The other day I received a Pulmonary Function Testing question that I had not dealt with lately. I provided a short answer but did mention that I will connect with a trusted expert. Here is a quick shoutout to Dan Pinard from Novus Medical Inc. Thank you for the quick and comprehensive answer!
If you have read any of my annual Thank You posts, that I write during RT Week, Novus Medical Inc. is a recurrent name. Once again, they are supporting the PFT Symposium in Canada. This year, 2020, the symposium is on September 18th and 19th and takes place at Radisson Vancouver Airport Hotel.
From my understanding, more information will become available as soon as speakers have confirmed their invitations. For more information, you can visit https://www.cacpt.ca/conference/ . Also, to learn more about the great team at Novus Medical Inc. visit: https://www.novusmedical.ca/about-us .
I will let you know as I find out more about the event!
There are various ways that you can get involved with your respiratory therapy organizations in Canada. Some take a minute to do, some five minutes, and some requiring a few hours a week on an ongoing basis. You can make a difference, and you should not take that lightly or for granted.
Fast and Easy Involvement
Takes a minute to find your respiratory therapy organizations on social media platforms. Follow them. It helps you stay up to date, and by sharing the relevant and important posts, you help with spreading the word, advocating and promoting the profession.
Takes a Few Minutes but You Will Help Shape Things On a Larger Scale
Our national organization, Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, is filling a few spots on the board of directors. Put aside 5 minutes to read the biographies and letters of intent. The voting process takes just a minute. Have your say, and help shape the future of our profession on the national level. Go to www.CSRT.com and vote! The deadline is tomorrow!
Have Some Time To Volunteer On An Ongoing Basis?
Have a desire to help and support your provincial organization? RTSO is recruiting for various position and roles. Visit www.RTSO.ca for more details. I have been volunteering with RTSO for more than 2 years, and have assisted with various projects. I have learned from many amazing volunteers over this time.
Together, We Are Stronger!
We can make a difference. Renew your national and provincial RT memberships!
A few days ago I was listening to CBC radio, as I was driving to work, when I heard about a recent study that has shown an association between household cleanings products and increased risk of developing childhood asthma. I totally forgot about it until today when I noticed Mr. Noel Pendergast RRT sharing a link to the content on his Facebook page. My reaction when I first heard about this was: “Of course!”. We never actually think about it, but it sure makes sense.
A Known Concept?
It’s interesting that I can recall a childhood memory when during a family gathering, Dr. Nehzhat shared his concerns about bleach as a routine household cleaning solution. Side note, he is a chemist and one of the most wonderful people I have ever met. Back to the main point… “Please stop using bleach. Don’t breathe that in. Cannot imagine what that will do to your lungs”. Ongoing exposure to the fume, specially in a non vented area, could lead to respiratory changes for any individuals (regardless of the age).
Various Cleaning Chemicals
I worked as a lifeguard for few summers and even then I wondered how dealing with concentrated liquid chlorine may impact people’s breathing.
If I had to share my thoughts with my patients, I would recommend limiting exposure to harmful fumes and chemicals. Also, make sure that the area is well vented. I am not sure if I would be as comfort recommending masks as THE solution, as this false hope may lead to unnecessarily and higher and longer exposure periods. Side note- realistically, how many people are properly mask fitted and educated about the right mask for the right task?
Be Aware and …Clean
This is not to take away anything from proper hygiene, clean environment and limitation of irritants including known triggers.
Thoughts?
What are your thoughts on this?
Resoures
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/7/E164
For the full article please visit the following link:https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/7/E164
Why you should take the time to update your portfolio?
The new year has begun, and hopefully, you are excited about
it! Documenting your achievements,
awards and projects as you go along seems great but not always a convenient
step. Here is your chance to take a
step back and document them.
So why do this?
We get busy and forget to document our achievements
throughout the year. It will help you save time when it comes to updating your
resume, filling out your annual employment review, realizing your areas of
strength, and help with your goal setting and career planning.
Stepping back and looking at your achievements with a quick
glance can help you practice gratitude and build confidence.
It is also a good reminder for certification deadlines and
professional organization renewal dates.
Where you can document your progress
At the end or beginning of the year, set aside time to
update your portfolio. By portfolio, I
refer to whatever system you have in place to organize your resume,
professional documents, and continuing education files. Once you establish a system, updating it
should become much easier, more rewarding and less frustrating.
Personally, I use a cloud system that is free and easily
accessible from any electronic system that can connect to the internet. I personally use Google Documents because it works
for me.
I already have existing folders and documents which help me
track my continuing education activities.
Creating a new document or adding to the bottom of your year-end page,
you can update your accomplishments.
Questions to help you track your accomplishments
To simplify things here, think about these three areas: Projects, courses or certificates, and
skillsets.
What were some projects that you were part of (employment or
volunteering)?
Which courses or certificates have you completed or renewed?
What new skills you have learned or strengthened?
(Optional: Publications, Test Scores, Awards, Languages,
Patents and other relevant categories)
Start Now!
Access your existing paper portfolio or your secure and
accessible cloud/online folder. Answer
the three questions mentioned in the previous section.
Bonus: Think about your upcoming year personal or career
goals to see if your accomplishments support your goals. What are some activities that support you in
your path? The answer to these questions
can help you set goals for your upcoming year!
Tell me about your process?
What has helped you? Also, what
are some of your memorable accomplishments over the past 12 months? What are you looking forward to
accomplishing?
It was a few years ago during Respiratory Therapy Week that I started a tradition for myself. During RT Week I would reflect and write a note to recognize and thank individuals who have directly or indirectly made an impact in my respiratory therapy practice over the past year.
Over the past 2 years, I have been spending a lot of my spare time on RTSO activities. I get to witness an amazing work by a great group of people. First and foremost, thank you, Nancy Garvey! She continues to contribute to this field without asking for anything in return. Gino De Pinto, thank you for the energy you have brought back to this organization. Sue Martin, thank you for your ongoing care for RTSO. I appreciate your courage to look after an area of organization that requires the most amount of attention. Sue Jones, thanks for your efficient and effective leadership approach. Hope you can save us one more time. Shawna MacDonald, thank you for continuing to do wonderful work with Airwaves despite having limited resources. Kelly Hassall, I look forward to working on more projects with you! David Offengenden, your support of Nancy is vital to the operation of this organization (thank you for ongoing dedication). Rob Bryan, you may have stepped down to give space to the new team, however, your years of service at this organization is clear and still noticeable and appreciated. Dilshad Moosa, you were given a difficult assignment and you still took the challenge (thanks for your dedication and contributions). To all the members of RTSO who have renewed your membership, thank you! As Sue Jones clearly described at the 2019 Leadership Summit and Inspire Conference, if we don’t have the majority of RTs supporting the organization, why would the government listen to our voice of concern and advocacy? Thanks for supporting RTSO. We advocate for our patients on a day to day basis, advocating for our profession should be as important.
Making a transition from provincial to the national. CSRT. Thanks to the board of directors, president, CEO, administrative team, and volunteers! A special thank you to
Carolyn McCoy for her contributions to CSRT, and on a personal note, on her ongoing guidance and mentorship. A thank you to Carly Brockington for her patience with me (as a novice peer reviewer). A quick thanks to a retired member of CSRT, Christiane Menard. Your interest and support of my blog fueled my interest in supporting the RT organization. Thank you.
Through CSRT, I have met many wonderful individuals and I would like to give a quick shoutout and thanks for their ongoing support of my online presence: Brandon D’Souza, Sebastien Tessier, Christina Dolgowicz, Marco Zaccagnini, Thomas Piraino, Noel Pendergast, Frank Fiorenza, Dave Wall, Greg Donde, Mika Nonoyama, Dave Sahadeo, Lynard Higoy, Kuljit Minhas, Katherine Nollet, Christina Sperling, Patrick Nellis, Karl Weiss and many more (my apologies if I have missed your name).
Moving to a global level. Thank you to Bernad Ho (Bsc, RCPT), Thomas Piraino, Mika Nonoyama, Eric O Cheng, Frank Fiorenza, and Andrew West for your involvement and advancement of RT practice and image on a global level.
On a corporate level, thank you to John Meloche (Melotel Inc.) for supporting my online presence. Just like Christiane Menard, you have been one of my first followers/supporters.
Also, thank you to the Novus Medical Inc. for their huge role in the support and growth of the diagnostic side of respiratory care in Canada.
Congratulations to Tony Kajnar on receiving the Pinnacle Award from the RTSO. Despite all the resistance and barriers in your way, you have not given up and continue to advance and grow the diagnostic side of our profession. I also appreciate your mentorship over the years.
To my mentors, a huge thank you to Carolyn McCoy, Thomas Piraino, Christina Sperling, Nancy Garvey, Mika Nonoyama, Mieke Fraser, Kathleen Olden-Powell and Noel Pendergast (I am sure that I am missing some names here).
Carole Hamp and Kevin Taylor, I may not have direct contact with you, but I do recognize and appreciate your hard work at CRTO.
Kari White and Madonna Ferrone, I may not really know you two but keep up the great work!
RT schools, I have noticed and appreciate your increased online involvement. More online presence, a higher RT representation!
Dave Wall and Greg Donde, thanks for starting an RT podcast. Seb Tessier, Dave Sahadeo and I had previously spoken about this void and glad you guys started RTAudio.
A quick shoutout to my Markham Stouffville Hospital RTs that help me stay sane at this crazy fast-paced PFT lab: Carolyn Greer, Kim Dixon, Perrin Michael and Sheery Tse.
A special thank you to my amazing wife, Jessica Morgan, who despite having an ongoing busy schedule, makes time to support and encourage my RT involvement.
As I type this thank you post, I become increasingly nervous and worried about the names that may have escaped my mind.
If you have read this far, I am very impressed and thankful. On that note, a huge thank you to my followers. I know that I have not been as active. That is not due to lost motivation or interest. For the last 2 years, I have been volunteering with RTSO, assisting in various projects and goals. As I become more efficient at my roles, I will redirect more time into my blog and online activities.
