American Association for Respiratory Care   

The AARC surveyed the respiratory care profession in 2009 on everything from demographics to wages to procedures, hours and more. Here are just a few of the highlights from this study that will serve as a great reference for everyone who works in the field: (a) Mean annual salary for respiratory therapists increased 10.7% increase since 2005; (b) The number of active RTs grew from 111,706 in 2000 to 145,117 in 2009; (c) On average, each respiratory therapist reported caring for about 6 patients receiving mechanical ventilation; (d) It takes an average of just under 4 weeks to orient a new employee in an acute care hospital; and (e) Educational program directors mean salary has increased 12% since 2005. Provided on CD, this study contains detailed surveys from Respiratory Therapists, Educational Programs and Acute Care Hospital Employers in PDF files. Bonus! Compensation Calculator - this Excel spreadsheet lets you plug in your own demographics for earnings comparison. Copyright 2009 American Association for Respiratory Care. All Rights Reserved.

*UPDATED FOR 2010* "Which of our respiratory therapy services are billable?" "How do I code for pulmonary function testing?" In their consulting engagements, MedLearn experts frequently hear these and other questions that can significantly affect revenues and regulatory compliance. The answers are clearly laid out in the 2010 edition of Coding Essentials for Respiratory Therapy/Pulmonary Function. This book includes: step-by-step guidance through CPT code usage and format, modifiers and charge-master review methods; clarification of which services are billable and which are not (routine vs. acute); how to avoid common mistakes, such as the unbundling of codes for pulmonary function testing; billing rules for respiratory therapists vs. nursing personnel; detailed explanation of the CCI and how to interpret CMS edit tables; overview of Medicare medical necessity coverage policies and frequency limitations; and 2010 APC payment rates and guidelines from the Medicare Hospital Manual. AARC MEMBERS RECEIVE A SPECIAL RATE FOR THIS MEDLEARN PUBLICATION WHEN ORDERED THROUGH THE AARC STORE. Order online or contact Customer Service at 972-243-2272.

This book is about how ventilators work - how to think about them, when to use various modes, and how to know if they are doing what you expect. The underlying concepts of mechanical ventilation are addressed from the ventilator perspective. In addition to providing a complete reference, each chapter includes self-assessment questions and key ideas that make it an effective learning tool. The unique approach of this book makes it valuable not only to health care workers, but to those individuals who must communicate with clinicians. It is an excellent tool for managers, educators and students alike. Author Robert L. Chatburn, BS, RRT-NPS, FAARC. Copyright 2003. Book; 312 pages. [For a CD version, see SW0001.]

This course is about how ventilators work - how to think about them, when to use various modes, and how to know if they are doing what you expect. It is contained in an easy-to-use electronic book and study guide that is well-suited for program curriculum, competency review or in-service training. In addition to a *.pdf copy of the book "Fundamentals of Mechanical Ventilation", the CD includes a book test that can be accessed by multiple users with immediate, printable test results. Chapter summaries, key terms and topics, chapter quizzes, and a glossary also guide the user through reviews. Easily installed on your PC in just a few minutes. Requires a PC with Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows XP, 10MB of free hard drive space, CD-ROM drive, printer, and a Super VGA display with minimum resolution of 800 x 600. Also needs Adobe Acrobat Reader (which can be downloaded free from www.adobe.com) and two Microsoft programs that are installed with the program if necessary (Microsoft.NET Framework 1.1 and Microsoft Data Access Component 2.7). Author Robert L. Chatburn, BS, RRT-NPS, FAARC. Copyright 2003.

*NEW FOR 2010* This indispensable book clearly and concisely presents the most recent Medicare payment information for respiratory therapy services in the outpatient setting, while detailing steps to ensure full regulatory compliance. This book includes: how typical procedures map to APCs and to the current reimbursement; new CPT(r) codes for respiratory therapy, along with code revisions for ventilation management; method for calculating hyperbaric oxygen therapy unit payment; key to status indicators at the bottom of every other page, guiding you through Medicare payment policies; and reverse look-up section listing all procedures that belong to the same APC. AARC MEMBERS RECEIVE A SPECIAL RATE FOR THIS MEDLEARN PUBLICATION WHEN ORDERED THROUGH THE AARC STORE. Order online or contact Customer Service at 972-243-2272.