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. The product is delivered through a palm-sized device called Ellipta. It is known as Relvar ...

The health care industry can learn a lot from business. If you do not think health care is a business, you're wrong. Just check out the forms you fill out, the charting you do, and the cashier's cage. One of the failures I see in health care is an inadequate attention to project management. Project management can cover everything from planning ...

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 Baton Rouge, La.  A recent article in USA Today warns to brace for a ''hard-nosed allergy ...

Many people know about the website LinkedIn. Like any site, it has drawbacks. Still, it is a good and increasingly popular way to establish an online presence with other professionals. LinkedIn is looked to more by business people than other social media websites. It can be difficult to use and navigate, you cannot ''friend'' someone randomly ...

I write an opinion blog. Everyone has an opinion. I know this, and I know that each time I write, some will agree and some disagree. Some people just take pleasure in spreading rumors to stir the pot. This seems to be the case of some of those on Facebook -- in particular, a relatively new group to the RT scene which has done little more than ...

Few things drive me crazier than when someone is suspect for tuberculosis (TB) and no one picks up on it. Though uncommon now, it has always been a problem, and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), TB still kills 2 to 3 million people per year.  The United States has come a long way in TB. With aggressive treatment and some of ...

To wrap our networking discussion, let's delve a little deeper into some of the social media that allow us to connect with others. First is Facebook. Unless you have been hiding under a rock, you are already familiar with it. You may even have a page on there. Be careful; more and more human resources folks are checking for Facebook pages to find ...

Rebuilding your network after a recession can be hard, but there are some things you can do to get all the people you need back in your circle of colleagues. Networking is important because that is how you hear about the good jobs, learn about conferences and events, and even keep up with old friends. Sure, you can do all that on websites such as ...

In December, we talked about work/life balance and how to have a healthy work and personal life. Let's get back on track with the work. So, you have your school. Check. You have your credentials. Check. You have your job. Check. You are working on balancing your work and your personal life so you can realize all the dreams you have. Check. Let's ...

As this New Year starts, it is a good time to take an assessment of your certifications. Respiratory therapy now requires a diverse spectrum of skills and training. More than ever, respiratory therapists are called upon for not only treating patients, but also for advice. We are expected to know not only the respiratory system, but how the system ...