Capacity strain in the context of Respiratory Care may be defined as excessive demands on resources or abilities. Provider capacity strain is associated with increased mortality, longer lengths of stay, decreased adherence to protocols and worsened outcomes. Given current Respiratory Care staffing challenges and complex workflows, understanding elements of capacity strain and implementing methods to compensate for strain reduce service variability and support value-based efforts.

Presenter:  Charlotte Reikofski, MSPH, MPA, RRT

Moderator:  David M. Wheeler M Ed, RRT-NPS, FAARC

This presentation will provide an overview of the AARCs Safe and Effective Staffing Guide. The presenter will review time standards, value efficiency, prioritization plans, and common barriers that may need to be tackled to implement these practices in a respiratory care department. Practical tips will be reviewed to understand the benefits of implementing specific sections so leaders can focus on high value, high impact modifications to optimize operational bandwidth. In light of the national shortage of RTs, the SESG is the gold standard in ensuring safe and effective care is provided to patients, while RTs are supported and empowered.

Presenter:  Katlyn Burr, MSM-HCA, RRT, RRT-NPS, AE-C

Moderator:  Garry Kauffman RRT, FAARC, MPA, FACHE