Twice-Daily Huddles Improves Collaborative Problem Solving in the Respiratory Care Department.

Background: Lean Six Sigma processes are used in health care systems to increase safety and efficiency. Daily huddles, one tool of the Lean Six Sigma process, have been used to increase patient safety, facilitate efficiency in problem solving, promote optimal patient outcomes, and reduce poor communication. Huddle utilization by respiratory care departments has not been previously reported.

Overfeeding and obesity in young children with positive pressure ventilation via tracheostomy following cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Infants with CHD requiring positive pressure ventilation via tracheostomy are especially vulnerable to malnutrition following cardiac surgery. Current post-operative feeding recommendations may overestimate the caloric needs.

Design: We retrospectively studied infants requiring tracheostomy after cardiac surgery.

Home discharge of technology-dependent children: evaluation of a respiratory-therapist driven family education program.

Background: Initial hospital discharge to home of technology-dependent children requires extensive training and education of the family caregivers. Education of adult family members should promote positive interactions in a nonthreatening manner while facilitating the development of the knowledge and skills to competently and independently provide all aspects of the medical care. We utilize a training program for adult family members of children who have undergone tracheostomy to facilitate long-term mechanical ventilatory support and who are being prepared for their initial discharge from the hospital to home.

Hospital discharge of respiratory-technology-dependent children: role of a dedicated respiratory care discharge coordinator.

Background: Preparation of respiratory-technology-dependent children for hospital discharge presents many challenges. Adequate training and education of parental caregivers, discharge planning, and coordination with the durable-medical-equipment and home-nursing companies must be completed. A process using multiple respiratory therapists (RTs) to achieve this may not be efficient.