In My Opinion : Patient Care

New Drug Approved for COPD

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:26:00 GMT

The FDA has approved a new weapon to treat COPD. It is called Breo, an inhaled drug by GlaxoSmithKline of Britain and Theravance of the United States. It consists of a corticosteroid, fluticasone furoate, and a long-acting beta-agonist called vilanterol....(read more)

Using Hand Sanitizers to Get High

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:50:00 GMT

A new trend is catching on in schools. Some kids are now sniffing hand sanitizer, like the ones on hospital walls across the country, in an effort to "get high." Germ-X seems to be most popular. These bottles are very easy to come by at the local pharmacy...(read more)

Top 10 Cities for Allergies

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:36:00 GMT

The top 10 cities for allergies have been identified. They are, in order from worst to better, Jackson, Miss.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; McAllen, Texas; Louisville, Ky.; Wichita, Kans.; Dayton, Ohio; Memphis, Tenn.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and...(read more)

Merry Christmas to All Respiratory Therapists

Jimmy Thacker — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:59:00 GMT

As the blog before Christmas, let's take a short break from our usual chatter. I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. Whether you are working the night shift, managing a vent all day or just standing by in the emergency department, I hope you have...(read more)

When the Holidays are Hard

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 21:55:00 GMT

We have spent this past month talking about work and life balance. Let's finish up this week with a talk about therapists and patients who suffer through the holidays. Many patients may be silently suffering because they have lost a spouse or someone...(read more)

RTs Must Uphold Professionalism

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:45:00 GMT

My BS-o-meter has a pretty narrow scale. One of my many, many faults is that I hate feeling like someone is abusing me, my time, or my talents. Many of you feel the same though you may not admit it. In the hospital, I tired quickly of patients who already...(read more)

RTs: Prepare Now for Fall Allergy and Asthma Patients

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:51:00 GMT

In Missouri, it has been a long, hot summer. Triple digit temperatures were the norm, as they were in many states. The Midwest was hit hard by drought. Surrounded by wildfires, people really did not have much choice on where to go for vacation. Seems...(read more)

Embracing Preventative Care

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:41:00 GMT

It is a mystery to me why healthcare proponents are not embracing preventative care over traditional health care. The focus on improving longevity is great and has been effective, but the question that should be asked is: are we improving quality of life...(read more)

Needed: Innovative Respiratory Therapists in Patients' Homes

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:16:00 GMT

A conference I recently attended brought up an interesting topic: home-based respiratory care services. The speaker was not talking about DME services but actual respiratory therapists in the homes of patients providing services to keep them out of the...(read more)

Top 5 Reasons Americans Pay High Health Care Costs With Little Results

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Reason #1: The doctor does not want to get sued. It's called "defensive medicine." Doctors may order unnecessary tests, procedures, or therapy to cover their rears in a lawsuit. Under the gun, doctors who order more tests for the "just in cases" believe...(read more)

Where Does the Supreme Court Decision on Affordable Care Act Leave Us?

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:31:00 GMT

CNN reports that "in a landmark ruling that will affect the November election and the lives of every American, the U. S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the controversial health care law championed by President Barack Obama" (CNN, June 28, 2012). It...(read more)

RTs Should Put the "Care" Back in Health Care

Jimmy Thacker — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 13:25:00 GMT

Every day, I get up, have coffee, and read all seventeen of the newspapers that are emailed to me. Yes, I am a nerd, and proud of it. One story has stuck in my mind as something that America is trying to keep swept under the rug: health care. I am no...(read more)

RTs Should Give Mobile Devices a Rest At Work

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:49:00 GMT

The lab guy came into the emergency room with a Bluetooth device on. The entire time he drew the blood from the patient, he chatted with whoever was on the other end. I waited my turn; I had been called for a breathing treatment. When the lab guy left...(read more)

Why Should States License Respiratory Care?

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:11:00 GMT

Does licensure work? The Institute of Justice recently did a study of over 100 occupations (respiratory therapy was not one of them) and found that it probably does not. It does, however, raise costs and keeps competition, one of the best things about...(read more)

Preventing Polypharmacy in Senior Citizens

Jimmy Thacker — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

I am always amazed by how many senior citizens do not keep medication lists with them. Everyone talks about how important these lists are and everyone seems to agree that they should be carried by anyone on medicines, especially seniors who have comorbid...(read more)