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BACKGROUND: Rapid changes in healthcare and science have enhanced the need for international educational experiences (IEE). Despite the importance of IEE in healthcare, there is a lack of literature in this area of research specifically relating to respiratory therapy. Therefore, it is important to assess the perceived impact of IEE in the United States on RT students in order to evaluate the need for developing international educational opportunities in the field of respiratory therapy. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess Saudi RT international students’ perception of the impact of IEE on their lives experiences. METHODS: Data were collected through a descriptive survey using a modified version of the international education survey (IES). The survey was emailed to all RT members of the Saudi Society for Respiratory Care (SSRC). Four main dimensions were assessed: Professional RT role, global understanding, personal development, and intellectual development. Excluded from the study were non-Saudi RTs and RTs with no IEE from the United States. RESULTS: Nineteen responses met the exclusion criteria of the study and were excluded. The total adjusted number of participants was sixty-two (n=62) out of (N=534) emailed surveys. The study response rate was 15.17%. Just over half of participants hold a graduate degree in RT while 48.4% hold an undergraduate degree in RT. Female participants accounted for 12.9% of all participants while male participants accounted for 87.1%. The study revealed that “professional RT role” was the most impacted area of IEE for RT undergraduate students (M 5.48, ± 1.4). The study showed that “global understanding” was the most impacted area of IEE for graduate RT students (M 5.4, SD of ± 0.84). The study findings showed that there is a moderately significant positive correlation between the duration of IEEs and the impact of RT professional role (r=0.426; p=0.001). Moreover, the study findings indicated that IEEs had a higher but insignificant influence on former international RT students’ perceptions of impact than current students. Conclusion: IEE had a large overall impact on participant’s lives experiences. The study findings support the value of promoting IEEs in the United States for RT students due to its perceived positive impact on internationalization of healthcare. Further studies with higher number of participants, different cultural backgrounds, and different IEE destinations is recommended.

Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Acute exacerbation is an important event of COPD as it causes significant disability and mortality. Especially repeated hospitalisation of patients with acute exacerbation has been associated with reduce quality of life and excessive hospitalisation cost. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease causes significant functional limitations that translate into enormous economic and societal burden. Study Aim: To describe the profile and selected outcomes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients admitted with acute exacerbation to hospitals in the northern suburbs of the Western Cape. Study design: A multicenter retrospective descriptive single subject design was used. Method: Patients admitted with the diagnosis of COPD with acute exacerbation in the time period 01June 2004-01June 2005 were followed up retrospectively for a period of 12 months. The demographics, medical condition on admission and past presentation of acute exacerbation, length of stay in hospital and the number of readmissions for acute exacerbation in the 12 month period were collected and recorded on a self designed data capture sheet. Results: One hundred and seventy eight patients were admitted with acute exacerbation at the three hospitals. The mean age of the patients were 63 (±11.73), more males than females (103: 75) were admitted. Subjects spent a mean of 5.67 (±6.55), days in hospital with every admission and admission frequency of up to eight periods were recorded. Of the n=178 admitted, 56% had one admission and 44% had 2 or more admissions in the study year. This resulted in a total of 338 hospital admissions with the 78 subjects responsible for the majority of admissions (238) Subjects presenting with two or more co-morbidities had a significantly greater risk of multiple re admissions. Subjects with three or more admissions had two or more co morbidities (p=0.001), comparatively those with one admission had only one co morbidity. Congestive cardiac failure (p=0.01) as well as the lack of Long Term Oxygen Therapy p=0.017) were associated with increase risk of three or more admissions. Conclusion: Patients admitted with acute exacerbation to the hospitals where the study was conducted presented with an age ranging from 30-95 years. Patients with 2 or more admissions experience up to eight readmissions episodes in the study year. This is a cause of concern in respect of the burden of disease on especially the younger economically viable South African population. In the current study factors that influenced readmission were the presence of two or more co morbid diseases, specifically the presence of congestive cardiac failure as well as the lack of LTOT. Interventions including a pulmonary rehabilitation programme post discharge should be aimed at decreasing frequency of hospitalisation especially in those patients who are a risk of readmission. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verergering van simptome in Kroniese Obstruktiewe Lugweg Siekte (KOLS) is baie belangrik as gevolg van die ongeskiktheid en mortalitieit wat dit veroorsaak. Dit veroorsaak vermindering in die kwaliteit van lewe en verhoog hospitaal koste verbind met die siekte. Die beperkings toe te skrywe aan die Kroniese Obstruktiewe Lugweg Siekte veroorsaak ontsettende ekonomiese en sosiale druk. Doelstelling: Om die profiel en geselekteerde uitkomste van pasiente met Kroniese Obstruktiewe Lugweg Siekte toegelaat met verergering in die hospitale van die noordelike voorstede van die Wes Kaap te beskryf. Studie ontwerp: ʼn Multisentrum retrospektiewe beskrywende enkel persoon studie. Studie metode: Pasiente toegelaat met verergering van Kroniese Obstruktiewe Lugweg Siekte in die periode 01Junie 2004-01Junie 2005 was retrospektief opgevolg vir ‘n periode van 12-maande. Demografiese data, mediese toestand op toelating en ontslag, lengte van hospitaal verblyf en getal toelatings in die 12- maande was gekollekteer en gedokumenteer op self ontwerpde vorms. Resultate: Een-honderd agt en seventig pasiente was toegelaat met verergering by die drie hospitale. Die gemiddelde ouderdom van die studie populasie was 63 (±11.73) met meer mans as vrouens (103: 75) toegelaat. Die studie populasie het gemiddelde dae van 5.67 (±6.55), in die hospitaal deurgebring en toelating frekwensie van agt episodes was gedokumenteer. Van die n=178 toegelaat was 56% eenkeer toegelaat en 44% het 2 of meer toelatings in die studie jaar gehad. Dit het in 338 hospital toelaatings veroorsaak en 78 van die studie populasie verantwoordelik vir die meeste van die toelatings (238). Die groep met drie of meer toelatings in die studie jaar het twee of meer siektetoestande (p=0.001) gehad, teenorgesteld met die wat net een toelaat was met een siektetoestand. Hart versaaking (p=0.01) en die gebrek aan suurstof by die huis (p=0.017) was verbind met meer risiko van drie of meer toelating. Samevatting: Die ouderdoms verskil was wydbeskrywend van 30-95 jaar van die pasiente wat in die studie jaar toegelaat is by die drie hospitale. Pasiente wat 2 of meer keer toegelaat is het tot agt hertoelatings in die studie jaar gehad. Kommerwekkend is die uitwerking van die siekte op die jonger werkend populasie in Suid Afrika. In die studie was hertoelating beinvloed deur die teenwoordigheid van twee of meer siektetoestande, spesifiek hart versaaking sowel as die gebrek aan suurstof by die huis. Intervensies insluitende pulmonale rehabilitasie na ontslag se doel moet wees om vermindering van heraaldelike hospitalisasie in hoë risiko pasiente vir hospitalisasie.

Introdução: A hiperinsuflação manual (HM) é uma técnica comum para facilitar a remoção de secreção traqueal de pacientes em UTI, e teoricamente, deveria ser realizada com uma insuflação lenta. Muitos fisioterapeutas não realizam a manobra com a insuflação lenta e os reanimadores manuais (RM) fabricados no Brasil possuem válvula de alívio de pressão, que não pode ser fechada na grande maioria desses dispositivos. Objetivos: Avaliar, em modelo mecânico, a influência da manobra de HM no volume corrente, picos de fluxo inspiratório e expiratório, e pressões alveolar e proximal por oito fisioterapeutas brasileiros, utilizando dois tipos de RM (com e sem válvula reguladora de pressão), de acordo com duas situações [conforme a prática clínica (PC) e após orientação de realizar a HM com a insuflação lenta, chamada de recomendada pela literatura (RL)], e em três cenários clínicos simulados (paciente normal, restritivo e obstrutivo). Resultados: Seis dos 8 fisioterapeutas realizaram a técnica com mais de duas insuflações; as pressões proximais geradas na situação RL foram menores devido aos menores picos de fluxo inspiratório. Os valores de pressões alveolares foram menores que 42,5 cmH2O (mediana = 13,9; intervalo interquartil:10,2-20,3) mesmo com altas pressões proximais (máximo 96,6 cmH2O, mediana 31,4; 19,2-44,8). Os volumes correntes foram menores do que os encontrados na literatura pesquisada (mediana = 514mL; 410-641). Os picos de fluxo inspiratórios (1,32; 0,92- 1,80) foram maiores que os expiratórios (0,88; 0,54-1,13) em quase todas as medidas. O pico de fluxo expiratório se correlacionou com o volume corrente: em cada cenário, os menores picos de fluxo expiratórios estavam correlacionados com baixos volumes correntes. Pressões, volumes e fluxos foram mais baixos com o RM com válvula reguladora de pressão. Conclusão: A manobra de HM foi realizada de forma diferente da preconizada na literatura; o RM com válvula reguladora de pressão gerou menores volumes, pressões e fluxos na maior parte dos cenários; as pressões proximais geradas não determinam, necessariamente, risco para o paciente, pois as pressões alveolares se mantiveram baixas / Background: Manual hyperinflation (MH) is a common technique used for removing pulmonary secretions in ICU and theoretically should be performed with a slow inflation. Many Brazilian respiratory therapists do not perform the maneuver with a slow inflation and manual resuscitators (MR) made in Brazil have pressure relief valve (PRV) which in many of them cannot be closed to perform MH. Objectives: evaluate, in a lung model, the influence on tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory peak flow, proximal and alveolar pressures of MH performed by eight Brazilian respiratory therapists using two types of MR (with and without pressure relief valve), in two manners [like clinical practice (CP) and after orientation to perform MH with a slow inflation, named literature recommended (LR)] and in three clinical simulated scenarios (normal, restrictive and obstructive patient). Results: Six of 8 respiratory therapists performed MH with two or more inflation. After instruction proximal pressure generated was lower because of the slower inspiratory peak flow. The alveolar pressure values were lesser than 42.5 cmH2O (median = 13.9; interquartile range: 10.2-20.3), despite of high proximal pressure (max 96.6 cmH2O, median 31.4; 19.2-44.8). Inspiratory tidal volume were smaller than other reports (median=514mL; 410-641). Inspiratory peak flow (1.32; 0.92- 1.80) were higher than expiratory (0.88; 0.54-1.13) in almost all measurement. Expiratory peak flow was correlated with tidal volume: for each scenario, the low expiratory peak flow was mainly generated by small tidal volume. Pressures, volumes and flows were lower with MR that uses PRV. Conclusion: In this small sample of respiratory therapists, MH was done different that literature recommends; MR whit pressure limiting system generate lower tidal volume, pressures and peak pressures in most scenarios; proximal pressure generated not determine, necessarily, risk for patient, because alveolar pressure was maintained low

This investigation aimed to objectively measure physiological deficiencies across the continuum of airway protection and clinical feeding and swallowing severity in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP), and to make comparisons with a healthy control group. Eleven children with SCP (GMFCS I-V) and 10 controls (mean age: 7+ 2 years) were tested. Results revealed significantly impaired oropharyngeal function and greater clinical feeding and swallowing severity for children with SCP. These children also demonstrated impaired respiratory-swallow coordination evidenced by frequent post-swallow inhalation across all bolus types. Reduced cough volume acceleration was also observed in children with SCP compared to controls. In the SCP group, significant correlations with clinical feeding and swallowing severity were observed with oral praxis and post-swallow inhalation. Additionally, clinical feeding and swallowing severity and peak expiratory flow rate were significantly correlated with gross motor function. This is the first study to objectively identify the co-occurrence of dysphagia and dystussia in children with SCP, and to quantify factors underlying these deficits. Future research should address functional deficits along the continuum of airway protection in both assessment and treatment paradigms in order to maximize the quality of life for this population.

by Lam Kuo. / Year shown on spine: 1997. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-121). / Acknowledgments / List of Abbreviations / Summary / List of Contents / List of Tables / List of Figures / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction and the objectives of the study --- p.1-6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Overviews of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and bronchodilator therapy -- a literature review --- p.7-29 / Chapter 2.1 --- Overview of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) --- p.7-9 / Chapter 2.2. --- Bronchodilator therapy --- p.10-18 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Therapeutic value on infants with Bronchiolitis / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Therapeutic value on infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) / Chapter 2.3. --- "Three modes of aerosol delivery devices --jet nebuliser , ultrasonic nebuliser and metered dose inhaler" --- p.18-29 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Jet nebuliser / Chapter 2.3.2. --- Ultrasonic nebuliser / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Metered dose inhaler / Chapter 2.3.4. --- Comparison of the therapeutic efficiency between jet nebuliser， ultrasonic nebuliser and Metered dose inhaler / Chapter 2.3.4.a. --- Comparison of particle size / Chapter 2.3.4.b. --- Comparison of aerosol deposition / Chapter 2.3.4.c. --- Comparison of pulmonary function / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Pulmonary function test in neonates --a literature review --- p.30-40 / Chapter 3.1. --- Overview of pulmonary function test in neonates --- p.30 / Chapter 3.2. --- Assessment of pulmonary function test in neonates --- p.31-40 / Chapter 3.2.1. --- Pulmonary mechanics / Chapter 3.2.1.a. --- Lung compliance / Chapter 3.2.1.b. --- Airway resistance / Chapter 3.2.1.c. --- Functional residual capacity (FRC) / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Subjects and methods --- p.41-48 / Chapter 4.1. --- Subjects --- p.41-42 / Chapter 4.2. --- Methods --- p.42-48 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Delivery of Salbutamol aerosol / Chapter 4.2.1.1. --- Spontaneously breathing non-ventilated infants (group 1) / Chapter 4.2.1.2. --- Ventilator-dependent infants (group 2) / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Monitoring the clinical parameters / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Measurement of pulmonary function / Chapter 4.2.4. --- Statistics / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Results --- p.49-53 / Chapter 5.1. --- Clinical parameters --- p.50-51 / Chapter 5.2. --- Pulmonary function tests --- p.51-53 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Discussion --- p.54-61 / Chapter 6.1. --- Non-ventilated group --- p.55-58 / Chapter 6.2. --- Ventilated group --- p.58-61 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion --- p.62-63 / Tables and Figures / References

Introdução: A hiperinsuflação manual (HM) é uma técnica comum para facilitar a remoção de secreção traqueal de pacientes em UTI, e teoricamente, deveria ser realizada com uma insuflação lenta. Muitos fisioterapeutas não realizam a manobra com a insuflação lenta e os reanimadores manuais (RM) fabricados no Brasil possuem válvula de alívio de pressão, que não pode ser fechada na grande maioria desses dispositivos. Objetivos: Avaliar, em modelo mecânico, a influência da manobra de HM no volume corrente, picos de fluxo inspiratório e expiratório, e pressões alveolar e proximal por oito fisioterapeutas brasileiros, utilizando dois tipos de RM (com e sem válvula reguladora de pressão), de acordo com duas situações [conforme a prática clínica (PC) e após orientação de realizar a HM com a insuflação lenta, chamada de recomendada pela literatura (RL)], e em três cenários clínicos simulados (paciente normal, restritivo e obstrutivo). Resultados: Seis dos 8 fisioterapeutas realizaram a técnica com mais de duas insuflações; as pressões proximais geradas na situação RL foram menores devido aos menores picos de fluxo inspiratório. Os valores de pressões alveolares foram menores que 42,5 cmH2O (mediana = 13,9; intervalo interquartil:10,2-20,3) mesmo com altas pressões proximais (máximo 96,6 cmH2O, mediana 31,4; 19,2-44,8). Os volumes correntes foram menores do que os encontrados na literatura pesquisada (mediana = 514mL; 410-641). Os picos de fluxo inspiratórios (1,32; 0,92- 1,80) foram maiores que os expiratórios (0,88; 0,54-1,13) em quase todas as medidas. O pico de fluxo expiratório se correlacionou com o volume corrente: em cada cenário, os menores picos de fluxo expiratórios estavam correlacionados com baixos volumes correntes. Pressões, volumes e fluxos foram mais baixos com o RM com válvula reguladora de pressão. Conclusão: A manobra de HM foi realizada de forma diferente da preconizada na literatura; o RM com válvula reguladora de pressão gerou menores volumes, pressões e fluxos na maior parte dos cenários; as pressões proximais geradas não determinam, necessariamente, risco para o paciente, pois as pressões alveolares se mantiveram baixas / Background: Manual hyperinflation (MH) is a common technique used for removing pulmonary secretions in ICU and theoretically should be performed with a slow inflation. Many Brazilian respiratory therapists do not perform the maneuver with a slow inflation and manual resuscitators (MR) made in Brazil have pressure relief valve (PRV) which in many of them cannot be closed to perform MH. Objectives: evaluate, in a lung model, the influence on tidal volume, inspiratory and expiratory peak flow, proximal and alveolar pressures of MH performed by eight Brazilian respiratory therapists using two types of MR (with and without pressure relief valve), in two manners [like clinical practice (CP) and after orientation to perform MH with a slow inflation, named literature recommended (LR)] and in three clinical simulated scenarios (normal, restrictive and obstructive patient). Results: Six of 8 respiratory therapists performed MH with two or more inflation. After instruction proximal pressure generated was lower because of the slower inspiratory peak flow. The alveolar pressure values were lesser than 42.5 cmH2O (median = 13.9; interquartile range: 10.2-20.3), despite of high proximal pressure (max 96.6 cmH2O, median 31.4; 19.2-44.8). Inspiratory tidal volume were smaller than other reports (median=514mL; 410-641). Inspiratory peak flow (1.32; 0.92- 1.80) were higher than expiratory (0.88; 0.54-1.13) in almost all measurement. Expiratory peak flow was correlated with tidal volume: for each scenario, the low expiratory peak flow was mainly generated by small tidal volume. Pressures, volumes and flows were lower with MR that uses PRV. Conclusion: In this small sample of respiratory therapists, MH was done different that literature recommends; MR whit pressure limiting system generate lower tidal volume, pressures and peak pressures in most scenarios; proximal pressure generated not determine, necessarily, risk for patient, because alveolar pressure was maintained low

Bag-valve mask (BVM) ventilation maintains a patient's oxygenation and ventilation until a more definitive artificial airway can be established. In the prehospital setting of a traffic collision or medical aid scene this is performed by an Emerency Medical Technician or medical first responder. Few studies have looked at the effectiveness of Bag-valve masks (BVM) or the complication rate of ventilating an unprotected airway. The purpose and goal of this study is to educate both medical first responders and basic emergency medical technicians.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of practicing respiratory therapists (RT) and respiratory care educators regarding the role of RTs serving as physician extenders. Methods: The survey instrument was an electronic questionnaire that consisted of 17 questions. Participation was voluntary and participants were selected through random and convenience sampling techniques. Results: Of 506 respondents, 234 were respiratory care educators. Overwhelmingly, the respondents held the Registered Respiratory Therapist credential (92.7%). Respondents were about equally split among three education levels: 31.7% associate degree, 31.7% bachelor’s degree, and 27.3% master’s degree. Of the respondents 62.45% had considered pursing a degree in physician assistant (PA). Respondents expressed a preference for an Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapy (APRT) program (77.9%) rather than a PA program. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents reported they felt that a master’s degree should be the minimum level of education for an APRT. Conclusions: This study suggests that practitioners and educators alike are strongly supportive of advanced practice in the profession of respiratory therapy.