From the 2023 HVPA National Conference
Michael Wong JD (Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety), Gene Gantt RRT, FAARC (Eventa)
The Enhanced Respiratory Care program is based on standards published by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), which achieved liberation rates of 65% and earned national recognition of excellence from the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST). Implemented in 2002 in Tennessee as part of TennCare’s plan to improve enhanced respiratory care quality, this program saw resource utilization rates double from an average of $350 to $700 per day.
A committee composed of the following members looked at the TennCare program to develop Standards of Care:
Thomas M. Fuhrman, MD, MMSc, FCCP Chief of Anesthesia, Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System – Tampa Bay, Florida
Clyde Heflin MD, FACCP – Pulmonologist – Nashville, Tennessee
Pam Clayton RN, LNHA – VP Quality, Regulatory Affairs at GA Health Care Association
Carrie Ermshar MBA, LNHA – Senior Care Executive Consultant, Houston, Texas
William Beal RRT, Massachusetts Board of Respiratory Care – Norwell, Massachusetts
Lisa Zaenger RRT, VP of Staffing at PEL/VIP – Oak Lawn, Illinois
Zachary Gantt RRT, FAARC, President and CEO Encore HealthCare – Livingston, Tennessee
This Committee developed the Enhanced Respiratory Care Standards of Accreditation for Long-Term Ventilator Facilities, which have been endorsed by the AARC and are anticipated to be endorsed by the Respiratory Compromise Institute, which is composed of these organizations:
