{"title":"Development of a guide for continuous positive airway pressure use - A good fit: Making continuous positive airway pressure work for you.","authors":"Adeel Meraj, Lauren Koep, Muhammad R Baig","doi":"10.29390/001c.127656","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.127656","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in veterans with mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Untreated OSA reduces the effectiveness of the treatment of PTSD. Treatment of OSA has been shown to reduce daytime sleepiness and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most effective treatment for OSA. A large number of veterans cannot tolerate CPAP therapy due to anxiety and PTSD symptoms. Positive airway pressure (PAP) NAP, a daytime sleep study for patients with anxiety about starting CPAP and exposure-based cognitive behavioural interventions are the mainstay for the management of CPAP intolerance. However, these options are not readily available to veterans in rural areas, who constitute about 40% of veterans registered in the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>After getting local IRB exemption, we surveyed thirty (30) veterans in the outpatient clinic setting who could not tolerate CPAP therapy to evaluate the need for a tool to improve CPAP adherence. We reviewed the literature and conducted focused group meetings with local and national experts. We also convened consumer groups and stakeholder meetings, including primary care, sleep medicine, and mental health providers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After a comprehensive evaluation process, we compiled a concise self-help guide combining principles of cognitive behavioural therapy using a behavioural hierarchy approach towards CPAP desensitization. This guide can be used by veterans independently at their homes to improve CPAP use. A printer-friendly version is available for download on the South Central Mental Illness, Research, Education and Clinical Center (SC MIRECC) and the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System (STVHCS) website. The guide will be provided to veterans during the initial CPAP setup and available in clinic waiting rooms throughout the system.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our guide will serve as an effective self-help tool to improve CPAP adherence. It may result in the improvement of various medical and psychiatric conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"61 ","pages":"7-16"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11760215/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is CT pulmonary angiography overutilized in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism? A retrospective study.","authors":"Rabbani Mahmoud Daoud, Ahmed Majeed Mohamed, Muath Salahuddin Almajthoob, Salim Fredericks, Israa ElSayed Daoud, Moath Mahmoud Daoud, Mahmood AlSaeed","doi":"10.29390/001c.127660","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.127660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite the high mortality rate of acute untreated pulmonary embolism (PE) at 30%, diagnosing PE is challenging. While the prevalence of PE has decreased in recent years, the overuse of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) remains a concern. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines using the Wells score for PE assessment. The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) recommends a positive yield of 15.4% - 37% for CTPA tests. This study assesses the positive yield of CTPA for suspected PE patients and evaluates the potential reduction through Wells score/D-dimer assessment as recommended by NICE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>All patients who underwent CTPA between September 1, 2019, and January 31, 2020, at Salmaniya Medical Complex were included. Data on patient demographics and pre-CTPA workup were collected from electronic patient records (EPR) and stored in MS Excel 2019 for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 188 suspected PE patients (mean age 50 ±12.3 years; 62.8% female), 12.2% were diagnosed with PE. None had documented Wells scores. A low-risk Wells score (≤4) was assigned to 68.6% of patients, with only 26.1% undergoing D-dimer testing. PE was confirmed in 4 patients with low-risk Wells scores and elevated D-dimers. All 10 patients with low-risk Wells scores and negative D-dimers were PE-negative.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In total, 5.3% - 47.9% of the CTPAs conducted could have been avoided by following NICE guidelines. We propose integrating an algorithm-based checklist with validated tools like the Wells and Geneva scores into the ePMA system to guide appropriate CTPA referrals, promote evidence-based decision-making, reduce unnecessary imaging, and optimize patient care and resource use.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"61 ","pages":"127660"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11735043/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143013598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Highlighting the year's most transformative research as voted by the editorial board: Exploring knowledge gaps and research needs in respiratory therapy.","authors":"Elizabeth Rohrs","doi":"10.29390/001c.126973","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.126973","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"176-178"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11634185/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142814366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marco Zaccagnini, Carly Brockington, Elizabeth Rohrs
{"title":"Earning a Journal Impact Factor: Progress, recognition, and growth for the CJRT.","authors":"Marco Zaccagnini, Carly Brockington, Elizabeth Rohrs","doi":"10.29390/001c.125457","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.125457","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"173-175"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11602234/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142740819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ivan Šitum, Lovro Hrvoić, Ante Erceg, Anja Mandarić, Dora Karmelić, Gloria Mamić, Nikolina Džaja, Anđela Babić, Slobodan Mihaljević, Mirabel Mažar, Daniel Lovrić
{"title":"CPAP vs HFNC in treatment of patients with COVID-19 ARDS: A retrospective propensity-matched study.","authors":"Ivan Šitum, Lovro Hrvoić, Ante Erceg, Anja Mandarić, Dora Karmelić, Gloria Mamić, Nikolina Džaja, Anđela Babić, Slobodan Mihaljević, Mirabel Mažar, Daniel Lovrić","doi":"10.29390/001c.125145","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.125145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies exploring the application of noninvasive ventilation or high-flow nasal cannula in patients with COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have yielded conflicting results on whether any method of respiratory support is superior. Our aim is to compare the efficacy and safety of respiratory therapy with high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure in treatment of COVID-19-related ARDS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective cohort study based on data from patients who received respiratory support as part of their treatment in the COVID intensive care unit at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb between February 2021 and February 2023. Using propensity score analysis, 42 patients treated with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC group) were compared to 42 patients treated with noninvasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP group). Primary outcome was intubation rate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Intubation rate was 71.4% (30/42) in the HFNC group and 40.5% (17/42) in the CPAP group (<i>p</i> = 0.004). Hazard ratio for intubation was 3.676 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.480 to 9.232) with the HFNC versus CPAP group. Marginally significant difference in survival between the two groups was observed at 30 days (<i>p</i> = 0.050) but was statistically significant at 60 days (<i>p</i> = 0.043).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Respiratory support with high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure yielded significantly different intubation rates in favour of continuous positive airway pressure. The same patients also had better 30-day and 60-day survival post-admission.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"164-172"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11531311/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142569798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Efrem Violato, Jennifer Stefura, Meredith Patey, Brian Witschen
{"title":"A multi-institution longitudinal randomised control trial of speaking up: Implications for theory and practice.","authors":"Efrem Violato, Jennifer Stefura, Meredith Patey, Brian Witschen","doi":"10.29390/001c.124914","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.124914","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Speaking up is an important yet challenging aspect of health professional communication. To overcome social-cognitive influences and improve speaking up, an intervention based on Kolb's experiential learning cycle was developed, which integrated Virtual Simulation, curriculum, and practice speaking up. The present study investigated if integrating Virtual Simulation influenced Respiratory Therapy students' ability to challenge a physician compared to a control condition at multiple time points during training.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multi-institutional longitudinal randomized control trial was conducted. Students from two schools completed a Virtual Simulation or No Virtual Simulation before classroom instruction on speaking up and an in-person simulation requiring speaking up. After three-to-six months and post-clinical placement, students completed a second simulation requiring speaking up. The student's ability to speak up and use CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety Issue) was measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No significant effects for the intervention were observed across time points, <i>p>.05</i>, with a small effect for using CUS, ϕ=.28. During the study, two unexpected findings emerged with theoretical and practical implications. The multi-institutional design created a natural experiment that allowed for the identification of instructor effects on speaking up and Bloom's Two-Sigma problem. Observations were also made related to perceptual limitations that diminish the ability to speak up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Single speaking-up interventions continue to appear to be ineffective. To substantially influence behaviour, consistent mentorship through a \"champion\" is likely necessary to train for and create a culture of speaking up. Training in situational awareness is also likely needed to counter human perceptual limitations in complex situations.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"152-163"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11509214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142509913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cut-off values of one-minute sit-to-stand test for determining physical performance in mild-post-COVID-19 individuals.","authors":"Arunrat Srithawong, Puttipong Poncumhak, Tichanon Promsrisuk, Patchareeya Amput","doi":"10.29390/001c.124110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29390/001c.124110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aims to establish cutoff values for the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1STST) to predict physical performance in mild-post- coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) individuals and to compare the 1STST with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in assessing hemodynamic response and to explore the correlation between 1STST, 6MWT, and muscle strength, including leg and respiratory muscle strength.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study of 93 participants with mild post-COVID-19 symptoms was conducted. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data were collected, and pulmonary function, as well as respiratory and quadriceps muscle strength, were evaluated. Functional capacity was assessed using the 6MWT and 1STST. Additionally, hemodynamic responses, fatigue, and dyspnea were measured before and after each test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cutoff for the 1STST in mild post-COVID-19 individuals was ≥29 repetitions, with an AUC of 0.84, sensitivity of 80.52%, and specificity of 75.00%. The 1STST resulted in higher heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and dyspnea compared to the 6MWT, and showed a significant moderate correlation with the 6MWT (r = 0.532, <i>p</i> < 0.0001) and weak correlations with leg strength and respiratory muscle strength.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A cutoff of less than 29 repetitions on the 1STST indicates functional impairment in mild post-COVID-19 cases, as it induces greater physiological stress than the 6MWT and correlates with muscle strength, making it crucial for rehabilitation assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"143-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11470771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing scholarly practice in respiratory therapy: A call for professional evolution.","authors":"Elizabeth Rohrs","doi":"10.29390/001c.122734","DOIUrl":"10.29390/001c.122734","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"140-142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378726/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156212","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marco Zaccagnini, André Bussières, Peter Nugus, Andrew West, Aliki Thomas
{"title":"The scholarly and practice profile of respiratory therapists in Canada: A cross-sectional survey.","authors":"Marco Zaccagnini, André Bussières, Peter Nugus, Andrew West, Aliki Thomas","doi":"10.29390/001c.122345","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29390/001c.122345","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Respiratory therapists (RTs) are expected to provide high-quality care for patients with chronic and acute cardiopulmonary conditions across the lifespan by staying abreast of emerging scientific evidence and effectively integrating it into clinical practice. This integration of evidence is encompassed within the competency of scholarly practice. However, there is currently a limited understanding of RTs' scholarly practice. Furthermore, despite RTs' widespread presence in the Canadian healthcare system, comprehensive studies describing the profiles of RTs are lacking. This study aimed to describe the demographic characteristics, scholarly and practice profiles of the respiratory therapy profession in Canada.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was distributed via the national professional association and regulatory bodies. The survey contained seven sections with 52 items. We calculated means and standard deviations, or medians and interquartile ranges for continuous variables and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables. Open-ended questions were analyzed using summative content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We analyzed data from 832 participants (6.8% response rate) from Ontario (17.8%), Québec (15.7%), and Alberta (13.3%), and across other provinces. Nearly 40% had completed an undergraduate degree beyond their respiratory therapy diploma. Few participants had authored or co-authored peer-reviewed publications. RTs reported reading approximately 2.2 peer-reviewed publications monthly. Most participants agreed on the importance of critical reflection in practice (93.1%) and that having a supportive work environment was vital. Almost three-quarters of participants (73.4%) reported that they believe that RTs are valued members of interprofessional teams, and 78% agreed that understanding research enables them to engage in patient advocacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This survey provides a portrait of the practice and scholarly profile of the respiratory therapy profession in Canada. While the profession shows potential for growth, concerns persist regarding limited engagement in activities related to scholarly practice. Addressing these challenges and nurturing a culture of scholarly practice are likely necessary to support the development of scholarly practice in the profession. Creating supportive environments, providing access to resources, and encouraging professional development activities may advance the scholarly practice of RTs. Future national surveys could employ random sampling strategies to achieve a more representative sample of the profession.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"122-139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11393024/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142297630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paulo Navas Boada, Kevin Chamorro, Santiago Ballaz
{"title":"Survival analysis of COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 patients requiring intensive care for acute respiratory distress syndrome: An observational retrospective study.","authors":"Paulo Navas Boada, Kevin Chamorro, Santiago Ballaz","doi":"10.29390/001c.122402","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29390/001c.122402","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aim: </strong>This study analyzed clinical factors impacting the survival of COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress síndrome, or ARDS (CARDS) to ICU compared to non-COVID-19 ARDS patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinical variables from 1,008 CARDS cases and 332 ARDS cases were computed using learning algorithms. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models with the enter method evaluated risk factors and ICU mortality relationships. The survival analysis was completed with Kaplan-Meier and the log-rank tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A Random Forest model revealed that mechanical ventilation-related factors, oxygenation, blood pH, superinfection, shock, and ICU length of stay have the greatest effects on ICU survival. According to a multivariate Cox model, reintubation and a high-flow nasal cannula were essential for survival in CARDS patients during the ICU stay. The length of stay in the ICU diminishes in patients older than 45 years, regardless of the source of ARDS.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study gives recommendations for the respiratory care of ARDS in COVID-19 patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":39373,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy","volume":"60 ","pages":"112-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11392457/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142297629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}