Rehabilitation SIG Meeting

Beyond the Ventilator: The Respiratory Therapist's Role in Early Mobility, Ventilator Liberation, and Functional Recovery in Burn Care

The American Burn Association's Rehabilitation Special Interest Group (SIG) invites you to join colleagues in exploring the importance and role of respiratory therapy. Burn patients often face respiratory complications, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and significant functional decline. As rehabilitation begins earlier in the ICU, respiratory therapists play an important role in supporting safe mobility, ventilator liberation, and recovery. This session will explore how RTs collaborate with physical therapists, occupational therapists, registered dietitians, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and physicians to integrate respiratory care with rehabilitation goals, overcome barriers to mobility, and improve patient outcomes. Through practical strategies and clinical examples, participants will gain insight into the RT's role in advancing functional recovery across the continuum of burn care.Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge or connect with peers in the field, this session provides a collaborative space for learning and professional development.

Meeting Speakers: 

• Matthew Curtis B.S., RRT, RCP, LSSYB, FAARC

• Respiratory Therapy Team Leader for Surgical Critical Care 

• The OSU Wexner Medical Center

Meeting Agenda:

• Overview of session objectives/Importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in burn rehabilitation

• Respiratory Challenges Impacting Mobility and Recovery 

• The RT's Role in Early Mobility 

• Ventilator Liberation and Functional Recovery 

• Case Studies and Program Development Strategies 

• Questions and Discussion 

Meeting Objectives:

• Describe the respiratory therapist's role in supporting early mobility and interdisciplinary rehabilitation efforts for critically ill burn patients. 

•  Identify opportunities to integrate ventilator liberation strategies with mobility and functional recovery goals across the continuum of burn care. 

•  Recognize practical approaches for improving collaboration among respiratory therapists, rehabilitation professionals, nurses, and providers to enhance patient outcomes and recovery trajectories. 

Who should attend: Any Allied Health Profession, Nursing, APP's, Healthcare students

This meeting is intended for ABA members only.

Please note: you must be registered for the meeting and will receive a zoom invite and URL link. If you do not receive that link upon registering, please get in touch with info@ameriburn.org.

SIG membership is required to view recordings. Joining a SIG is simple! Update your SIG subscriptions now in your ABA Member Account.