MEDLINE Power Through Respiratory Peak Season User Guide

Power through peak season

A readiness guide for thriving through your busiest time

What’s inside

Since COVID, respiratory therapists have been nothing short of heroic, delivering life-saving “tripledemic” care that touches patients everywhere in hospitals and other settings.

You’ve improvised solutions in the face of “less”–less staff, less time to react to problems, even a lack of protective facemasks and gloves at some points. The learning curve has been fast and high, but each year you face the same question: As case counts rise for flu, RSV and COVID-19–will you be ready?

Elevate your peak season preparation with insights, tips and tools to help your department and team thrive–no matter what the season brings.

| What do you know? Test your peak season knowledge
| What is peak season readiness?
| 6 strategies to set your respiratory team up for success

• A data-driven approach
• Supply chain fundamentals
• Optimizing supply stock
• Products that drive efficiency and safety
• Educating and training staff
• Working with a clinical partner

| RT-recommended products
| CE courses to build RT knowledge
| At-a-glance: Medline-Hudson RCI product overview

Power through peak season: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

| Test your peak season knowledge: True or False

When it comes to peak season readiness, how much do you know? Take this true/false quiz to find out. Then check your results at the bottom of the page and find more insights on the next page.

| True| False
---|---|---
1. Product shortages and backorders are an inevitable respiratory peak season pain point.| |
2. Relying on CDC forecasting data is enough to inform peak season supply inventory planning.| |
3. Bagged inhalation water is among the most common peak season supply shortages.| |
4. The right respiratory devices can help boost staff efficiency and reduce errors.| |
5. Enrollment in a special supply chain security program (or similar offering) is necessary to ensure RTs get the supplies they need when they need them.| |
6. A flexible NIV mask helps reduce pressure injury risk more effectively than a traditional hard-shell mask. | |
7. An open oxygen mask can replace all other masks— simple, venturi, partial and non-rebreathers—and reduce CO2 rebreathing risk.| |
8. A high efficiency small volume nebulizer can deliver medication 70% faster than a traditional nebulizer. | |

Answers:

1. False
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True

Test your peak season knowledge: Answers

| How’d you do? Check your answers.

1. False | Product shortages and backorders are an inevitable respiratory peak season pain point.
Challenges abound, but a thoughtful, data-driven planning process boosts stability. Also look for a supplier partner that–offers a deep bench of product alternatives and controls every step from product manufacturing through delivery.

2. False | Relying on CDC forecasting data is enough to inform peak season supply inventory planning.
CDC is a good source, but you can leverage other data points including historical and current data from your own facility, community and state to identify hospital admission rates, lengths of stay and more.

3. True | Bagged inhalation water is among the most common peak season supply shortages.
To ensure an adequate supply of essentials, look for a supplier that manufactures domestically and can hold up to a 90-day reserve for you.

4. True | The right respiratory devices can help boost staff efficiency and reduce errors.
Product innovation in areas like masks, nebulizers, cannulas and manometers make it easier and safer for RTs to provide their best care.

5. False | Enrollment in a special supply chain security program (or similar offering) is necessary to ensure RTs get the supplies they need.
Supply chain reliability requires total control of every aspect of product manufacturing and distribution plus a deep product portfolio and inventory. When a supplier promises inventory reliability for only select products, it underscores a lack of total supply chain control and resilience –and an inability to effectively meet all customer needs, no matter what.

6. True | A flexible NIV mask helps reduce pressure injury risk more effectively than a traditional hard-shell mask.
Soft, lightweight silicone masks with pressure-absorbing technology outperform traditional hard shell masks offering less pressure on the face that can cause pressure injuries, greater comfort and a better seal with minimal peak leak.

7. True | An open oxygen mask can replace all other masks–simple, venturi, partial and non-rebreathers–and reduce C0 2 rebreathing risk.
With flow from 1-15 L/min at concentrations from 24­90% FiO2, Medline’s OxyMask allows RTs to use one mask for all acuities–with less risk. This may not be true for other open mask designs.

8. True | A high efficiency small volume nebulizer can deliver medication 70% faster than a traditional nebulizer.
Some small volume nebulizers offer better deposition than standard nebs, delivering an optimal respirable fraction in 3 minutes vs 10 minutes– speeding relief in less time.

Power through peak season: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

| What is peak season readiness?

Being ready for your most challenging season means you’re prepared in a few key ways:

You’re people ready: Your department may struggle with staffing challenges. Your RTs’ may have different experience or skill levels. But you’ve helped them build skills and have equipped your team with products that make it easier to deliver quality care as efficiently and safely as possible.

You’re supply ready: You may have faced unexpected product recalls, discontinuations or shortages in previous years and worry about how to prevent that. But you’ve done the right things to forecast your needs, vet your suppliers and plan for backups to ensure you have what you need.

| 6 strategies to set your respiratory team up for success

No one knows for sure what’s going to happen, but you’ve got more power, knowledge and resources than you think.

The following 6 key strategies will help you deliver efficient, safe, uninterrupted care throughout peak season.

1. Start with a data-driven approach

A data-driven approach to peak season is essential. Smart forecasting helps ensure you’ve anticipated the kind of cases you’ll receive–and have the products you need, where and when you need them, all season long.

Leveraging data will help you:

• Anticipate your caseload
• Streamline and standardize care for the best workflow and patient outcomes
• Prevent supply over- or under-purchasing so you have what you need–not too much or too little
• Contain supply and care costs
• Get supplies delivered reliably where and when you need them

Review your organization’s own peak season history and patient population data
Epidemiological and supply data from past years can unlock crucial insights for the upcoming flu/COVID/RSV season, highlighting gaps and opportunities to fine-tune your plan.

Consider data that will help you:

• predict the types and volume of cases you’ll be treating
• identify high-demand items and essentials you’ll need
• forecast demand more accurately
• decide which products you should keep in reserve

Look at CDC and international seasonal trends to help anticipate the season’s timing, magnitude and duration

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) domestic and global monitoring and early warning systems track and integrate past and current data on hospitalizations, emergency department visits, respiratory virus laboratory tests, genomic surveillance for tracking variants and wastewater testing–all to help predict what’s coming.

• CDC Clinical Care Quick Reference offers links to COVID-19 clinical care information and guidance including current vaccine information, treatment guidance, risk factors for different populations, post- and long COVID conditions, diagnosis of children and pregnant people, prevention and testing.

• CDC FluSight coordinates weekly forecasts of flu-related hospitalizations based on data reported to CDC’s NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network) to help you look forward and plan ahead.

• The COVID-19 Data Tracker provides the most recent data on COVID-19 infection rates, hospitalizations, emergency visits, vaccine distribution, coverage and effectiveness, and death rates based on geographic location.

Distilling data into insights can be daunting and time-consuming– ask your supplier for guidance. Focused on data monitoring year-round, a supplier with expertise in supply chain security will be adjusting inventory levels throughout the season to ensure you have the secure inventory you need when cases climb. Begin planning with your supplier in August and September to ensure inventory is secured before the season starts.

6 strategies for success: Partner with a supplier that provides supply chain security

2. Partner with a supplier that provides supply chain security for

every customer, every day

To ensure uninterrupted care throughout peak season you want to be sure you’ll have the respiratory supplies and equipment you need. Does your supplier have a track record for delivering reliably, regardless of what you order?

Product alternatives mitigate disruptions
Take a look at what’s happening in the industry. Have you experienced backorders on essentials like bagged inhalation water, open suction devices or bipap circuits? Been caught by surprise by discontinuations on go-to items like high flow cannulas and bipap nasal masks?

For better product security, choose supply partners that offer a breadth of product alternatives and equivalents to get you through.

Supply chain control means greater security
When a supplier owns every part of the supply chain–from sourcing to manufacturing to delivery–that control means greater product security for you. Align with an organization that demonstrates deep expertise and a proven track record of delivering supply continuity.

Prioritize domestic manufacturing to reduce risk
Making products closer to home matters. Partnering with a respiratory supplier operating North American manufacturing plants helps eliminate many global supply chain risks that can cause disruption.

For respiratory products and equipment that are critically needed– like non- invasive ventilator circuits and interfaces, high flow oxygen and medication delivery, humidification and airway management devices, and even sterile water–it’s important to know where the products you rely on come from so you know they’ll be available when and where you need them.

Lean into a prime vendor relationship for discounted pricing and service
Partnering with one supplier offers pricing and service benefits. A dedicated supply partner will conduct a utilization review to understand your unique challenges and help you prepare for the season.

A prime vendor supplier can also suggest more innovative ways to streamline workflows and make it easier for caregivers to do their jobs. For example, you might reduce SKUs and the need for oxygen mask changeouts by replacing multiple masks with one mask that all patient types can wear and that supports all acuities.

6 strategies for success: Optimize supply stock

3. Optimize supply stock to ensure uninterrupted care

You and your team have enough unknowns to deal with. When caseloads are rising, you don’t have time for surprises.

Serious disruptions during peak season create the kind of chaos you want to prevent. So how can you avoid product shortages?

Forecast accurately to avoid shortages and over-purchasing
Anticipating your needs can be tough. It’s easy to over- or underprepare in vital product areas.

Rely on a supplier partner to support you with a data-driven plan and a dedicated safety stockpile to ensure you have the products you need, when and where you need them.

Let’s say you want 60 cases of sterile water per month. Some suppliers can support you with a reserve of up to three months safety stock of your most essential supplies, stored in offsite distribution centers until you need it.

Contingency planning: Be prepared to pivot with substitutions
Be aware that companies in transition can impact you with the unexpected: discontinued products, recalls or product shortages. If you do experience a disruption, be ready to pivot quickly to different respiratory supplies, devices or suppliers. Identify and source equivalent alternatives before the season starts.

6 strategies for success: Use products that drive efficiency and safety

4. Use products that help drive efficiency, reduce errors and improve

safety

Choose innovative, intuitive products that support busy RTs and departments by helping streamline care, reduce errors and improve care quality and outcomes.

For example, proven NIV mask technology has outpaced hard shell mask performance. The newer masks absorb pressure from patient and circuit movement, helping to reduce facial pressure injuries while offering better mask seal and comfort.

An innovative open oxygen mask reduces CO2 rebreathing risk and claustrophobia and supports all patient acuities. One mask can now do the work of all, simplifying care and eliminating the need for changeouts. That saves time while also helping RTs and nurses provide safer care.

An advanced high-efficiency small volume nebulizer now delivers medication therapy with better deposition in 3 minutes vs 10, helping RTs reach more patients with high quality care.

New, softer materials for high flow and nasal cannulas improve patient comfort and compliance while wearing these devices.

6 strategies for success: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

5. Empower your team with education and training

RTs are passionate about learning and professional growth, but is it hard for you to find the time and resources to support training efforts? It is for many overstretched respiratory leaders.

Lean on clinical support tools to drive best practices aligned with AARC guidelines. Whether your RTs are new to the field and mastering peak season skills or experienced RTs who want to stay current on the latest evidence- based care, expect best practice guidance, education and training, CE courses, evidence-based training support, in-servicing and other courses and tools to keep your teams ready.

6. Choose a supplier that’s a clinical partner

Look for a partner that backs you with both a knowledgeable sales team and clinicians who have worked as RTs and know what it’s like to stand in your shoes.

They’ll work closely with you to find clinically-sound solutions to your problems–and be right there to recommend and troubleshoot when product substitutions are required. They can also expertly trial and in-service new, innovative products to make sure your team is empowered and ready to go when the season hits.

Power through peak season: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

| RT-recommended products to power through peak season

Being prepared means backing your RTs with innovative products that help them provide their best care. Following are four clinically differentiated options gaining popularity among RTs.

TurboMist ™ small volume nebulizer
Deliver medication up to 70% faster than a standard nebulizer with an optimal respirable fraction and better deposition. Reducing treatment times from 10 to just 3 minutes can save busy RTs several hours each day without sacrificing care quality.

SuperSoft and Comfort Flo high-flow nasal cannulas
Advanced material and comfort design help prevent medical device-related pressure injuries (MDRPIs). The disposable high-flow serves a range of patient oxygenation needs with rates from 1 lpm to 40 lpm.

OxyMask
Patented open mask design reduces CO2 rebreathing risk and flow related errors, simplifies mask selection and improves patient compliance and comfort. With flow from 1-15 L/min at concentrations from 24­90% FiO2 OxyMask can replace all traditional masks.

Flex NIV Mask
Patented technology absorbs pressure from patient movement and circuit repositioning, reducing pressure on the face that leads to skin breakdown and outperforming traditional hard shell masks. Comfortable, stable seal reduces peak leak.

Power through peak season: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

| Empower your team with education and training

Discover an array of courses and tools that address knowledge gaps, build skills and boost the confidence of everyone on your team.

CE courses help elevate respiratory care

Non-invasive Ventilated Patient Management
1.0 CE for Nurses and 1.0 CRCE for Respiratory Therapists

Airway Suctioning Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Review
1.0 CE for Nurses and 1.0 CRCE for Respiratory Therapists

Managing Artificial Airway Cuff Pressure
1.0 CE for Nurses and 1.0 CRCE for Respiratory Therapists

“ We know what RTs face every day and that guides us in creating practical CE courses aligned with current best practices to improve the care RTs provide.”
| James Donegan, RRT, Medline Clinical Solution Manager/Respiratory

Power through peak season: Tips and tools for thriving through your busiest time

| Power through peak season with Medline + Hudson RCI

Count on our proven track record of supply chain security and our comprehensive portfolio of core and innovative products.

Medication delivery

• MDI spacers and adapters
• Nebulizers
• Nebulizer compressors
• Valved tee adapter
• Volume incentive spirometers

Oxygen disposables

• Standard cannulas
• SuperSoft cannulas
• High-flow cannulas
• Standard oxygen masks
• Open oxygen masks
• Pre-filled bubble humidifiers
• Large volume nebulizers
• Oxygen tubing
• Aerosol tubing
• Pulse oximeters

Ventilation products

• Closed suction catheters
• Unit dose solutions
• Bacterial/viral filters
• Heat and moisture exchangers
• Filtered heat and moisture exchangers
• Resuscitation bags and accessories
• Cuff pressure manometer
• Suction canister with float lid
• Non-heated circuits
• Heated circuits
• Heated humidification
• Non-invasive masks and circuits
• Heated nasal high-flow
• Portable ventilator, circuits and accessories

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