Happy Tuesday!  

In Today’s Edition:

• APP Leader Dr. Sharon Pappas shares leadership insight

• PAs are proven crucial to NY healthcare in an interview with Maria Patricia Cuartas, PA-C, MBA, PMP, FACHE, ACHIP

• As wildfires spread, air quality declines and business booms for Midwest and Northeast Providers

• Look out for our vulnerable peeps, the dangers of wildfire smoke are real, so is the severity of respiratory distress

• For future APPs: We highlight the top notch and unique programs at The University of Pittsburgh

• Clinical Conundrums: Let’s take a breather to refresh our knowledge on emergency care for asthmatics with a case-based exercise

🩺 APP Trending News

Featuring Some Fearless Leaders this Week:

Sharon Pappas shares leadership insight

Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, is the chief nurse executive at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, and the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) shares her leadership insight in this awesome podcast.

PAs are proven crucial to NY healthcare

Physician Assistants (PAs) in New York were granted increased autonomy during the COVID-19 pandemic through an executive order. This allowed PAs to practice without traditional physician supervision and be flexible in their roles to meet the critical healthcare needs during the crisis. However, with the expiration of the executive order, there are concerns about the potential loss of access to care for patients, particularly in underserved areas, and the bill aims to remove the tethering of supervision for experienced PAs to address staffing shortages and attract more people to the profession. We hope you watch this outstanding interview with by Maria Patricia Cuartas, PA-C, MBA, PMP, FACHE, ACHIP from New York State Society of PAs educating people about PA practice.

⚙️ The More You Know

‘Twas a Smokey Week Shared by Our Canadian Neighbors:

As wildfires spread, air quality declines and business booms for Midwest and Northeast providers

Becker's Hospital Review reported that healthcare providers in the Midwest and Northeast observed an increase in patients suffering from respiratory issues caused by poor air quality due to Canadian wildfires. Around 75 million Americans were affected by air quality alerts as hundreds of wildfires burned in Canada. New York City experienced a significant decline in air quality, becoming the most polluted city globally, while parts of the Midwest, including Missouri and Nebraska, also saw air quality deterioration.

Look out for our vulnerable peeps, the dangers of wildfire smoke are real

If you haven't heard, wildfire smoke from Canada has engulfed the Northeast, exposing millions of Americans to hazardous levels of particulate matter. Inhaling these tiny particles, especially PM2.5, can lead to asthma, weakened immune responses, increased risk of respiratory illnesses, strokes, heart attacks, and even cancer over time. Unsurprisingly, our vulnerable populations, meaning extremes of age (infants, elderly), and people with pre-existing lung diseases, heart conditions, are particularly vulnerable, and precautions such as staying indoors, using masks, and using air filters are recommended.

💡Inspiration for Aspirations

📈Future APPs

Last week we highlighted Dipu Patel, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C as the vice chair for Innovation in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Let’s highlight the excellent programs available there for our aspiring nurses, PAs, NPs, and Advanced Practice Doctors.

Interested in RN, MSN, or DNP programs?

The School of Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh is widely recognized as one of the best nursing programs in Pennsylvania and the nation by reputable sources like "U.S. News & World Report," the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the college ranking specialty website "College Choice." Their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and DNP online programs are also highly ranked. Established in 1939 to address the need for medical staff during military actions, the school has since become a National Institute of Nursing Research and a leading recipient of NIH-funded nursing research. The nursing students at Pitt have access to modern facilities such as Victoria Hall, which includes classrooms, labs, and a simulation lab with advanced manikins. Moreover, they have valuable learning opportunities in top-notch healthcare facilities and maintain international research and educational partnerships with various countries.

Interested in becoming a PA or Doctorate of PA studies?

Unique to the profession, the Department of Physician Assistant Studies offers both a residential and hybrid program (PAS-Hybrid). WHAT?! YES! The comprehensive training programs combine traditional lectures with hands-on learning, case-based activities, and skills labs. Students have access to exceptional clinical placements, including elective rotations, in various medical and clinical settings through a partnership with UPMC, a renowned academic medical center. Upon completion of the two-year program, graduates are prepared to take the NCCPA exam and work as physician assistants, practicing medicine with collaborating healthcare teams, and advocating for patient well-being.

Additionally, the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers a one-year doctoral program designed specifically for practicing PAs. The program focuses on expanding knowledge in areas such as implementation, practice-based learning, and improvement science while empowering graduates to lead and make a meaningful impact in the dynamic healthcare landscape.

🧪Clinical Conundrums: Because We Love a Challenge!

Poor Air Quality?! Let’s Take a Breather to Refresh our Knowledge on Emergency Care for Asthmatics

Case Scenario: A 13-year-old girl is brought to urgent care by her parent due to acute-onset wheezing and shortness of breath. The patient is out of school and has been playing outside despite warnings for poor air quality due to wildfires. An hour prior she suddenly started feeling short of breath. Her past medical history is significant for asthma, and she has normally had relief after using an albuterol inhaler. However, the inhaler has been ineffective during the current episode. Temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 101/min, respirations are 22/min, blood pressure is 132/84 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. Physical examination reveals accessory muscle use while breathing. Diffuse expiratory wheezes are heard bilaterally on chest auscultation. She is initiated on a continuous albuterol neb (10mg/h), and you re-evaluate in 10 minutes.

Let’s take a poll! Full answer and explanation about treatment next week!

A Favorite resource: Osmosis.org, (from which our case is derived) has so much more to offer than YouTube videos. Check them out for a full run-down on asthma! Next week, we will discuss additional resources and break down the case clinically.

🔎ICYMI

Don’t Miss Out on Last Week’s Edition: (AR)e You Seeing This

• Mergers are Happening Across the US…Are You Getting a New Badge?

• Vizient Clinical Team Realizes the Value that APPs (PAs, NPs) add to Modern Healthcare. (We Already Knew)

• The Stay Stands! The DOJ Squashes an Attempt to Halt Preventive Care

• USPSTF Changes Breast Screening Recommendations

• Lung Cancer is a Rising Threat to Nonsmoking Asian American Females

• United Healthcare Policy Changes

• Meet Our Inspiration for the Week, Dr. Patel! She’s a wealth of knowledge as the Vice Chair for Innovation. Beam Us UP!

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