reflection

Unsure? Get Tested!

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A nasopharyngeal swab this past Friday followed the end of my deployment in acute care. A phone call from Markham-Stouffville Hospital confirmed a negative COVID-19 result. I endured 15 seconds of discomfort for a comfortable return to the PFT lab. It was a happy ending to being upfront.

Almost 4 months ago we stopped our pulmonary function testing. I was deployed to the acute care side of the respiratory therapy department. Helping in ICU, Emerg and wards. It was a quick refresher and a dive back to a side of respiratory care that I had not been involved with for almost 6 years.

While my exposure to COVID-19 patients and equipment were with proper PPE utilization, one could never be too sure. At the end of my rotations, and before seeing vulnerable patients in the PFT lab, I decided to get tested.
This is not the first time I have been tested over the last 3 months. With the start of spring, my seasonal allergies became evident. Mornings with red eyes and a runny nose were becoming the new norm for me. At the start of all this, and with these new symptoms, screeners and the occupational health department sent me for testing.

While I was relaxed, comfortable and calm about my recent, second test, the feeling about my first test was not the same. With my first test, I felt almost embarrassed and annoyed. Calling my manager and wondering what my colleagues would think about me being off due to COVID-19 was at the back of my mind. I didn’t want to be known as the person who didn’t use his PPE correctly or be known as the person who got deployed to be helping but now has become a vector. The only reason I am sharing my past false perception and beliefs is to share two points with you. Firstly, of course, you should do your best to follow proper hand hygiene, PPE, social distancing and other recommendations. Even if you have done all of the above correctly, it doesn’t mean that you are 100% protected. Secondly, there is no shame in getting COVID-19. Testing is becoming more readily available, so if you have any concerns that you might have contracted COVID-19, please get tested. It is important not only to look after yourself but also to protect others.

While I work in the healthcare field in Canada, this recommendation extends to all the frontline workers in the world. Thank you for your dedication and service. To those who have followed the recommendations and remained at home, thank you for your team effort. To those who have lost their jobs, became ill with this disease, or lost someone because of it, my heart goes out to you. 2019 and 2020 have been difficult but has shown me that we do great things when we come together. #StrongerTogether.

Farzad Refahi
June 13, 2020
www.respiratory.blog/unsure?-get-tested!/

Right After Getting The Swab

We Are In This Together

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Post by Farzad Refahi. Photo by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash

Just like many of you, I have and will continue to go through changes during these challenging times.

My Journey So Far

Since our outpatient testing lab has closed, I have been deployed to assist the acute care respiratory therapy (RT) team. I have been working in Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) labs exclusively for the past 5 years.   This has made me re-assess my awareness of acute care practices. I pulled out old notes and textbooks, and have been studying daily to refresh my knowledge.  I had to reintroduce myself and get comfortable with specific ventilators and equipment (and get trained on some new ones).   Being back in acute care, even in a supporting role, has made me feel vulnerable.  I want to help the team in patient-care without being a burden to the team, without expressing false confidence, and without making mistakes that can impact patient care (and my licence to practice).

Continuous Support and Learning

Going forward, I will continue to help the acute care RTs in my hospital with steps that can make their lives easier which includes keeping an eye on the inventory, making ‘grab and go’ packages, circuiting vents, being the runner, and looking after simple respiratory assessments.  On my own time, I will continue to review my RT knowledge using available resources such as my textbooks, notes, online videos and courses, networks and colleagues.  I’ll be honest with myself and colleagues about my weaknesses and strengths, asking questions when needed, while trying to be mindful and aware of stress levels.

My Supportive Network

This transition has not been simple, but I am lucky to have a lot of support.  The RT team at Markham-Stouffville Hospital has been very supportive.  My fellow deployed RTs are amazing in team-work and supporting each other.  Thanks to all the acute care RTs, and other healthcare providers, for all your hard work.  I want to give a shoutout to the team at RTSO who have been understanding and supportive of my deployment.  Also, to RT’s like Thomas Piraino, who are contributing to knowledge sharing and best practices for Mechanical Ventilation in this crisis. Tom, I don’t know how you manage all this! Research, clinical work,  publications, family and still have time to do daily Mechanical Ventilation Q & A sessions (6 pm on his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/respresource/ ). Your contribution to the RT profession is much appreciated!

Also, a big shoutout to my amazing wife, who supports me through all these challenging times.  I am lucky to have strong family support in my life!

Take Care of Yourself

Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses. Navigating a new environment, at work and in life, can be scary and it tests us.  Even though we may be trained, competent and capable, we all have doubts once in a while.   I know its hard to take a moment for yourself in a time of crisis, but we also need to be mindful of our own physical and mental health so we can help our patients as well. 

Final Thoughts

These are unique and challenging times.  We are in this together! I am going to finish this post with a quote from Brené Brown (Daring Greatly. 2012).

“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.”

Blog post by Farzad Refahi. Photo by TK Hammonds on Unsplash

Be safe,

Farzad Refahi
April 11, 2020
https://www.respiratory.blog/inthistogether/

Gratitude

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During stressful times we tend to focus on the challenges and the struggles. It is important to not lose sight of the positive in our lives and to give gratitude.

Over the past few weeks, I have witnessed many amazing people stepping up to help everyone.  Thank you, Sue Jones and Kelly Hassall, for your ongoing dedication and leadership to help RTs through Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO).  Thank you, Gino Luigi De Pinto and Sue A., for keeping the RTSO website up to date with the latest resources.

   Thank you, Thomas Piraino, for putting together the great resource on your website, and answering questions live on social media. 

Also, a big thank you to Carolyn McCoy, Andrew West, Carole Hamp and Kevin Taylor for your ongoing hard work in the background.

  Thank you to RT programs for lending your ventilator to hospitals, and taking your third-year students out of clinical rotations to keep them safe.

Farzad Refahi
March 23, 2020
www.Respiratory.Blog/gratitude/
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Quiet First Day of Spring

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Today is March 20th, 2020. The first day of spring. Happy Nowruz to all those who celebrate the new year. Iranians, among few other nations, have the first day of spring as their new year.

While new year celebrations involve visiting others and sharing delicious food, this year will be quiet. I hope it is quiet. Let’s continue the social isolation. Let’s continue to practice proper hand hygiene. Let’s self-isolate if you are feeling unwell. Let’s think about the vulnerable population and the elder members of the family.

My blog posts are usually meant for clinicians. This time, I am writing to every one, since dealing with COVID-19 is beyond the work of clinicians and healthcare system.

While you monitor your physical health, please don’t forget about your mental health. There are various electronic and video communication options that allow you to connect with others. Call the elderly to check-up on them. If you know someone in isolation, ask if they require groceries (being dropped behind their door).

Those who experienced SARS in 2003 may experience higher levels of anxiety around this time (especially clinicians). Make sure you connect with proper resources, support and intervention if required.

Give yourself mental breaks. Find a few trusted sources for news and COVID-19, and only review those. Constantly reading about it may induce increased anxiety. ( www.RTSO.ca is one of my trusted sources.)

Find appropriate stretches and exercises that can be safely done at home. Stay hydrated. Use this opportunity to stop smoking. Pick up that book that you always intended to read!

Don’t forget about the positive. Give gratitude for the good in your life. There are many great people who are doing their best to help out. A quick shout out to respiratory therapists and clinicians who continue to work to keep us healthy. Fatima Foster is creating a supportive online community for clinicians who are experiencing some anxiety around this time. John Meloche from Melotel Inc. is using the resources in his company to support communities and organizations who have non-for-profit COVID-19 support groups. There are many more examples if you look for them!

Have a happy, healthy, and quiet Nowruz!

Farzad Refahi
www.Respiratory.Blog/HappyHealthyQuietNowruz/

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To Acute Care for Support?

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Our Pulmonary Function Lab has been closed for the past two days to reduce the risk of transmission to patients, especially the vulnerable populations.  Things are changing daily, and there many unknowns. (To non-clinicians reading this, we do know proper hand hygiene and social distancing works!)

I have worked full time in a PFT setting over the past 5 years.  With PFT lab closed, and a chance for deployment to other units, I need to do some reviewing! 

The Essentials of Respiratory Care by Robert M. Kacmarek .Fourth Edition. 2005. Elsevier Mosby

The Essentials of Respiratory Care, Fourth Edition, by Robert M. Kacmarek, Steven Dimas and Craig W. Mach is one of my resources.  This textbook was not actually a resource during my studying, however, it was a recommendation by one of the instructors (shout out to Paul Smith at The Michener Institute). Since I have not been trained in the acute care setting of my hospital, I don’t know about many of the protocols, selection of equipment and policies.  I am still going to use this opportunity to review some respiratory care knowledge.

Do you have any up to date, open access and free resources to recommend?

Farzad Refahi
www.Respiratory.Blog/AcuteCareReview/

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