SueAnn Reese, Policy Coordinator for the Coalition for Healthy Idaho discussed the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) that was the result of the lawsuit against tobacco companies. Idaho’s portion of the MSA has been titled the “Millennium Income Fund.” Ms. Reese explained the process that is involved in determining the distribution of monies from the fund and suggested areas where respiratory care practitioners might have input. More opportunities for RCP involvement were presented when Jean Woodward spoke on the Idaho Asthma Management plan. The Asthma Coalition of Idaho is planning an Asthma Educators Institute. If you are interested in being considered for participation contact your local Idaho Health District and let them know you are interested in the Asthma Educator Institute. If selected your tuition would be paid. In return, you would be expected to pay for and complete the Asthma Educator Exam. You would then assist with the education of patients with a diagnosis of asthma. 

Jeff Hampsten explained the indications and complications of hyperbaric medicine and shared case studies demonstrating treatment of patients with large diabetic ulcers.  The photos he used to illustrate his talk showed amazing responses. Jeff’s presentation was followed by Dr. Brian Edwards who discussed MRSA, and VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococcus). Dr. Edwards examined new perspectives on isolation of patients with MRSA and new types of antibiotic therapy.

In his presentation titled “Liberating the Ventilator,” Dr. Peter Krumpe examined ventilator weaning strategies and evidence based weaning guidelines. Jody Lester closed the conference by encouraging participants to promote respiratory care and assist in developing the new therapists that will be tomorrow’s respiratory care practitioners. 

Please take the time to thank the vendors who assisted with sponsorship of the conference:  ResMed, MedGraphics, MEDIQ, Salter Labs, Masimo, Pfizer, VersaMed, Hudson RCI, Lincare, Tyco, Tri-anim, InnoMed Technologies, Medical Care Associates Inc., Alpha-1 Foundation, CHAD Therapeutics, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Fisher & Paykel, Siemens Medical, Astra Zeneca Respironics, Sepracor, Pharmacia, Coalition for Healthy Idaho, Cardinal Health, Praxair, Mead Johnson, and Norco. 

The Bar J served dinners of the old style western meal, followed by entertainment from their own group (The Bar J Wranglers) who played a rendition of the old country western life style while in their camp and on the range. We all enjoyed ourselves with a great evening of dinner and entertainment from this group of entertainers. If you want to experience real western hospitality, then this is the place that you need to visit.

(Editor’s Note: The original entertainment at this year’s conference was slated to be a guided horseback tour.  This had to be cancelled due to a problem with the outfitter.)

We hiked, biked, played water balloon volleyball and numerous other games. Dan Malloy (camp name Zolar) did the archery as he has in past years. Our newest pastime was the President’s Council for Physical Fitness. Michele Andrew, Jan Ford, Dan Malloy and Tracey Dayley helped with the five different stations. All kids participated 100% with only one making the President’s Award for all five stations. We had nine President’s Awards, 18 National Awards and eight Participant Awards.

Jan Ford was in charge of education and some of the craft projects and, as usual, did a fantastic job. We made balloon-powered racecars, autograph books, stepping stones, shirt painting and craft bags. The Carnival was a big hit with kids and adults alike.

I hope more of you can come next year.  At least find us kids. We want 40 to 50 next year.

Twenty-five children attended the Eastern Idaho camp at Peterson Park in Ammon (near Idaho Falls) on June 12th. Twenty kids attended the Western Idaho camp at Municipal Park in Boise on June 19th. 

"We were very happy with the turnout at both camps and with the response from the parents," said Paula Bermudo, Program Director of the American Lung Association of Idaho. "This program gives a wider range of ages (5-13) the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, arts and crafts and asthma education in a medically-supervised environment."

The Asthma Day Camps highlight some of the same activities the children get to have at the Camp Super Breathers residential camp in August. Children must be 8 years old to attend the week-long residential camp. Participants at both camps play educational games, participate in sports activities and create a variety of craft projects to commemorate the experience.

St. Luke's Respiratory Therapist Kimberly Tilley served as the medical coordinator for Asthma Camp.

"The benefits of the Asthma Day camps are numerous," Tilley said. "The camp is a great way for kids to learn how to manage their asthma in a fun and safe environment. The kids also have a great time interacting with other kids who know how they feel. The parents are able to sit down and talk to a qualified physician about their concerns without interruption." 

During the lunch hour, pediatrician Dr. Perry Brown conducted a talk and question/answer session with the parents.

"It was so helpful to get to talk to Dr. Brown about medications and hear him answer questions in an environment like the Day Camp," parent Susan Saad said. "You just don't get the chance to talk to your doctor like that when you are in the crowded office and your child is in the middle of an attack." 

Saad's five-year-old daughter Katie said her favorite part was getting to take home a large goodie bag filled with toys, candy and games. Her seven-year-old brother Charlie enjoyed exercising his lung capacity in the bounce house.

Asthma Day Camps are planned on both sides of the state again in Summer 2004. These camps are supported through funds raised at the Asthma Walk. This year’s walk will be held October 11, 2003. For more information on asthma or asthma programs, contact the American Lung Association at (208) 345-5864 or log on at www.lungsusa.org. Log on at www.lungwalk.org. for more information on the Asthma Walk. 

I was able to attend a work session of the Board of Medicine, Respiratory Care Licensure Board and interested individuals to finalize those rules and regs. The meeting, which was essentially a committee meeting, was ably chaired by Steve Hippler, the attorney for the polysomnographers. The sleep community was also represented by Rita Jo Devlin and Diana Lincoln-Haye. Lande Lambert was the only RC Licensure Board member present. The Board of Medicine was represented by their attorney, Cathleen Morgan and Executive Director, Nancy Kerr. Jody Lester was there to represent the respiratory care community, which she has done brilliantly throughout this whole process.

Most of the work had been previously done in a similar session and our task was some fine-tuning of language and concepts. A major focus was terminology to assure that staff who are not permitted polysmonographic techs or licensed RCPs due to recent entry into the field (trainees) are sponsored by a PSG tech, RCP or physician and also are directly supervised by a permitted PSG tech during each shift worked. 

The only proposed rule that proved quite controversial was the inclusion of a subsection on sanctions to licensees and permitees, which defined sexual contact with former patients. Former patients are defined as those to whom the licensee or permitee delivered care within the last 12 months.  Mr. Hippler proposed wording that would cover any improper sexual contact for any period of time. His version did not include the one-year period where any sexual contact with a former patient would be considered improper and illegal as is the case with the wording of the subsection proposed by the Board of Medicine. Ms Morgan was adamant that the Board wanted this section, which is the same as a section in the physician’s licensure rules. After very lengthy debate, the meeting adjourned without agreement on Mr. Hippler’s proposed amendment.

 The changes to the Practice Act only permit the polysomnographer for “respiratory care related” duties. This is specifically spelled out to include noninvasive ventilatory assistance of a spontaneously breathing patient, oxygen administration and CPR.

Once the rules are passed into law, polysomnographers will pay an initial fee that will be greater than the recurring annual fee for subsequent years.  RCPs also did this in their first licensure year to cover “start up” costs for the program. The actual amounts of the initial and recurring fee are yet to be determined. Polysomnographers will have the same annual requirement for documented continuing education as RCPs (12 hours). Any RCP who also functions in the sleep arena can be licensed as both a Respiratory Therapist and Polysomnographic Technologist for a single fee and just 12 hours of CE annually.

After January 1, 2004, conditional permits will be available from the Board of Medicine.  When the rules are passed into law, the conditional permit will be transferred to a regular permit.

President Elect Nolan Bybee called the meeting to order.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Treasurer’s report: No report.  A budget for 2004 will be presented at the next meeting.

PACT: Con stated that we all need to keep writing our congressmen to support legislation for respiratory therapy reimbursement

Committee Reports:

• Membership:  A motion was made and passed to have the ISRC pay for lifetime AARC memberships for Connie Leavitt and Tom Gable.
• Delegates:  Renie and Nolan will attend the AARC yearly conference in Las Vegas in December.  There is a tradition to send monetary gifts with the delegates to go towards the AARC disaster relief fund and the International Fellowship fund.  The ISRC did not do this last year.  This decision was tabled until the next meeting.  The results of the resolutions that were presented for consideration are as follows:  61-03-01 carried, 36-03-02 defeated, 49-03-03 carried with an amendment, 44-03-04 carried, 44-03-05 carried, 65-03-06 carried.  If you wish to know more about these resolutions, please contact Renie.
• Newsletter:  No report
• Nominations/Elections:  The ISRC election results are as follows:  President elect Dana Hagestad, Vice president Jody Lester. Delegate Rob DeVinaspre, Director at large Lande Lambert.
• Bylaws:  As stated in the bylaws, a student ISRC member is to be picked by the board.  Jody Lester recommended Jeff Goldman.  He will be contacted to see if he would be willing to serve.

• Tobacco Coalition:  The coalition is in the process of deciding which of the member organizations is going to do what.
• International Fellow:  Idaho did get a Dr. from Russia.  A motion was made and passed to have the ISRC host a dinner during the Dr.’s visit.
• Fall Conference:  Great job Idaho Falls!!!

The next meeting will be at McCall.  Time and location to be announced.

Respectfully submitted,

Ramona Sailor
ISRC Secretary