RT magazine in unique in respiratory care because it is more than a peer-reviewed publication, a trade journal, and a news source.
By Tony Ramos
RT magazine has a unique position in the field of respiratory care because it is more than a peer-reviewed clinical publication, more than a trade journal, and more than a source of news and product information. RT magazine is able to meet the education and information needs of all RCPs. This issue, which is being distributed at the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) meetings, is a prime example of the depth and diversity of articles that appear in each issue of RT. By delivering a solid mix of clinical articles, case reports, facility profiles, guest editorials, and product and news information, it provides RCPs with access to a publication that addresses many of their clinical practice issues and related topics of interest so they do not have to scour a number of different sources.
This issue’s facility profile provides an inside look at the respiratory care department at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn—considered by many to be one of the finest health care institutions in the country. Through examples of how respiratory care is delivered and managed at exemplary facilities with state-of-the-art technology, RCPs from all over the country can pick up ideas on how to improve their respiratory department and patient care. Peer- to-peer learning is one of the most effective ways for allied health care professionals to stay in touch with the industry and improve the process of delivering care.
Our spotlight on the Society of Critical Care Medicine demonstrates the important and growing role that RCPs are playing in the critical care setting and showcases the fact that RCPs are delivering patient care in a wide variety of settings from critical and intensive care to postacute care, which is great news for RCPs looking for job opportunities outside of traditional settings.
John Zoidis, MD, and Phyllis Braun, PhD, have put together an excellent piece on infection control in the intensive care unit. Controlling infectious disease in acute care settings is of paramount concern to hospital administrators and health care risk managers. RCPs have the opportunity to become key players on the infection control team.
In addition, this issue of RT contains a number of superbly written clinical articles ranging from the use of bilevel positive airway pressure for intubated patients, to pharmacological agents in the management of sleep disorders, to the role of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the management of asthma. Even though RCPs have been forced to address many nonclinical issues over the years as all of health care learns to focus on managing the business side of health care, the clinical skills of respiratory care will always be the driving force behind quality treatment of patients. For this reason, RT will always maintain a definitive balance of clinical articles and business management information.
On the nonclinical side, this issue features an insightful article on incorporating asthma education into a rehab program. RCPs have the most influence on assuring patient compliance and their unique role as care providers and patient educators has allowed asthma sufferers to keep their symptoms under control.
Author Paul Mathews, PhD, RRT, FCCM, FCCP, reviews a recent book that addresses measurements of respiratory mechanics during mechanical ventilation. Larry Conway, RRT, continues our magazine’s tradition of providing articles on the RCP’s role in sleep medicine. The field of sleep medicine is growing at double-digit rates and shows no sign of slowing down. Who better to address the growing needs of sleep- deprived patients than RCPs? Our product showcase takes another look at sleep medicine with a product profile of CPAP devices.
With our attendance this year at the AARC and ACCP meetings, the staff at RT will be looking for article ideas and authors to meet the needs of our editorial calendar for 2001. If you have an idea for an article or would like to write a clinical or business management piece for our publication, we would love to hear from you. At the end of the day, keep in mind that RT is your magazine and we value both your loyalty as a reader and your input.
RT
Tony Ramos is the former publisher of RT. For more information, contact [email protected].
