Question

Briefly answer each question no more than 1-2 sentences each.

1. What is emphysema?
2. What is chronic bronchitis?
3. What is asthma?
4. What is Cystic Fibrosis?
5. Reflect on the COVID-19 situation that is going on right now in our country and our community. Imagine you are a licensed PTA right now. If you’re working for acute or subacute setting you are at higher risk, how would you handle this? If your working in outpatient or home health setting would you consider Telehealth? explain your answer.

Answer 1

1) ans)
    a) Emphysema: a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.

"smoking can lead to serious lung diseases such as emphysema"

   b) chronic bronchitis:Inflammation and swelling of the lining of the airways, leading to narrowing and obstruction generally resulting in daily cough. The inflammation stimulates production of mucus, which can cause further blockage of the airways. Obstruction of the airways, especially with mucus, increases the likelihood of bacterial lung infection. Chronic bronchitis is common in persons who have smoked for extended periods.

c) Asthma: Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

d) Cystic fibrosis : a hereditary disorder affecting the exocrine glands. It causes the production of abnormally thick mucus, leading to the blockage of the pancreatic ducts, intestines, and bronchi and often resulting in respiratory infection.

e) COVID-19 :Novel human coronavirus disease (COVID-19), now moving towards pandemic status, represents one of the great concerns of modern life – the rapid evolution of new human viruses that can be spread via the respiratory tract. As with other pathogens, physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and administrative staff can take tangible steps to help prevent the spread of disease that could harm our most vulnerable populations. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued guidelines for infection control and is calling on health care providers to activate infection control practices.

Physical therapists have a responsibility to review CDC guidance, to understand who is at highest risk and how to best reduce exposures, and to use their professional judgment in the best interests of their patients and clients and local communities," writes the APTA Board of Directors

The association has developed a template letter for you to use in advocating to your payers — private, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid (both fee for service and MCOs) — for coverage of telehealth furnished by PTs and PTAs to ensure that patients continue to have access to the rehabilitative care they need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Instructions are included at the top of the letter.

The use of telehealth can help keep providers and patients safe, but the current regulatory and payer landscape can be confusing. We've created guidance and links to resources that can help you decide whether telehealth is appropriate — or even a possibility.
          
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