AARC members worldwide will come together to celebrate their profession through events and activities for National Respiratory Care Week (RC Week), Oct. 22 – 28, 2017. These events help educate their community and colleagues about what they do and the vital value respiratory therapists deliver each day to patients.
“Respiratory therapists are an asset to any medical team,” said Thomas Kallstrom, AARC executive director/CEO. “Their unique skills and training, paired with genuine compassion for patient care, provide invaluable services to the overall patient experience.”
The role of a respiratory therapist is to restore and improve lung health to patients. RC Week is the time for these individuals to tell their story and educate the community. AARC members continually plan a variety of events and activities, such as health fairs, to promote respiratory care. For example, the Arkansas Society for Respiratory Care, a state chapter in the AARC, received a proclamation from their governor, formally recognizing RC Week. On Wednesday, Oct. 4, members met with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to discuss RC Week and the impact respiratory care professionals make in the healthcare system.
Amanda Richter, MHA, RRT-NPS, RRT-ACCS, RPFT, FACHE, and her department at the Metroplex Health System in Killeen, TX are continuing to build on the success of their past RC Week events, such as a community open house. New this year, the team planned a family picnic for staff and families to kick off the week. They have also created a mini ‘escape room’ game set to a respiratory theme at their facility.
Anyone interested in promoting RC Week is encouraged to tag posts and messages with #RCWEEK17. Visit www.aarc.org/rc-week-promote for more ideas and information.
