ADVANCE for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine

Alternative Ventilatory Strategies for Mass Casualty Events

By Frank G. Rando, PA, RCP, CRT, CVT, EMT-P, CHMS, CDHSI, RHSO, RSM — November 16, 2009

Recently, professional and governmental officials have had much discussion regarding the provision of mass critical care support in mass casualty events.

While heated debate continues, we need to re-evaluate the nation's preparedness efforts and strategies for high consequence medical management overall and mechanical ventilation surge capacity in particular.

Despite the fact that mass casualty events (MCEs) can overtax health infrastructure and over-saturate ED and critical c

Be Prepared

By Gail O. Guterl — November 16, 2009

A patient walks into a busy emergency department complaining of body aches, fever, cough, sore throat, headache and lassitude. In the absence of other factors and lab testing, it could be another case of H1N1 flu.

Although information on H1N1 discourages people from going to the ED when it appears flu is the diagnosis, it may be hard to keep them away. Especially those who use the ED as their primary care physician. This patient isn't the first and won't be the last.

In this

Campus Concerns

By Sheryl Whitlock, MA, MT(ASCP), BB — November 17, 2009

What are the implications of H1N1 from a college health perspective?

Condition 'A' for Assistance

By Margaret Glier, BSN, RN-C, & Kathleen McCaffrey, MS, RN — November 16, 2009

A rapid response team partners with patients and their families

Creating Opportunities

By Jane E. O'Brien, MD and Helene Dumas PT, MS — November 16, 2009

1. van Dyck PC, Kogan MD, McPherson MG, et al. Prevalence and characteristics of children with special health care needs. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:884-90.

2. O'Brien JE, Birnkrant D, Dumas HM, et al. Weaning children from mechanical ventilation in a post-acute setting. Pediatr Rehabil. 2006;9:365-72.

3. Mallory GB, Stillwell PC. The ventilator-dependent child: issues in diagnosis and management. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1991;72:43-55.

4. Wheeler WB, Maguire EL

Diagnosis Codes Beyond OSA

By Ray Cathey, PA-C, MHA, FAHC, CHCC — November 16, 2009

Q: Our LCD recently dropped the diagnosis code for complex sleep apnea and central sleep apnea (327.21 and 327.27). What would you recommend to best treat this patient population?

A: I presume you're referring to coverage for sleep studies. The national policy, which became effective last year, covers sleep studies for OSA (327.23) and related disorders. Some MACs have taken this to literally mean coverage is only for OSA. I'd suggest you contact the American Academy of

H1N1 Influenza Update

November 16, 2009