Continuing Education of the Pulmonary Function Technologist

Angela Lorenzo, MS, RRT, RPFT

Long Island University

Disclaimer

• The views in this lecture are those of the presenter and not those of the Department of Veterans Affairs or any other agency of the United States Government.

• I have no vested interests in any of the manufacturers of the equipment referenced in this presentation.

Objectives

• The participant will identify opportunities for education for staff performing PFTs

• The participant will identify methods to create learning opportunities in the PFT Lab

Case Study Presentation

• 56 y/o with SCD

• ACS (associated with Pul Fibrosis)

• Scoliosis

• 60 pack year smoking history

• Recent PNA

• +PPD

• Osteonecrosis

Journal Clubs

www.freemedicaljournals.com

• Some journals free access

• Some like NEJM free access after 6 months

• Some like CHEST and AJRCCM free after 1 year

• ERS 18 months

• Thorax free access all issues

• OUR Professional Organization

AARC Series on Pulmonary Diagnostics

• Modules include:

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Spirometry

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Advanced Concepts

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Pediatrics

• Modules vary in cost and CEU credits

Module on: Pulmonary Function Testing: Spirometry

• This spirometry course discusses obstructive and restrictive disease processes, basic measurements, reference values, repeatability and acceptability, and how to perform a quality procedure as well as calibration of the spirometer and patterns of abnormal results. Chapters include:

• Obstructive and restrictive lung diseases • Spirometry technique • Spirometry values, patterns of abnormal results, and

bronchodilator response • Practice loops • CRCE: 2.0 | Cost: $15 for AARC members, $30 for non-

members

From AARC Website

Module on: Pulmonary Function Testing: Advanced Concepts

• This pulmonary function technology course is designed to improve the respiratory therapist’s knowledge in various aspects of pulmonary function testing beyond the bedside. Chapters include:

• Lung volumes

• Diffusing capacity tests

• Quality assurance in the pulmonary function lab

• CRCE: 2.5 | Cost: $15 for AARC members, $30 for non-members

Module on: Pulmonary Function Testing: Pediatrics

• This pulmonary function technology course is designed to improve the respiratory therapist’s knowledge in various aspects of pulmonary function testing specific to infant and pediatric patients. Chapters include:

• Infant PFTs • Pediatric PFTs: reference sets, predicted values, confidence

intervals, and differences in pediatric and adult tests • Pediatric PFTs: technique in performing spirometry • Pediatric PFTs: structural changes in airways, lung volumes,

and diffusing capacity tests • CRCE: 4.5 | Cost: $40 for AARC members, $55 for non-

members

AARC Program: Emerging Roles for the Respiratory Therapist in Alpha-1

Antitrypsin Deficiency

• PFT Lab’s role in A-1AD

AARC U: The Learning Site of the AARC

PFT/Diagnostics Section

Example of AARC Webcast

Example of AARC Webcast

AARC Specialty Section:

Ongoing and Staff Driven

• PFT Graphic of the Month

• Review Any Lab Procedure

– Calibrations, tests, infection control

• Correct the Testing Errors

Manufacturer’s Websites

• http://www.morgansci.com

• http://www.mgcdiagnostics.com

• http://www.carefusion.com/our-products/respiratory-care/pulmonary-function-testing

Questions

angela.lorenzo@liu.edu