Celebrate Respiratory Care Week 2026 and the dedication of respiratory therapists with Medtronic’s live, CRCE-accredited education series. This year’s theme, “Excellence in Every Breath,” reflects our continued commitment to advancing clinical knowledge and supporting patient care.
This year, we also celebrate 80 years of Puritan Bennett™ innovation in ventilation — from the first Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilator introduced at Los Angeles County Hospital in 19461 to five generations of advanced ventilators supporting clinicians and patients around the world.
Medtronic Clinical Specialists and other experts in the field will lead engaging educational sessions on a range of ventilation and respiratory care topics. Each session is AARC-reviewed and approved for 1 CRCE credit.
Join us as we recognize respiratory therapists, celebrate a legacy of ventilation innovation, and continue advancing respiratory care through education.
Monday, October 26
When every breath counts: ventilating the difficult asthma patient (option 1)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Recognize the pathophysiology and clinical features of status asthmaticus
- Discuss evidence-based strategies for ventilating patients with status asthmaticus
From risk recognition to clinical action: airway technologies supporting VAE prevention
1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
• Understanding VAE definitions, criteria, and why ventilator days matter
• Evidence-based strategies and technologies that reduce VAE risk
When every breath counts: ventilating the difficult asthma patient (option 2)
4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Recognize the pathophysiology and clinical features of status asthmaticus
- Discuss evidence-based strategies for ventilating patients with status asthmaticus
Tuesday, October 27
The patient whisperer 2.0: mastering APRV (option 1)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Understand the why: Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) principles and physiology
- Know the when: patient selection and indications
The patient whisperer 2.0: mastering APRV (option 2)
4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Understand the why: Airway Pressure Release Ventilation (APRV) principles and physiology
- Know the when: patient selection and indications
Wednesday, October 28
The ventilator is talking: are we listening? (option 1)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Explore what ventilator graphics and waveforms reveal
- Recognize Patient ventilator synchrony and asynchrony patterns
Managing tracheostomy emergencies
1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Decrease trach-phobia
- Learn to evaluate and manage various common or life-threatening tracheostomy complications
The ventilator is talking: are we listening? (option 2)
4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Explore what ventilator graphics and waveforms reveal
- Recognize Patient ventilator synchrony and asynchrony patterns
Thursday, October 29
Great respiratory debate: high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) vs NIV understanding the evidence behind the choice (option 1)
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Evaluate current evidence and clinical guidelines
- Apply evidence-based decision-making to select and optimize HFNC or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) based on patient assessment
Great respiratory debate: high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) vs NIV understanding the evidence behind the choice (option 2)
4:00-5:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
- Evaluate current evidence and clinical guidelines
- Apply evidence-based decision-making to select and optimize HFNC or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) based on patient assessment
Addressing health equity in pulse oximetry monitoring
5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT
Topics covered:
• Understand clinical evidence on pulse oximetry performance disparities in different racial groups
• Explore mitigation strategies and advances in equitable monitoring technology
References:
1Morris, M. J. (2006). Acute respiratory distress syndrome in combat casualties: Military medicine and advances in mechanical ventilation. Military Medicine, 171(11), 1039-1044.
US-RE-2600160.