An analysis of features of respiratory therapy departments that are avid for change.

Background: Models of organizational change-readiness have been developed, but little attention has been given to features of change-avid health-care institutions, and, to our knowledge, no attention has been given to features of change-avid respiratory therapy (RT) departments.

Methods: We conducted an exploratory study to compare RT departments we deemed change-avid or non-change-avid, to identify differentiating characteristics. Our assessments regarding change-readiness and avidity were based on structured, in-person interviews of the technical directors and/or medical directors of 8 RT departments.

Laboratory evaluation of the Vortran Automatic Resuscitator Model RTM.

Background: One device that has been proposed to address the need for emergency ventilation is the Vortran Automatic Resuscitator.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that increasing load (ie, increasing resistance or decreasing compliance) significantly affects minute alveolar ventilation.

Methods: A Vortran Automatic Resuscitator was connected to a passive lung model and we measured load with 8 combinations of 4 compliances (14, 28, 46, and 63 mL/cm H(2)O) and 2 resistances (20 and 42 cm H(2)O/L/s).