RTSO Airwaves

Fall 2014
In this issue:
Updates from the RTSO
Nancy Garvey
Retirement Tea
Air Quality Health Index

Proud to be a
Respiratory Therapist

What you need to know

RT Week

The Law and You

October 26 - November 1, 2014

Telehomecare

Regular Features:
Managements Corner
Students Corner
What is the buzz about
Mindfulness?

Support for your COPD patients

RxTelehomecare.ca

More than 37% decrease in ED visits

More than 44% decrease in hospital admissions

High patient satisfaction

Remote monitoring in your patients own home

Monitoring and health coaching by RNs and RTs

1.855.991.8191
Telehomecare is a program of the Ontario Telemedicine Network, a non-profit organization supported by
the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Canada Health Infoway.

160-2 County Court Blvd, Suite 440

Brampton, ON L6W 4V1
Tel: 647-729-2717/Fax: 647-729-2715
Toll Free: 1-855-297-3089
E-Mail: office@rtso.ca

www.rtso.ca

RTSO Airwaves
Fall 2014

Presidents Message
Rob Bryan
A-EMCA, RRT, AA

Greetings! On behalf of the RTSO Board of

Directors, I would like to welcome you to another
edition of the RTSO Airwaves and Id like to also
wish all of you a happy RT Week 2014! I hope
everyone has had a great summer and is settling
in with the back to school chaos and the hustle
and bustle of the post vacation season.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
Shawna MacDonald and Elisabeth Biers for all their
hard work in putting together another fantastic
issue of RTSO Airwaves. This is Shawnas first
edition as Editor and we are very excited that she
has joined our team.

Passing of the Torch

This will be my last Presidents Message. Next
month, I will be passing the torch on to Kyle
Davies, who is transitioning into the Presidents
chair on the RTSO Board of Directors. I would
like to express my deepest respect and sincere

gratitude to all the volunteers on the RTSO Special

Interest Groups (SIG) and Committees this past
year including the Leadership Committee, Student
Affairs, Research Committee, RTSO Airwaves
Editorial Board, CME Programs and Conferences,
Anaesthesia Assistant Special Interest Group
(SIG) and the Community RT SIG, RTSO Executive
Committee and the RTSO Board of Directors.
Please join me in extending our heartfelt
thanks to all of these individuals for taking time
away from their personal lives in the pursuit of
practice excellence and professional advocacy
on our behalf. Member or not, every Respiratory
Therapist in Ontario benefits greatly from the hard
work and commitment of RTSO volunteers work
that keeps us engaged with various stakeholders
in both the provincial and national healthcare
landscape - keeping us on the forefront of a
variety of advocacy projects and representing our

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014 Page 2

Presidents Message - Fall 2014

professional interests with passion, credibility and
distinction.
I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the
incredible work of our front office. I would like
to especially thank Stephen Laramee, Business
Manager of the RTSO; and Elisabeth Biers,
Coordinator of Communications. Stephen and
Elisabeth run all of our day-to-day operations
and communications, as well as maintain the
infrastructure for the RTSO to function. They
support us with a passion and enthusiasm that is
truly inspirational. Thank you to Stephen for all of
your guidance and expertise and a special thank
you to Elisabeth for your tireless dedication to our
communication programming.

Whats New?
I would like to welcome three new volunteers to
the RTSO Board: Clement Hui, who will be looking
after our social media programs and will represent
RTs Without Borders on the RTSO Board; Tina
Shum, who will be taking over the Student Affairs
portfolio from Brook Gerace (Sobczak); and Sara
Han, who will be replacing Dr. Mika Nonoyama as
the Co-Chair of the Community RT SIG along with
Ginny Myles.

Membership Gives Us a Voice

The RTSO has worked hard to put the best
possible value added membership program
together. October kicks off the launch of our new
membership season. Historically weve offered a
pro-rated membership program that begins on
October 1st; this allows for a reduced six month
rate for those who wish to take advantage of
our full membership program for the balance of
the RTSO membership year. The RTSO is proud
to offer a very robust membership portfolio,

which currently includes enhanced membership

programs with two societies - the RTSO and the
Ontario Respiratory Care Society (ORCS) - as
well as liability insurance. The 2014-2015 RTSO
membership revenue goes to professional and
political advocacy campaigning around lung
health strategies, expanding the role of the RT
in the out of hospital settings, research and best
practice initiatives, advanced practice bursaries,
professional development and continuing
education programming, as well as our peer
recognition programs.
The RTSO has been very busy in 2014 working
on several initiatives to promote the profession
and assert our position with key healthcare
stakeholders in Ontario with regards to professional
advocacy and continuing education. The RSTO
continues to work collaboratively with the Ontario
Lung Association and the CRTO in an effort to
provide a broad range of CME programs and
workshop based programs for our provincial
evening education series and fall education
programs.
I would like to highlight a couple of excellent
education events we are co-hosting this fall open
to all Respiratory Therapists in which all conference
registrants will receive a certificate of attendance
for your professional portfolio and can be used
towards your regulatory mandates for continued
education.

Eastern Ontario RT Week

Educational Forum October 22, Ottawa
The RTSO co-hosted a full day educational
conference in Ottawa in collaboration with a
committee of practice leaders, educators and

Page 3

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Presidents Message - Fall 2014

managers from the Ottawa area/Champlain LHIN.
This collaboration was an effort to establish an
annual full day education program for the RTs
in the eastern part of the province. The Planning
Committee volunteered an incredible amount of
time and energy into creating a fantastic program
that includes world-class speakers and relevant
clinical topics for RTs. If you value having a
marquee annual education event focusing on your
unique practice needs close to home in the Ottawa
area, please support the RTSO-Champlain LHIN
CME initiative and help make this an annual event.

will include clinical and regulatory topics of interest

and a celebration of the evolution of Respiratory
Therapy practice in Ontario. You can register online
on either the CRTO or RTSO websites. From the
RTSO website home page www.rtso.ca and click
on the InspirEvolution thumbnail. If you register
and need a hotel, weve secured a block of rooms
at the Phantages Hotel Toronto, which is across the
street from the conference venue. If you havent
yet registered, space is limited so dont miss out register early to secure your spot!

We were also very fortunate to receive incredible

engagement from 10 of our industry leaders and
vendors in support of RT practice, experiential
learning, and unique networking opportunities.
I would like to thank Dave Dafoe, Sylvie
Bourbonnais, Aaron Nesom and Kyle Davies for
organizing this event; and, to our valued vendors
that support our practice through sponsorship:
Boehringer Ingelheim, Alere Canada, Drager,
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Cardinal Health,
McArthur Medical, ProResp, Trudell Medical
Marketing, Praxair and VitalAire.

Projects on the radar for 2015 include a new

Ministry (MOHLTC) Navigator Committee, which
will focus on Ministry of Health initiatives,
programs and policies that may impact the
practice of RTs and lead to new RTSO projects
or professional advocacy engagement; grant
and proposal development focusing on IT/IS and
communications technology upgrades and a
new association software program for a robust
front office information management system
and practice resources tools and membership
downloads readily accessible for tablets and
smart phones.

We would like to thank all of the participants

and supporters that contributed to make this
event a success.

InspirEvolution November 21 & 22, Toronto

In celebration of 20 years of self-regulation In
Ontario under the RHPA the RTSO and the CRTO
are collaborating with a fall education conference
InspirEvolution 2014. This event will be held at the
Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in downtown
Toronto on November 21st and 22nd. This two-day
program, jointly hosted by the CRTO and the RTSO,

Looking Forward

Keep your ear to the ground for the new

membership program for 2015-2016. If you have
any thoughts regarding membership initiatives or
suggestions please forward them to office@rtso.ca.
Please take time to read about our current events in
this issue of RTSO Airwaves.

Celebrations & Fundraising

The RTSO would like to congratulate Respiratory
Therapists Without Borders (RTWB) on obtaining
their charity status with Revenue Canada, now
making it possible for charitable contributions to

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014 Page 4

Presidents Message - Fall 2014

be made, both financially and in kind, to the first
ever Canadian-Led, Respiratory Therapy driven
global charity. Proceeds go to RTWB sponsored
mission work, teaching and promoting cardiorespiratory health care and strategies to our
medical colleagues in third world countries, across
patient populations. This charity is a unique way
to demonstrate to the world how Respiratory
Therapists can use their unique knowledge, skills
and abilities to make a difference in the global
theatre, particularly in places where there are
so many that suffer from a variety of respiratory
conditions and diseases, but simply do not have
access to the most basic respiratory health care
resources that many of us in the developed world
take for granted.
The RTSO had hoped to launch a new annual fund
raising program in support of the RTWB and the
RTSO Neonatal Research Grant Program through
a fun run, Zombie Run Undead Unleashed, this
past October 4th at Downview Park, Toronto;
due to unforeseen circumstances and lower
than expected runner registration, the RTSO
was informed by the event promoter and
coordinator on September 15th that all
Zombie Run events across Ontario for the
remainder of 2014 will be cancelled, including
the RTSO event in Toronto. You can imagine
our extreme disappointment considering
the incredible amount of time and energy
invested in this project, with the goal of
helping RTWB and fundraising for our own
Neonatal Respiratory Care Research program.
Fortunately, we did not lose any money but
it did leave a void in our fundraising Program
for 2014, which in the past supported our
Research Committee.

With that in mind, the intention and spirit of this

program remains the same and we have continued
to extend the fundraising challenge to our RT
academic partners, in hopes of nurturing and
supporting a culture of global citizenship and
charity in the RT community. I would also like to
encourage you all to fundraise for RTWB and the
RTSO Neonatal Research Grant Program. Direct
donation to RTWB can be made at www.rtwb.ca on
their donate page.

Emergency Preparedness
As we head into the Flu season (and this year
appears to be a cornucopia of outbreaks and
potential pandemics) I would encourage everyone
to be prepared and take time to review many of
the online resources provided to you by the RTSO,
CRTO and your employer.
This year has seen many threats, from the Middle
East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV), to Avian Influenza A Virus (H7N9), to the
Ebola outbreak in West Africa, to the Enterovirus
D68 (EV-D68) affecting many children across North
America. We are just heading into the influenza
season, and in response to the growing threats of
outbreaks in our communities and workplaces,
the RTSO will endeavour to collaborate and
communicate with local and provincial health
authorities to provide timely Infection Prevention
And Control (IPAC) alerts and updates. The RTSO
strives to provide information that may assist
members in their practice and help keep you,
your families and your patients as safe as
possible. The RTSO is also communicating with
the CRTO to make sure any relevant information
from Public Health and the Ministry of Health is
readily available to all RTs and stakeholders.

Page 5

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Presidents Message - Fall 2014

While we cant control pandemics or outbreaks,
we can control our readiness and response; our
best defense includes prevention, awareness,
immunizations, adequate rest, proper nutrition,
and most importantly, incorporating best IPAC
practices into our daily routines to deliver care that
is both smart and safe! Please see online resources
on the RTSO home page (www.rtso.ca) and click on
the IPAC alert thumbnail, or visit the CRTO website
(www.crto.on.ca) Members section, to view the
Emergency Preparedness page.

Final Remarks
Remember, the RTSO belongs to all Respiratory
Therapists in Ontario! As a regulated healthcare
profession, we have the right to be heard and
we need to be engaged and collaborative with
our peer associations and key stakeholders in
our healthcare system, through our professional
society. As you have read, these are exciting times
for the RTSO and the practice of Respiratory
Therapy in this province.

If you are interested in volunteering with the

RTSO, please contact the RTSO Head Office at
office@rtso.ca Thank you for your continued
membership and please encourage others to
join, so that together, we can ensure our voice is
heard well into the future.
Thank you for allowing me to serve the RTs of
Ontario as the President of the RTSO. It has truly
been an honour and a great growing experience.
On that note, let us continue to build collaborative
relationships and maintain a strong united voice
so that we continue to grow our profession, be
well represented, and forge the foundation of
credibility and viability for current and future
generations of RTs.
Enjoy another great edition of RTSO Airwaves!

Rob

Its Almost Here - November 21 & 22

at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute

Time is running out to register!

Hurry to www.rtso.ca
for further information and to register
Dont miss the excitement!
RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014 Page 6

RTSO Committee Reports

Leadership
Kyle Davies RRT,
RTSO Leadership Chair

With the summer weather now behind us, the

committee is back in full swing with new ideas as
we gear up to the Inspire Evolution Conference
in November. The Leadership stream will include
presentations from:
Connie Martins from SMH around the RESP
Rounds Initiative and,
A follow up presentation from CIHI on the RT
Workload Measurement System.
With the current infection control events around
the world the committee also has been looking
closely at IPAC practices for such things as Ebola
and the new EV-D68. This leads us closely in
discussions around Emergency Preparedness and
Disaster planning and we want to hear from any
organizations that practice Mock Code Oranges.
This is also going to be a focus at the Inspire
Evolution Conference with a special interactive
presentation on Emergency Preparedness from
Dr. Laurie Mazurik!

busy time ahead preparing, so that everything will

go off without a hitch.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the
conference as well as hearing about how your
Department is celebrating RT week.
Cheers,

Kyle Davies
Kyle

With RT Week upon us October 26th

November 01, 2014 and the InspirEvolution
Conference on November 21st-22nd we have
Page 7

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Community Respiratory Therapy

Ginny Myles

RRT, CRE, BHA (Hons).

RTSO Community RT Co-Chair

Sara Han RRT,

The RTSO Community Respiratory Therapy

RTSO Community RT
Co-Chair

Program (PCAP) provincial coordinator at the

Committee has had two productive

Ontario Lung Association, where she plays a role in

telephone meetings and plans a meeting every

implementing an evidence-based asthma program

month with an in person meet and greet (some of

supporting best practice standards throughout

us have not met face to face yet) at the CRTO/RTSO

primary care in Ontario. Through this role, she is a

forum November 21-22, 2014.

resource to various healthcare professionals working

in respiratory health. She comes from working in

During this time, we have been taking care of the

acute care for 6 years and she is now focusing on her

administrative side of the committee equation,

passion for chronic respiratory disease management.

setting up terms of reference, a framework and we

After obtaining her Certified Respiratory Educator

soon hope to have a work plan with tangible action

(CRE) designation in 2009, she worked as a respiratory

attached to priorities that have been identified by

educator in various primary care settings including

surveying the membership. To better determine

physicians offices and a Family Health Team before

what those priorities may be, we are conducting an

joining the Ontario Lung Association in 2013. She

environmental scan of what community activities RTs

has served on the Health Quality Ontario (HQO) QBP

are involved in by each LHIN, so if you are, or know of

for COPD in the Community expert panel in the past

someone, employed, engaged or involved as an RT in

year.

community/primary care work and programs, please

ensure they are included in the scan. You can e-mail

We bid a fond farewell to Mika Nonoyama who is

me mylesg@rvh.on.ca and I can put you in touch

stepping down from the position of co-chair, but

with the appropriate person in your LHIN.

thankfully, Mika will continue on as a committee

member with valued input, experience and passion

The committee welcomes Sara Han as new co-chair

for all things RT in the community setting.

of the committee (along with Ginny Myles). Sara

comes with a wealth of community experience

Thank you, Mika, for all your work to date on this

and enthusiasm. Sara is the Primary Care Asthma

committee and the RTSO Board!

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014 Page 8

Research Committee

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppSc, Co-chair, Georgetown
Akhilesh Patel RRT, BSc, Co-chair, Ottawa
On behalf of Research Committee members:
Louise Chartrand RRT, MA, PhD(c), Ottawa
Marianne Ng RRT, CRE, BSc, Toronto
Shelley Prevost RRT, MAppSc, Thunder Bay
Brooke Read BSc, MHS(c), RRT, London
Ashley Waugh RRT, B.Sc. Hons, London
Mika Nonoyama RRT, PhD, RC Clinical Scientist, RTSO

After an enjoyable summer break, the members of

the Research Committee (RC) met this September,
energized and excited about the presentations
and research results colleagues will be sharing at
this years Forum, November 21st and 22nd! The
Research stream will include:
A panel presentation with three RRTs sharing
their experience in research;
Robyn Klages from the William Osler Health
Centre describing their use of clinical simulation
to translate intubation knowledge, guidelines
and best practice, into an ongoing process to
ensure competency and current knowledge;
and
A poster review session where colleagues
will share results of research, evaluation or
program development activities theyve been
involved with, in a variety of practice settings.
The posters and presentations will be part of a
review process with awards to be presented at
the end of the Forum.

during RT Week!! Along with the abstract

submission review, a key focal point will be
submissions for the Advanced Practice Education
Awards. The successful candidates for the
Advanced Practice Education Awards, including
the Abbvie Awards, will be announced at this years
Forum.
Another key RC initiative has focused on the
establishment of a research group on LinkedIn.
RTSO policies on general communication, social
media, electronic media and a group policy for
the use of the LinkedIn research group have been
developed and approved by the Board. The site
should be set up in time for an announcement at
the Forum!
We hope youve found the additional information
thats been posted on the Research Committee
part of the RTSO website useful and look forward
to seeing you all November 21st and 22nd at the
Forum! Thanks to all our amazing RC members!!

In preparation for the Forum, the RC will be busy

with the review process during the month of
October, as well as celebrating RRT researchers
Page 9

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Editorial

Shawna MacDonald
RRT, RTSO Airwaves Editor
and Family

Editorials can serve many different functions. They

can provide commentary; they can be stimulating;
they can provide a platform for raising awareness;
they can be innovative or just plain out there; they
can analyze; they can rally, and so much more.
Over the last few months, I have learned that the
best editorials should be thought provoking and
contentious pieces, leaving editor open to either
criticism or positive support. To be honest, Im
still in the wind as to where I want to take RTSO
Airwaves but I do like the direction Dave McKay
set us on, being a publication that highlights the
people, places, products and practices of Respiratory
Therapists in Ontario, and I also love a good story.
We have so many stories to tell, and I truly feel that
this is our time to shine, to celebrate, to have our
voices heard and to story our many successes with
enthusiasm, pride and determination. Our fifty year
evolution as a profession finds us heading into a
bright and successful future!
It has been a very busy and interesting few months
since the last edition of RTSO Airwaves. I bid
adieu to one of the finest Respiratory Therapists I
have encountered in my career, on her retirement
after 30 years of practice. Ive witnessed some
exciting leadership changes at work, and also
many unexpected pressures and challenges. On a
personal note, early September back-to-school was
bittersweet watching my youngest head into SK
and my oldest head into Grade 4.

Time seems to pass so quickly these daysthe

dazzling Fall colours in their splendor, and that
crisp, cool breeze in the air - the winds of change
are strong, both in the great outdoors and in the
healthcare environment within which we practice.
Everyday heroes like you are leading the way
towards healthcare transformation through their
passion and innovation in promoting good health
as well as disease and injury prevention, providing
health education, directly caring for patients in
many different contexts, indirectly improving
patient care through leadership, management
or education, and leading or participating in
respiratory research.
Fall brings action- packed opportunities for
professional growth and development -- a bounty
of conferences and workshops available to attend,
and many other professional events to get involved
in. As I am personally hooked on mindfulness-based
practices, I enrolled in a Mindfulness Based Stress
Reduction course for Healthcare Providers, and youll
see a brief article on mindfulness in this edition.
I certainly encourage you to share your commitment
and your passion with others, by contributing
to this publication and advocating for growth
in membership of the RTSO to strengthen our
collective voice. Please consider sharing your
stories, your time, or both, with the RTSO.
I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Regards,
Shawna
RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 10

Nancy Garvey
Retirement Tea
September 10, 2014

Above: Nancy Garvey and Andrea Stevens-Lavigne

Below Right: Nancy cutting special cake
Below Middle: Dilshad Moosa, Nancy Garvey, Mika Nonoyama
Below Left: Nancy Garvey and Sheila Gordon-Dillane

In September The Ontario Lung Association hosted a

retirement tea for Nancy Garvey. Many respiratory therapists
were in attendance, especially those who have worked
with Nancy on the Asthma Action Program. Carole Madely
introduced several speakers including Andrea StevensLavigne (VP Provincial Programs, Ontario Lung Association),
Sheila Gordon-Dillane (Manager of the Ontario Respiratory
Care Society), Dr. Itamar Tamari (chair of the Advisory group
for the Primary Care Asthma Program) and Dr. Teresa To
(Senior Scientist at Sick Kids and Institute for Evaluative
Clinical Scientist).
The Tea ended with Nancy saying a few words, including
noting one of the keys to her success: collaboration.
Although Nancy is retiring as Senior Program Consultant with
the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, she will always
remain a dedicated respiratory therapist.

Photos Courtesy of Mika Nonoyama

Page11

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Health Canadas Air Quality Health Index (AQHI):

Ginny Myles, Registered Respiratory Therapist,

Certified Respiratory Educator
Exercise is an important component of healthy living, but do you discuss with your patients the
environment in which they do it? Should you be concerned if they bike to work every summer day along
a busy road?
Air pollution is often not considered a factor by practicing clinicians in the cause of mortality and disease
or aggravation of disease; however, evidence concludes the opposite, especially in chronic respiratory and
cardiovascular/cardiac diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that mortality, emergency room
visits and hospitalizations increase in a linear fashion with air pollution levels.
There is also evidence that the long and short term health effects of air pollution exposure and
the mechanism of how air pollution exposure can trigger a harmful inflammatory reaction in the
cardiovascular system will lead to exacerbations of COPD, asthma, angina, hypertension, arrhythmias and
myocardial infarction.
This article is intended to increase the respiratory clinicians awareness of the adverse health effects of
air pollution and that the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). AQHI is a nation wide, 0-10 scale monitoring
system that is easily incorporated into patients action plans or care plans.
The AQHI connects air quality to health risk that allows clinicians and patients to self calibrate depending
on how at risk or sensitive they are to air pollution and adjust their outdoor activities accordingly.
Sources of air pollution can be natural, such as forest fires or sand dust, or man made, such as the products
of combustion from cars and manufacturing.
The AQHI is the sum of measurements of small (2.5 micrograms) particulate matter, nitrogen oxide
and ozone. Please refer to the website for Ontario AQHI readings http://ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/default.
asp?lang=En&n=55517B0A-1

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RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

<AQHI Scale>

In Ontario, measuring stations are found at the locations noted below, with Barrie and St. Catharines as
the most recent measuring stations added.

Patients and clinicians can access this data and use the risk scale to avoid triggering or exacerbations
of their chronic diseases. At risk populations are identified on the website as the elderly, those active
outdoors, young children and those with pre-existing chronic lung or heart disease.
As clinicians, we want to encourage an active lifestyle. On days when the AQHI is high enough to be
considered possibly detrimental to health for those at risk, we can offer alternative strategies such as
exercising indoors or postponing activity until level of health risk is lower.
More information on AQHI, including many tools and resources to order, can be found at http://www.
ec.gc.ca/cas-aqhi/default.asp?lang=En&n=CB0ADB16-1

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 14

Confidence
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SUPPORTING CHRONIC
DISEASE PATIENTS
WITH TELEHOMECARE
Helping a patient with congestive
heart failure (CHF) improve her
quality of life has been a real
victory for Respiratory Therapist
Ana MacPherson, MASc, RRT, a
Telehomecare clinician at Southlake
Regional Health Centre in Newmarket,
Ont.

RT Ana MacPherson
puts decades of
experience to work
remotely coaching
patients in their
own homes

The patient, an older woman with

uncontrolled CHF, was depressed
and retaining more than 40 pounds
of excess body fluid. The patients
husband was equally despondent,
feeling helpless and burned out.
The patient was then enrolled in Telehomecare, a program that provides
health coaching and remote patient monitoring. With Anas coaching, the
woman has learned to better control her symptoms.
She and her husband report that they are living a much more active and
satisfying life, Ana says. Months after being enrolled in the program, she
has not been admitted to hospital once for her condition.
Ana, who brings 25 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist (RT) to
the role, monitors and coaches patients who have been hospitalized with
CHF and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Ana is also a
Certified Respiratory Educator, smoking cessation counsellor and seniors
fitness instructor.
Telehomecare was launched at Southlake through funding by the Central
Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) last November. A program
of the Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), Telehomecare provides
patients with simple equipment they can use at home to monitor oxygen

Page 17

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

saturation, weight, blood pressure and heart

rate on a daily basis. Patients also answer a few
questions about how they are feeling. The data are
then transmitted to a specially-trained Registered
Respiratory Therapist or
Registered Nurse who also
provide weekly telephone
health coaching to discuss
goal setting and how best
to achieve optimal health.
The monitored data is also
provided on an agreed
schedule to the patients
primary healthcare provider.
What interests me is working
with patients and doing daily
monitoring, not just seeing
them every two weeks. I had always found it a challenge
to not know how the patients are doing between
appointments, says Ana, who worked in pulmonary
rehabilitation with the Barrie and Community Family
Health Team prior to joining Southlake. She credits the
Registered Nurse and other colleagues at Southlake and
OTN in particular for helping her translate heart failure
guidelines into practice.
For several years, Ana also worked with the Ontario
Lung Association and the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care, implementing the Lung Health
Program. Now she likes being able to share the
knowledge and skills she has acquired over the
years with patients, watching them benefit from the
Telehomecare interventions. In this case Im putting
everything into practice. Its knowledge transfer.

their condition, and better educated in terms

of medication compliance and the impact of
behaviours like exercise and diet on their condition.
Co-funded by the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care
and Canada Health Infoway,
Telehomecare is implemented
by LHINs which designate the
organization that will deliver the
program in the region, usually a
hospital or Community Care Access
Centre. Currently seven LHINs
have Telehomecare in place. It is
expected to grow and eventually
be available province-wide.
Telehomecare data collected
at Southlake show a 57% reduction in hospital
admissions and a 48% reduction in Emergency
Department visits six months after discharge from
the program compared to pre-Telehomecare usage.
At the start of the program, some of our patients were
seeing their providers as often as several times a week.
Now they are down to every month or two, says Ana,
who noted that two-way communication is the key to
success. The response to the program from patients,
caregivers and clinicians has been amazing.
Patients can self-refer or be referred to Telehomecare
by any member within their circle of care. Some
patients are enrolled at discharge from hospital.
Telehomecare is also piloting a service for patients
with COPD and CHF who also have Diabetes.

Telehomecare complements the care patients

Ana works alongside a Registered Nurse, Cathy
continue to receive from their physicians and
Mansour. Mary Bayliss, MA, RRT, who manages
other care providers. By the end of the six-month
Telehomecare at Southlake, was determined to set
program, patients are better equipped to monitor
up the program with an interprofessional model.
RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014
Page 18

Mary advocated for including an RT on the team,

stressing that suitability for the monitoring/coaching
role should be based on core competencies in
chronic disease management, such as how to teach
and promote behaviour change; competence should not
be simply based on a healthcare providers professional
designation.
Ana has lots of experience, and the depth and
breadth of knowledge to
undertake this role successfully,
says Mary, noting that, as a
Certified Respiratory Educator,
Ana has not only completed the
necessary training in asthma,
COPD and education theory,
but she also now teaches the
course to other RTs. She has
a wonderful partnership with
Cathy, and she goes above and
beyond for her patients.
Ana stressed that regardless
of which healthcare provider
delivers the program, it really is
supplemental to the care patients
receive from their regular care providers. It addresses
the gap that period when the patient is not being
seen by their regular care provider, she says, and it
prepares patients to manage on their own at home,
avoiding potentially upsetting and unnecessary trips to
the hospital.
Telehomecare took off quickly and enrollment
targets were quickly surpassed, says Mary, who is
also manager of the Health Links Project and the
Respiratory Therapy department at Southlake. Even
the more senior patients respond very positively to
learning to use the technology, Ana says. Theyre
willing, able and actively involved in their care. Plus,
they can call any time they have a question.

Ana has helped patients determine whether to start

antibiotics when their COPD flares. Early recognition
is important for COPD and CHF. It has helped us to
avoid many ER visits. In another instance, a patients
oxygen readings had been low for several days; Ana
was able to quickly order oxygen from Southlakes
Heart Function Clinic when she could not reach the
patients family physician.
Telehomecare processes and
protocols are based on Best Practice
Guidelines including those of the
Canadian Thoracic Society, the
Canadian Cardiovascular Society and
the Registered Nurses Association of
Ontario (RNAO) interdisciplinary best
practice guidelines.
Counselling is very individualized,
tailored to the patients needs and
goals, she says. The first step is
to conduct a health education
assessment on each individual patient
to see how much they know about the
condition and its management.
Counselling topics covered include: generating
an action plan; healthy lifestyle; being active and
exercising; managing breathing and saving energy;
preventing symptoms and taking medications;
learning about self-management; and practicing for
the weekend.
While the standard Telehomecare program is six
months in length, some patients can request more
help and be re-enrolled. Ana informs them of the
resources in their community to help them continue
to self-manage, and she also follows up with patients
after they have completed the program.
More information on this program is available at
www.RxTelehomecare.ca

Page19

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

The Root of Brain

Function Monitoring
A more complete picture starts with more complete data

SedLine brain function monitoring for the Root patient monitoring platform helps clinicians improve
anesthetic management by enabling more individualized titration.

> Connects to Root via Masimo Open Connect (MOC-9)

> 4 simultaneous EEG channels provide continuous assessment of information about both sides of the brain
> A single sophisticated algorithm provides accurate, reliable information about a patients response to anesthesia
> Instantly interpretable, high-visibility display of Masimos breakthrough rainbow and SET measurements from

Masimos Radical-7 handheld monitor

www.masimo.com
2014 Masimo. All rights reserved.
For professional use. See instructions for use for full prescribing information,
including indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and adverse events.

By William Gregory O

All regulated health professionals should have an

understanding of administrative law because administrative
law guides how the government exercises its legal powers,
including the powers delegated to authorities such as
agencies, boards, and commissions. Specifically, all health
professionals, including respiratory therapists, are subject
to the Regulated Health Professions Act (1990) (RHPA),
profession-specific regulations, and their own regulatory
college. In this article, I will discuss administrative law,
generally, and highlight some of the key provisions of the
RHPA.
As mentioned above, administrative law is the body of
legal principles that regulates the manner by which the
government, and agencies empowered by law, must behave
in administering and enforcing the law. Here are some of the
basic rules of administrative law:
1. statutorily empowered decision-makers cannot act
beyond the scope of their legal authority or jurisdiction;
2. said decision-makers must be reasonable when given
discretionary power to hand down decisions;
3. decision-makers must follow fair procedures in making
decisions;
4. subject to certain exceptions, an administrative body may
not delegate its statutory power to another party;
5. bylaws and regulations of an administrative body must be
consistent with the statute under which the subordinate or
delegated legislation is passed; and,

Page21

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

6. violation of any of these principles warrants

judicial review and the superior courts may
intervene.
After a lengthy consultation process regarding the
public accountability of health professionals, the
RHPA became effective on December 31, 1993.
The RHPA includes a schedule called the Health
Professions Procedural Code, which sets out
the procedural framework for the regulation of
health professionals in areas such as complaints,
discipline, and registration. The RHPA affords all
regulated health professions the privilege of selfregulation, as it establishes a governing college for
every regulated health profession1 and provides
for standalone statutes, specific to each regulated
health profession2.
The self-regulating health profession colleges
are responsible for dealing with allegations of
professional misconduct. Such allegations of
professional misconduct are generally what
trigger an administrative bodys jurisdiction over a
disciplinary matter. Notably, a member of a selfregulated profession has a limited expectation
of privacy over an authorized investigation when
the administrative body has reasonable and
probable grounds to believe that the member has
committed professional misconduct3.
Professional misconduct is any breach of a
professional standard4. Professional misconduct
may be found in the act of administering
healthcare services or even in the behaviour of
a member of a health profession. Therefore, in
addition to practising below the standards of a
given profession, professional misconduct may
include conduct such as improper billing or
improper advertising.

Forms of professional misconduct include offences

relevant to the health professionals suitability to
practise, committing professional misconduct in
another jurisdiction, failing to cooperate with a
quality assurance committee, and the sexual abuse
of a patient or client5. Additionally, RHPA, s. 51(1)
(c) entitles the health profession colleges to create
additional grounds for professional misconduct.
From a legislative prospective, probably the
most interesting aspect of the RHPA is its nonexclusive scope of practice for each profession.
Basically, members of a self-regulated health
profession college do not have the exclusive
right to perform acts within the scope of practice
of the regulated health profession. Instead, the
RHPA prohibits everyone other than members
of a self-regulated health profession college
from performing so-called controlled acts. This
approach is meant to promote freedom of choice
for consumers by leaving as much healthcare
activity as possible to the public domain, while
protecting the public from harm by restricting
inherently dangerous acts6.
RHPA, s. 27 sets out 13 inherently dangerous
activities, which only can be performed by
regulated health professionals; however, this does
not mean that any regulated health professional
can perform each of the defined controlled acts.
Just as we would not want an accountant building
a bridge, it is probably a good idea that dentists
are not delivering newborn babies. Also, a member
of a regulated health profession performing a
controlled act beyond her scope may be found
to have engaged in professional misconduct. For
example, a chiropractor who practised acupuncture
was found to have committed professional
misconduct in Fleuty v. Chiropractic Assn. (Alberta)
(1981), 125 D.L.R. (3d) 500 (Atla. C.A.).

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 22

Under the RHPA, each regulated health profession

has specific title protection and the right to use
the title of doctor has been extended to include
chiropractors, psychologists, and other health
professionals if permitted by regulation7. While
the right to communicate under the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms includes the
right of professionals to engage in informational
advertising8, the freedom of expression does
not include the right to misrepresent ones
professional qualifications to the public9 . A
practitioner who is not from one of the listed
health professions may be precluded from
referring to her doctoral degree in a clinical setting
since RHPA, s. 33(1) restricts the use of the title of
doctor to the provision of healthcare services10.
The administrative process can be daunting,
but it does not have to be. Having familiarity
with administrative law, the RHPA, and the
Respiratory Therapy Act, in addition to getting
strong guidance throughout the process will
make all the difference. Moreover, having a solid
understanding of administrative law and your
statutory obligations will help you provide better
care to your patients.

1. The College of Respiratory Therapists of

Ontario, in the case of Respiratory Therapists.
2. The Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991, in the case
of Respiratory Therapists.
3. Sazant v. College of Physicians and Surgeons
of Ontario, [2012] O.J. No. 5076, 2012 ONCA
727.
4. Trace v. Institute of Chartered Accountants
(Alberta), [1988] A.J. No. 1019, 54 D.L.R. (4th) 82
(C.A.).
5. RHPA, s. 51.
6. Couture v. Canada, [2009] 2 C.T.C. 80 (F.C.A.).
7. RHPA, s. 33.
8. Rocket v. Royal College of Dental Surgeons
(Ontario), [1990] S.C.J. No. 65, [1990] 2 S.C.R.
232, 71 D.L.R. (4th) 68.
9. R. v. Baig (1992), 1992 CarwsellBC 816, 37
W.A.C. 59, 21 B.C.A.C. 59, 12 C.R.R. (2d) 266,
78 C.C.C. (3d) 260 (B.C. C.A.) reversing in part
(1990), [1990] B.C.J. No. 203, 1990 CarswellBC
(B.C. Co. Ct.).
10. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
v. Larsen (1987), 45 D.L.R. (4th) 700 (Ont. H.C.J.).

About the Author

William Gregory O is an Associate at Lion Law,
where his work focuses on administrative law,
business law, and animal law. William is a licensed
Barrister, Solicitor, and Notary Public in the
Province of Ontario. He is also licensed as an
Attorney and Counsellor at Law in the State of
Illinois. William may be contacted by telephone at
416.770.6144 or via email at William@LionLaw.ca.

Page 23

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

In this edition I decided to write on giving up control. When I was a front liner,
the style of leadership then was, control and command, meaning, the front
liner had no say or control of their workplace environment. There was no
collaboration and worse of all; managers would micromanage every aspect. I
am happy to say it is no longer this way, and through some excellent research in
the realm of Organizational Development, we have academic PhDs who have
helped change what leadership really means in the workplace.

Giving Up Control
Managers, coordinators, team leaders, if you are
completing a workplace project or overseeing
a particular issue to completion those who
micromanage do a disservice to their department,
their teams, their fellow staff members and to
themselves. Worse yet, they often prevent their coworkers or staff from growing. One of the smartest
things to do is give up control. Here is how:
1. Push down decision-making: If you are making
all the decisions youre only holding back your
situation and worse, the team. Push decision
making to the front liners or others within the
team who can truly give you valuable feedback
and information to assist with developing the
best possible solution.
2. Accept that mistakes will happen: Sharing
responsibilities with others means things dont
always go according to plan. Prepare the team
or co-workers to avoid mistakes by being clear
about what the expectations are and giving
people the tools they need to do their jobs
well. When mistakes do happen; remain calm,
never lose your temper or raise your voice
and know that, no one purposely wants to

Lucy Bonanno, RRT,

MA, MBA, CAE, CHE

make a mistake. Listen and make it a learning

experience.
3. Build your team: making yourself comfortable
with giving up control requires having people
you believe in and trust. So invest both your
time and resources to develop the team so that
they feel empowered to make decisions and
know they are backed by their senior team lead
that trusts them.

Good managers are brave, and generous

with trust in their people. They want them to
mature in their judgment and grow in their
skills, preferring to err on the side of trusting
too much than trusting too little. They take
pleasure in letting go and giving power away
to their staff, accepting that when someone
who works for them shines, they shine too.
-- Scott Berkun (author)

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 24

Succeeding as a New Graduate:

From Student to
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Ashley R. Waugh, B.Sc. Hons, RRT
The transition from
student Respiratory
Therapist to
a registered,
independent practitioner can be daunting. There
is an element of culture shock; adjusting to a new
workplace environment, establishing rapport
with your coworkers, familiarizing oneself with
new equipment, policies and procedures. It may
be intimidating; working independently with
your personal license as opposed to learning
under your preceptors license. It can be stressful;
learning how to manage workloads and prioritize
patient care while making both ethical and
educated decisions. Many feel unprepared and
lack confidence in the beginning stages of this
new role. Although this transition is challenging,
it can be exciting and rewarding. As a new
graduate, in addition to knowledge and skills,
there is undeniably an attitude and perspective to
develop in order to be successful.
Regardless of the area of practice, many of us
experience similar challenges. We must all draw
on the knowledge learned in school and translate
it into new skills. In an unfamiliar workplace,
we must identify the diverse responsibilities
and expectations that encompass our new role.
Another challenge commonly faced is the loss of

preceptorship as a novice Respiratory Therapist.

During student clinical placements, we receive
constructive feedback to create awareness around
our skills and abilities. As an independently
functioning Respiratory Therapist, we must begin
to reflect and self-evaluate on a regular basis and
seek support when we feel it is necessary.
It is difficult to describe what qualities enable the
new Respiratory Therapist to thrive amidst the
extensive changes to their working life. At the
forefront, it is imperative to foster cooperation and
collaboration between yourself and colleagues
of all health disciplines. As many Respiratory
Therapists enter the field by working in a critical
care setting, these areas can be dynamic and
stressful environments, especially for inexperienced
therapists. It is crucial to become comfortable and
proficient in collaborating with other healthcare
professionals, not only for patient outcomes, but
also for team dynamics. By communicating your
suggestions for patient management, participating
during interdisciplinary rounds and offering to help
your coworkers when needed, you are becoming
a valued member of the healthcare team. All
Respiratory Therapists entering the field as new
practitioners will be challenged with working
independently and building confidence in their
abilities. With time, confidence will develop and

Page 25

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

independence will be further fostered. Sometimes,

of course, this is easier said than done!
Most importantly, as new Respiratory Therapists,
we must be aware of the support we need to
be successful. After acquiring the knowledge
base, it is time to apply the book learning,
advice, tips and tricks from our professors,
preceptors and mentors to become our own RT.
Hopefully, as a novice therapist, you will have
entered a supportive environment where you
feel comfortable being inquisitive and receive
constructive feedback. We are developing our skills

and should be enhancing our critical and quality

thinking, both independently and as an integral
member of the healthcare team.
The transitional experience for a new graduate
Respiratory Therapist entering professional
practice is marked with a significant adjustment
to both personal and professional roles. Surround
yourself with support, allowing for space to foster
critical thinking and expertise in your skills, and
time to gain valuable experience within the field.
Success comes to those willing to try!

Available Now
The new 6 month RTSO membership
application is available
now at www.rtso.ca
(Membership from
October 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015)

Coming Soon
As of December 1st you can renew your RTSO membership for the 2015/2016 year
through the RTSO web site at www.rtso.ca.
(Membership year April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016)
Watch for full details.

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 26

NeoPAP Infant nCPAP System

Advanced Technology Delivered Simply

Patient Comfort, Clinician Peace of Mind.

NeoPAPs leak compensation technology, lightweight
patient interface, and innovative bonnet design work in concert to:
eliminate the need for a tightly-fitted seal, thereby reducing
pressure on the infants face
minimize alarms and adjustments during therapy
allow you to spend more time caring for your patient and
less time tending to the device
encourage an environment where patients can rest more
comfortably and focus energy on growth and development
Learn more at: www.philips.com/neopap

Contact:

1-800-996-6674

www.mcarthurmedical.com
th

1846 5 Concession W. P.O. Box 7,

Rockton, Ontario L0R 1X0

160-2 County Court Blvd, Suite 440

Brampton, ON L6W 4V1
Tel: 647-729-2717/Fax: 647-729-2715
Toll Free: 1-855-297-3089
E-Mail: office@rtso.ca

www.rtso.ca

memBershiP aPPlicatiOn October 1, 2014 - March 31, 2015

First Name: __________________________________________ Last Name: ___________________________________________
Mailing Address: __________________________________________City ______________________Postal Code______________
Personal Telephone: _______________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________
Indicate if you prefer correspondence via email

or print

Employer: ________________________________________
(or school if student)

(RTSO correspondence is primarily conducted via email)

Position:______________________________________________

Bus Telephone: ______________________________ ext.: _______________

Fax: ___________________________________

memBershiP OPtiOns
Practicing MeMbershiP associate MeMbershiP -

$100 + 13.00 HST (includes Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance

and Ontario Respiratory Care Society (ORCS) Membership & benefits***) = $113.00
CRTO Registration Number__________________ (required for practicing members)

$125 + 16.25 HST (excludes Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance)

Includes Ontario Respiratory Care Society (ORCS) Membership & benefits*** = $141.25

corPorate MeMbershiP (Vendors) -

$125 + 16.25 HST = $141.25

student MeMbershiP -

1 year from date of RTSO membership registration = $30 + 3.90 HST = $33.90

(Indicate Year of Graduation - 20___ )

Note: First year Graduates are free, however the graduate MUST complete and register as a Practicing Member on the appropriate
membership form. To qualify, the graduate MUST have been an RTSO student member for a minimum of 3 years prior to graduation and
MUST provide his/her CRTO Registration Number within one year of graduation. Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance coverage is free
for the first year if the grad is completing their licensing requirements while he/she is under supervision of an RTSO member who is licensed.

HST Registration # 107889339

An Associate Member is an individual not holding a certificate of registry from the CRTO.
*In choosing to apply for the Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance**, the undersigned respiratory therapist declares that he or she has never been the
recipient of a claim which could be covered under the present policy; or is not aware of any circumstances which could lead to a claim under the present policy.
**Professional Liability & Indemnity Insurance coverage: $2M/incident / $4M aggregate; Nil Deductible
Disciplinary Defense: $175,000/claim / $175,000 Annual Aggregate
Criminal Defense Reimbursement: $200,000/incident / $200,000 Annual Aggregate;
Sexual Abuse Counselling & Rehabilitation: $10,000/insured / $250,000 Annual Aggregate
Legal Representation Expenses: Subpoenaed as witness $1,500 each claim
Complaint $5,000 / Max annual aggregate for both $50,000
***Please visit www.on.lung.ca for complete details of ORCS membership

Indicate Area of Interest: Advocacy

By mail:

Research RTSO Airwaves

Student Affairs

Leadership

Payment OPtiOns

Cheque (payable to The Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario)

Visa or MasterCard are now available via PayPal - please complete the form available on www.rtso.ca
Note: A PayPal account is not necessary. Visa/MasterCard/American Express/Discover/Interac are all accepted means of payment.
Visa or MasterCard are also available without PayPal - please complete the following:
Cardholder Name: ______________________________________________
VISA/MasterCard #: _____________________________________________ Expiry Date: ______________________
Cardholder Signature: ___________________________________________

RTSO Privacy Notice

The process of collection and using information about individuals is now more complicated as a result of legislation, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents
Act (PIPEDA). PIPEDA applies to personal information. It is information about an identifiable individual, but does not include the name, title, and business address or business phone
number of an employee of an organization. It does not apply to information about corporations, PIPEDA applies only to individuals. Any personal information collected by RTSO is
used solely for the purposes of providing membership services and will not be used for any other purpose without your consent.

Whats the Buzz?

We may eat without really tasting, see without really seeing,
hear without really hearing, touch without really feeling, and talk
without really knowing what we are saying. ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

Shawna MacDonald RRT

Thats a great quote, and when I encountered it for the first time
it certainly made me stop and reflect on the many times I found
myself to be on auto-pilot in my busy day, as I am sure many - if
not all - of you can relate to. How many have driven home from
work and not really been present on that drive? How many of
you get busy planning a response to a question when the person
youre conversing with is still talking? How many nod or shake
their head when listening, but walk away having not really heard
the full story being told?
Mindfulness is about paying attention, on purpose, to the
present moment, non-judgementally just observing, noticing
but not reacting to thoughts that wander in. Its about acting with
intention and purpose. Its about quieting the mind by focusing
on the breath (or on the experience) without labeling or judging.
Its about giving ourselves permission to experience something to just sit in it, fully and not drift focus or plan our next move or
rush off to get to the next thing on the list completed.
In our work, we pour a lot of our energy into it and we derive
satisfaction from a job well done, and yet the workplace can be a
source of great stress as well, and it seems there is an abundance
of it to be had. Our busy, fast-paced, multi-tasking lives can lead
to a disconnect, and we can find ourselves practicing without
awareness of our practice as well - without truly seeing or fully
listening, without feeling empathy, conversing on auto-pilot.
Mindfulness is powerful stuff. Its about self-acceptance, selfawareness and self-compassion. It can soothe and heal mind,

Page 29

RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

body and spirit. There is a growing body of

scientific evidence that mindful practices can
reduce anxiety, stress, and chronic pain. Other
studies demonstrate psychological benefits, such
as elevated emotional intelligence and increased
resilience to change and adversity. Formal practice
involves learning a basic mindfulness meditation
such as following the breath and practicing it
on a regular, preferably daily, schedule. Informal
practice can literally take place any second of the
day, involving focusing the mind on whatever is
happening in the present moment, outside of
those auto-pilot patterns or responses we have
built up over a lifetime.
By paying attention, moment by moment, to
where we are and what were doing, mindfulness
can help us choose how we will behave, knocking
us out of auto-pilot. Even a moment of mindful
awareness can make any experience richer and
more insightful, leading to greater job satisfaction
and a happier, more productive workplace. And
who wouldnt want that?

Would you like to learn more about Mindfulness?

If you are a smart phone user, there are over 120
Apps related to mindfulness. Courses are popping
up all over the province at hospitals, universities,
wellness centres and beyond. There are also some
samples of great websites and resources listed
below:
Websites:
www.mindful.org
www.mindfulnesshamilton.ca
www.mindfulnessmeditationtoronto.com
Samples of free guided meditations are
available from:
UCLA http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=107
Tara Brach http://www.tarabrach.com/
audioarchives-guided-meditations.html

What did you do for

RT Week?
Visit www.rtso.ca and click
on the appropriate e-card.
Share the experience.
RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2014

Page 30

Home Oxygen Programs

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Standard Clinical Program

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Contact us at
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> Clinical assessment

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> Oxygen saturation

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> Safety instruction

> Review of respiratory medications

> 24/7 on call

The VitalAire Difference

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> Home Safety Assessment

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and safety

> Current and potential

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> National and International

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> Walking Diary and

ambulation goals

> Cutting edge products

(tele-monitoring trial)