)
September 22, 2003... NEW! Artifact & Troubleshooting Guide [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Full-color booklet with Polysomnographic recording samples designed to assist in troubleshooting during data acquisition, or as a reference during scoring records. Each...

AARC requires state societies to sign contracts or risk losing revenue sharing.(American Association for Respiratory Care)
September 22, 2003... In a letter sent October 7, 2003 to the presidents of all AARC chartered state societies, AARC Executive Director Sam Giordano RRT, announced that because of increased competition, state societies would be required to sign contracts with the...

English ain't easy.(ON A LIGHTER SIDE with Andy Rooney)
September 22, 2003... Like the basement, the attic or garage, our language needs to be cleaned out once in a while. There are some words and phrases in our language that we ought to retire. I've made a small collection of some we could do without: "Have a good one."...

Healthline Medical teams with Nephron Pharmaceuticals for national sales coverage of it's aerosol drug delivery products.
September 22, 2003... Healthline Medical, Inc., manufacturer of the high-efficiency, environmentally protective Medicator[R] Aerosol Maximizer systems for aerosol drug delivery, has selected Nephron Pharmaceuticals of Orlando, Florida as its national sales...

Filters for spirometers and PF Labs.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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...

Ambulatory monitoring.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... Data Examiner enhances the Inductotrace System, providing an interface to Windows 9X/NT via a RS232 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)
September 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...

New transport ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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...

CPAP/BiLevel & NIV Masks.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... CPAP/BiLevel Therapy and Non-Invasive Ventilation with New Models of Hans Rudolph VIP 75[TM] & VIP 76[TM] Oro-Nasal(full face) Vmasks[TM] and ALIZES[TM] Nasal Masks has reached a new level worldwide and due to the large demand for these Masks,...

EasyOne Spirometry System.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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)
September 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 system designed to meet the needs of the critically ill and high-acuity patient. The V-Cue[R] unit provides...

New aerosol delivery system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 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 die-cast aluminum components for years of reliable service. The...

O2 analyzers & replacement sensors.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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...

New grant available.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 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 re-expansion qualities. The one-piece see-through mask design offers a better seal, is easier to...

New airway pressure monitor.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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)
September 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 this new heater providing an add-on solution for patients requiring heated humidity. Temperature can be...

Oxygen-safe thread sealants.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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...

New Oro-nasal CPAP--BiLevel mask.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... CPAP/BiLevel Therapy and Non-Invasive Ventilation with New Models of Hans Rudolph VIP 75[TM] & VIP 76[TM] Oro-Nasal(full face) Vmasks[TM] has taken both applications to the next level. New models include; buttons for attaching the new Sensa...

Audio monitoring for the sleep lab.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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...

Littmann Stethoscope Model 2000.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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 ergonomic design, the Model 2000 is an...

Oral AND nasal suction device.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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.......

Breath Simulation Module.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... Michigan Instruments, Inc. has introduced a Breath Simulation Module that will turn existing Michigan Instruments lung models into a spontaneously breathing lung simulation system. The system simulates a spontaneously breathing patient for...

Portex[R] tracheostomy products.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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 in pre-owned equipment.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 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)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 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)
September 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)
September 22, 2003... 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)
September 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 with-in a...

Modular blood gas system.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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...

100% plastic blood gas capillary tubes.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... 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 hand-held spirometer.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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 measures eight key diagnostic...

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

New holding chamber.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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...

New features on full face masks.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 22, 2003... Very Popular Hans Rudolph Full Face Masks now have new features and available from stock! The New Models of the Hans Rudolph VIP[TM] Series 7600 CPAP & 7500 NIV Oro-Nasal Vmasks[TM] are now available. The New Models feature buttons for...

Neonatal/adult breathing simulator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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)
September 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[R] Saline Nasal Mist, AYR[R] Saline Nasal Drops, AYR[R] Saline Nasal Gel and Baby AYR[R]...

The secretion solution.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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)
September 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 from their inhaled medications. By selecting the...

Manual Jet Ventilator.(PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS)
September 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)
September 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)
September 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)
September 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...