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Medtrade Show Director Talks Respiratory Education
Respiratory Management caught up with Joe Randall, senior vice president, Nielsen Business Media, to find out about the educational offerings that will take centerstage at Medtrade Spring. Here's what he had to say:
RM: What is the focus of this year's respiratory educational offerings at Medtrade Spring?
Joe Randall: The focus is to provide respiratory companies and their staff members with the tools they need to prosper in today's environment. There is so much uncertainty due to competitive bidding, oxygen rental caps and transfer of ownership, and the educational advisory committee felt the Medtrade Spring educational conference should take a holistic approach to ensuring attendees received real-life information from the industry's leading experts.
RM: When you were coming up with respiratory topics for Medtrade Spring, what were your considerations and how have you met them?
Randall: We looked at issues respiratory providers were facing in terms of billing, reimbursement, changing delivery models and the need for streamlined operations. The need for clinically balanced protocols is a concern in the industry as providers look to contain costs. So, we wanted to address this topic as well. Likewise, the number of Americans with lung disease continues to increase, so it makes sense to provide education on not only providing the right equipment and right care to patients, but also seeking ways to educate and partner with patients and referral sources.
RM: What are the most exciting topics for respiratory therapists?
Randall: The sessions that focus on new ways of doing business, whether that is home sleep testing or new oxygen delivery products certainly will drive interest for respiratory care providers.
RM: Do you have any new speakers on board?
Randall: Yes, the following are speaking on respiratory issues for the first time: Juan Knutson, CRT, RPSGT, ResMed, is presenting Treating Your Cardiac Patients with PAP Therapy; and Hank Kayyali, president, and Sarah Weimer, product manager, Sleep Diagnostics, CleveMed, are presenting Sleep Apnea Future: Continuum of Care.
RM: What types of legislative/reimbursement sessions regarding respiratory, such as oxygen, are offered?
Randall: There are sessions on Medicare reimbursement changes, how to successfully appeal denials, how to use ABNs effectively and proper billing strategies. Also, the American Association for Homecare's Washington Update and the session John Gallagher, vice president of government relations for The VGM Group, will present will address current legislative issues facing providers of respiratory products and services.
RM: What's on tap for sleep?
Randall: We have several sessions that are dedicated solely to sleep-disordered breathing. Some of the topics that will be covered include reimbursement essentials, marketing strategies, new referral opportunities, patient education, home-based testing and the need for focusing on the continuum of care when providing sleep-disordered breathing products and services.
RM: Why should respiratory providers take advantage of Medtrade Spring educational seminars?
Randall: Attending the educational seminars in conjunction with visiting exhibitors in the Expo is a valuable combination. Attendees can receive top-notch education that can be readily implemented and then seek out the latest technology and manufacturer support programs that are offered by Medtrade Spring exhibitors. The opportunity to network with providers from other markets is also a benefit the program offers. Often, listening to other attendees' questions and hearing the responses from the experts provides new insight to common challenges.
