Featured Articles

May 14, 2012 15:05

In 1907, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the United States.1 In 2007, it was the eighth leading cause of death. 2 That year, pneumococcal infection caused 52,847 deaths in the United States, more than any other vaccine-preventable disease. The mortality rate associated with pneumonia and influenza is 17.5 per 100,000 people.3

May 03, 2012 10:05

From Penn State University

Sleep-deprived surgeons can perform a previously learned task or learn a new task as well as surgeons who are rested, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. However, in sleep-deprived surgeons, the brain must work harder, which could lead to problems during unexpected events.

The researchers reached these conclusions using simulations to study the effects of sleepiness on surgeons.

Drowsy Driver Fact Sheet

April 26, 2012 14:04

Click here to view the Drowsy Driver Fact Sheet. Courtesy of the AADSM.

March 30, 2012 15:03

While it’s well known that sarcoidosis commonly affects pulmonary function, it’s perhaps less known that the disorder can be detrimental to cardiac function in approximately 5% of cases.

"A common way that patients present with cardiac sarcoidosis is with sudden cardiac death," Dr. Misha Rosenbach said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. "This is a terrible way to present to your doctor with a problem."

Are Rapid Response Teams the Answer?

March 30, 2012 15:03

The creation of rapid response teams (RRTs) at acute care institutions was based on the perception that there was a lack of intensive care training for the staff members who work on the floor areas of the hospital. The thinking was that if the patient's condition deteriorates, it is better to have an expert backup team available to head off any further deterioration.

There seem to be consistent issues that lead to failure of a patient receiving timely care in a situation of deterioration:

March 29, 2012 13:03

From Time.com

March 20, 2012 17:03

Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man may be gone – but did you know that tobacco companies have found new ways to market to kids?

The new U.S. Surgeon General’s report on tobacco, released earlier this month, found that tobacco companies spend more than one million dollars every hour – $10 billion a year – to market cigarettes and other products. It’s alarming that 443,000 Americans die from tobacco use and 1.4 million kids try their first cigarette each year.

Mobile Apps for Respiratory Care

March 13, 2012 10:03

Advance for Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine takes a look at the latest in Respiratory Apps. Click link to read full article.

March 06, 2012 22:03

Young children who snore a lot or have other breathing problems at night may have a heightened risk of behavioral and emotional problems later on, a new study suggests.

The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, is not the first to link behavioral issues to so-called sleep-disordered breathing -- where children chronically snore, mouth-breathe or seem to stop breathing for several seconds at a time as they sleep (what doctors call "apnea").

February 29, 2012 13:02

If you will, please allow me to vent this month, but in a purposeful manner. I recently had a patient tell me I didn’t care if he got better or not. Okay, stop right there and rewind twelve years. June of 2000, I graduate from respiratory school in the panhandle of Texas and embark on a professional journey that takes me all over the country. Starting with my baby years, where I learned the ropes from the great respiratory therapists in Amarillo. From there I go on to work with some of the greatest people ever in West Virginia and North Carolina. Mo