New Guidelines Target Unnecessary Therapy in Hospitalized Patients

IRVING, Texas, Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Patients admitted to the hospital with various illnesses may receive routine therapies intended to clear the lungs of mucus. This can be costly due to the time required by a respiratory therapist, nurse, or other health care provider to deliver the therapy. In addition to labor costs, some therapies require an expensive device.

New insights into the effectiveness of this therapy were presented by Shawna Strickland PhD RRT on November 17 at 2:05 pm, as part of the 59^th International Respiratory Convention and Exhibition of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in Anaheim, CA. Dr. Strickland reports that a new systematic review commissioned by the American Association for Respiratory Care, in conjunction with the Vanderbilt University Evidence Practice Center, finds that there is current lack of evidence showing the benefit of these therapies when performed routinely. To address this evidence void, accompanying clinical practice guidelines written by a team of experts provides guidance for the appropriate selection of these therapies.

Says Strickland, "The newly released guidelines focus on the use of therapies designed to clear airway mucus for patients in the hospital. Following these recommendations may result in a reduction of unnecessary care. It also has the potential to reduce hospital cost due to elimination of unnecessary procedures. The guidelines have also highlighted the need for further research into the effectiveness of these therapies."

To coincide with the presentation by Dr. Strickland, the systematic review and clinical practice guidelines have been published ahead of print in the science journal Respiratory Care (www.rcjournal.com) Full publication will follow in December.

About the AARC
The American Association for Respiratory Care is a 52,000 member professional association of respiratory care professionals. The organization is dedicated to encouraging and promoting professional excellence, advancing the science of respiratory care, and serving as an advocate for patients, their families and the public.

Further information about the AARC and how to become a respiratory therapist are available at www.AARC.org .

SOURCE American Association for Respiratory Care