April 2019
Upcoming Home Oxygen Tester’s Workshops                (via Telehealth) 
 

· Thursday, May 30, 2019, 1000-1200 

· Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 1000-1200 

· Thursday, November 21, 2019, 1430-1630
 
Click for workshop posters and additional information

Do you have questions about a client’s oxygen coverage?

Do you need more SAIL Oxygen and Palliative Oxygen Application Forms?

Call or email SAIL: 1-888-787-8996   DPEB@health.gov.sk.ca

NOTE: Oxygen providers are encouraged to use the above email to contact SAIL.  Responses to emails that are sent directly to individual staff may be delayed if that individual is not available. 


Questions about oxygen testing, funding criteria, or troubleshooting?

Call or email Jaimie Peters, RN, CRE: 1-306-667-3012   jaimie.peters@sk.lung.ca
 
Home Oxygen Tester Information
Interview with Saskatoon Home Oxygen Tester –
Erica Pettinger, RRT

How long have you been working as a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and conducting home oxygen testing?

I’ve been a RRT for 6 years and conducting home oxygen testing for 4 years.

What is your favourite part about oxygen testing?

My favourite part about oxygen testing is the ability to meet different people to gain a better perspective of the challenges people face in the community.

What is your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge I face is testing patients who are borderline. It is difficult telling these patients that despite their diagnosis or symptoms they don’t meet the criteria to have oxygen funded. Quite often this negatively effects their quality of life.

Tips for other oxygen testers?  

Know the funding guidelines inside and out and complete your testing thoroughly so that there is no room for error. An error in testing can have a negative effect on your patient whether it means they need repeat testing or there is a gap in their funding.

Tips for oxygen users?  Any education tidbits you suggest?

Become familiar with what is covered under your oxygen program. Know that different modalities such as portable concentrators and pulse dose regulators are funded options later on through the program. Be aware that although they are funded they may not be appropriate for all users and testing is required to determine appropriateness. Keep track of cylinder usage to prevent overages and keep in contact with your oxygen provider.
Rural Nocturnal Oximetry Shipping

Shipping of nocturnal oximeters will mostly be done by Canada Post due to a favourable non-profit discount.  Please let Jaimie Peters at The Lung Association, Saskatchewan, know if there are any concerns with Canada Post deliveries vs Purolator in your area.
Email Jaimie
How do I test someone with a high flow rate or who is very anxious about removing their oxygen for testing?

There are clients who require oxygen flows of greater than 6 lpm, and should not have their oxygen removed for a room air test.  Others may not feel well without their oxygen.  If you need to test someone like this, please use the following method.

 1. Leave the oxygen on at the prescribed level.

2. Obtain a 5 minute oximeter strip.

3. Leave the oximeter attached.

4. Turn down the oxygen slowly until the SpO2 falls to 87%. (90% with cor pulmonale)

5. Obtain a 2 minute oximeter strip at 87% or less.

6. Return oxygen flow to prescribed level.
Testing reminders

· ALL oxygen testing requires an order from a physician or nurse practitioner.

· Continuous (resting) oxygen testing should be completed before any exertional testing.

· Both exertional and nocturnal testing requires the client to be STABLE.  This is defined as a client who has not had a hospitalization for a cardiorespiratory event, or had an exacerbation, or change of treatment in the past 30 days. 

· Exertional and nocturnal testing is NOT required if someone qualifies for continuous oxygen. But should be completed if client does not qualify for continuous oxygen.

· Always include your NAME, SIGNATURE, TESTER NUMBER, & DATE OF TEST with your results as this information must be provided on ALL oxygen testing results.
Home Oxygen Therapy for Children: An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline

Home oxygen therapy is often required in children with chronic respiratory conditions. This document provides an evidence-based clinical practice guideline on the implementation, monitoring, and discontinuation of home oxygen therapy for pediatrics.

Read the full article
Can STOP-Bang and Pulse Oximetry Detect and Exclude Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder. Most patients with sleep apnea are, however, undiagnosed, and there is a need for simple screening tools. The authors investigate whether STOP-Bang and oxygen desaturation index can identify subjects with OSA.
Read the abstract
 
Home Oxygen Companies

It is the clients decision to choose the oxygen company that will provide the best service and pricing for their needs. There are five oxygen suppliers in Saskatchewan.
 
Lung Association News
Inspired Breathing Conference
May 24 & 25, 2019 - Saskatoon Inn
 

The Lung Association, Saskatchewan is pleased to host this inaugural conference which will bring together patient voices, family physicians, respiratory specialists, allied respiratory health care professionals, and respiratory educators to learn together and to network with one another. With its mix of plenary sessions, keynote speakers and participative workshops presented by experts and key opinion leaders in their respective fields of specialty, this professional education conference includes something for everyone. 

This agenda has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Saskatchewan Chapter for up to 8.25 Mainpro+ group learning credits. This conference will also serve as continuing education hours (8.25) for many professional health care portfolios.

Early Bird Rates Available Until May 1.
 
Learn more
 
Lung Association, Saskatchewan
Online Patient Support Groups

The Lung Association, Saskatchewan is pleased to support many online patient support groups. Please share these with your patients and colleagues.
Lung Cancer

For those who are living with lung cancer, and their families and caregivers; who have survived lung cancer; or who have lost a loved one from lung cancer.
Join now
Lung Transplant

For those people living with lung disease and their family andcaregivers, and whose treatment plan has or will involve a lung transplant.
Join now
Pulmonary Fibrosis

For those people living with pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung disease and their family and caregivers.
Join now
Sleep Apnea

For those people living with sleep apnea and their family and caregivers.

Join now
Spirometry Certification is now available in Canada through CACPT
 

Spirometry Certification is now available in Canada through CACPT (Canadian Association of Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists), and The Lung Association, Saskatchewan's RESPTREC Spirometry course is the approved pre-requisite program for those eligible to challenge this certification exam.

This certification is intended to improve the quality of Spirometry testing not only for those performing Spirometry Testing in a hospital setting, but in any other facility such as doctors’ offices, family health teams, and research labs.  Certification is offered to eligible allied health professionals: RPNs, RNs, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, or those approved by the Education Committee of Canadian Association of Cardiopulmonary Technologists (CACPT). You must also be employed in a facility where Spirometry testing is routinely performed and must meet Spirometry Testing Experience guidelines.

For more information about the criteria for this certification, exam registration and testing guidelines, visit CACPT’s website:
 
CACPT Website
 
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The Lung Association

Questions about your lungs?

Call our helpline: 1-888-566-5864
or email us at info@sk.lung.ca.
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