COPD Pocket Consultant Guide

COPD Pocket Consultant Guide App - from the COPD Foundation

This IOS (& Android) application is designed to support the treatment and management of COPD. The latest version contains an updated therapy flow-chart, the latest medications, inhaler instruction videos, depression and anxiety screeners, a new pulmonary referral checklist and much more.

In addition, users can toggle between tracks specifically designed for patients and caregivers by clicking “Change View” in the upper right of the main menu screen. The patient and caregiver track has features, including an interactive "My COPD Action Plan" and tracking calendar; inhaler and exercise videos; activity tracking; a wallet health information card; "For My Next Visit" prompts and more.

https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/The-COPD-Pocket-Consultant-Guide/Healthcare-Provider-Track.aspx

Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) - generic name, clinical suffixes

End in ide or end in one:
Always an inhaled steroid.

* budesonide

* ciclesonide

* flunisolide

* beclomethasone

* fluticasone

* triamcinolone

Beta-Agonist (SABA & LABA) - generic name, clinical suffixes

End in ol:
Always a Beta-Agonist bronchodilator.

albuterol (SABA)

formoterol (LABA)

levalbuterol (SABA)

olodaterol (LABA

salmeterol (LABA)

vilanterol (LABA)

SABA = short acting bronchodilator aerosol

LABA = long acting bronchodilator aerosol

DISCLAIMER, Restatement - 

The information contained in this website is not medical advice. While a licensed respiratory therapist presents the content, the author is not a physician. 

Questions relative to your health, the health of a friend or family and/or patient care concerns should be directed to your physician or primary care provider. 

If you are having chronic, difficult and unresolved respiratory problems, consider speaking to your primary care provider about a referral to a pulmonologist.  

3 Rules for Your Clinical "Smartphone"

 Don't let your Device be an Information or Infection Vector!

1) Protect your employer.

    * Follow your organization's policy on smartphone (handheld tech) use.

2) Protect your patient.

    *H.I.P.P.A., H.I.P.P.A., H.I.P.P.A.!

        * Protected health information (PHI):

            * cannot be on an unsecured smartphone.

                * Including photographs.

            * Don’t let your smart device become an unsecured PHI vector.     

        * Keep your handheld tech clean.

            *   Don’t let your smart device become an infection vector. 

3) Protect yourself

    * If you use handheld tech with a patient or family, let them know that you are using the device for them.  (e.g. checking drug compatibility, performing a calculation)

Epocrates - Hand-held Knowledge Extension

Epocrates

Even in its free non-subscription form, Epocrates offers a comprehensive portable drug reference for the respiratory therapist and other health care practitioners.

Drug Reference:

    • Adult and pediatric dosing

    • Black box warnings 

    • Contraindications, adverse reactions, and drug interactions

    • Pharmacology

    • Manufacturer and approximate retail price.

It also includes:

    • Interaction checking

    • Pill ID

    • Clinical guidelines

    • Clinical calculators

The robust search and category structure enables efficient use of Epocrates regardless of your healthcare focus.

https://www.epocrates.com/

Medscape - Handheld knowledge extension

Medscape - Comprehensive portable resource

https://www.medscape.com/public/medscapeapp

Medscape is a leading comprehensive portable resource for healthcare professionals, it offers essential point-of-care drug and disease information; the latest medical and pulmonary focused news and relevant professional education.

Medscape membership is free and gives you unlimited access to the entire network of sites and services.

Simplify - Practicing what I preach.

 Simplifying the Blogs Format

I am going to try to practice what I preach and make some changes as I move forward. 

* Streamline and simplify posts whenever possible and practical.

* Remove illustration "fluff" unless it is directly pertinent.

* Remove distracting backgrounds. 

* Repost, update and simplify old post.

* Mark out of date posts.

Respiratory Care a Profession For You?

Is Respiratory Care the Right Profession For You?

* Do you want to help people every day of your working life?

* Do you like working with technology?

* Do you want the ability to work in a variety of places with patients of all ages?

If this sounds like you, respiratory therapy could be a career for you!

Job stability is excellent and demand for respiratory therapists has never been higher. 

The opportunity to help people and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others means you’ll get much more out of your career than just a paycheck.

https://be-an-rt.org/