Let’s read an article a month– June 2020

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Every month I try to read an open-access article. After reading the article, I share the title and associated link with my followers. This is to encourage clinicians to read articles, stay up to date, and continue to grow.

This month I found a great article on June 20th, 2020. I spent a few days with it, and now I share it with you.

Predictors of progression in systemic sclerosis patients with interstitial lung disease

  Oliver Distler, Shervin Assassi, Vincent Cottin, Maurizio Cutolo, Sonye

  K. Danoff, Christopher P. Denton, Jörg H.W. Distler, Anna-Maria

  Hoffmann-Vold, Sindhu R. Johnson, Ulf Müller Ladner, Vanessa Smith,

  Elizabeth R. Volkmann and Toby M. Maher

  Eur Respir J 2020 55:1902026; published ahead of print 2020,

  doi:10.1183/13993003.02026-2019 OPEN ACCESS

https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/erj/55/5/1902026.full.pdf

Top 3 reasons why I enjoyed reading this article:

-A well-written review of key pathways implicated in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (pp2-4 ). Inflammatory pathways are complex and while I enjoy reviewing them, I never tend to be able to memorize them. There is also a nice diagram that goes along with the description (i.e. Figure 1 on page 3).  

-An insider and expert view of the challenges involved with the disease diagnosis. When it comes to interstitial lung disease, there is so much for me to read and learn about. I am involved with the Pulmonary Diagnostic side of respiratory care, and mostly I see patients with confirmed diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (usually in the later stages). Occasionally I do see patients who have some indications in an imaging test, CXR or Chest-CT, and are visiting the PFT lab for additional information. “One potential barrier to diagnosis a lack of awareness within primary care of SSc, which can lead to late referrals” (p.5). 

-If you are involved with pulmonary diagnostics, you will enjoy this article as there are references to lung function values (with some references to 6MWTs) (found on pp 7-8).

Happy Learning!

Farzad Refahi
June 25, 2020

http://respiratory.blog/let’s-read-an-article-a-month–june-2020/

CRE Renewal

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Today I recalled a conversation with Dilshad Moosa about her Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE) recertification last year.  Then I realized that a year has passed by and this year is my renewal date!!  If you received your CRE from the Canadian Network for Respiratory Care (CNRC) in June of 2015, the due date is at the end of this month!  Visit CNRC’s website for additional information:   http://cnrchome.net/recertification.html 

www.CNRChome.net

Farzad Refahi
June 17, 2020
https://respiratory.blog/cre-renewal/

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

Thank you Carolyn

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Image by Carolyn Greer on Instagram (Cardio-Respiratory Team)

Today one of my good colleagues retired from her part-time job at our hospital. The PFT department is thankful for her 20 years of service. While she held various roles over the years, I have known her for the past three years at Markham-Stouffville Hospital’s PFT lab. Her journey in becoming a respiratory therapist is truly inspiring, which you can read in this interview:  https://respiratory.blog/carolyngreer/ .

Without hesitation, I can recognize her as our most patient-care focused clinician who also highly valued team effort in operating a quality lab. While I will miss working with her, I’ll stay in touch with her. When I was considering to join the board of directors at Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario, she was one of the supporters who encouraged my involvement.  Many more words of wisdom that were shared on our way to Tim Horton’s.

Carolyn, thank you for your years of service. Glad to call you a friend.

Farzad Refahi

June 4 2020

Let’s read an article a month – May 30, 2020

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Every month I try to read an open-access article. After reading the article, I share the tittle and associated link with my followers. This is to encourage clinicians to read articles, stay up to date, and continue to grow.

This month I found a great editorial post on May 15th, 2020. I spent a few days with it, and now I share it with you.

Will children reveal their secret? The coronavirus dilemma
Luca Cristiani, Enrica Mancino, Luigi Matera, Raffaella Nenna, Alessandra Pierangeli, Carolina Scagnolari, Fabio Midulla
European Respiratory Journal 2020
55: 2000749; DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00749-2020 https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/55/4/2000749

You will be presented by suggestions, ideas and theories such as high angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor concentration, innate immune response as both protective and a destructive mechanism, and constitutional elevated lymphocytes.

Happy Learning!

Farzad Refahi
http://respiratory.blog/lets-read-an-article-a-month-may-30-2020/