The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is hosting the 2015 PH Professional Network (PHPN) Symposium, which began on Thursday, September 17 and will run until Saturday, September 19 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. The event seeks to highlight the importance of bringing together a community of PH advocates from different backgrounds working together for the well-being of patients of the disease, as well as sharing best practices on improving PH treatments.
Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) consists of a progressive and sustained increase in the pulmonary vascular resistance, which can cause right ventricular (RV) failure. Without treatment, the PH pathology is life threatening and the average survival rate is only 2.8 years after diagnosis. PH treatment is complex, and success rates vary depending on the initial causes of the disease. Patients typically rely on a multidisciplinary community of healthcare professionals to guide them through each treatment plan.
Speaking at the event will be Pam Kehoe, a woman who suffered for years with the disease after being diagnosed with bronchitis, asthma, COPD and a number of other conditions, finally learned she had chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) when her sister in law identified the symptoms. CTEPH is a common type of PH, and it is caused by the deposition of organized blood clots in the lungs. There is a surgery to treat CTEPH patients called pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) which consists of the removal of the clotted blood from the arteries, reducing or even removing the abnormal pressure in the lungs’ arteries.
Since the implementation of the PHPN’s PH Professional Network (PHPN) Symposium in 1999, the event has grown as a network for non-physician clinician members dedicated to improving cross-communication, professional development, research and education among PH healthcare professionals. Today, the PHPN is a community composed of more than 1,100 members that work together to improve the development of care and outcomes for PH patients and families.
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“PHPN is a diverse group of individuals involved in PH practice, including nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, social workers, dietitians and more,” said PHPN Chair Melisa Wilson, ARNP-ACNP-BC. “We recognize the importance of collaboration across many disciplines and work to provide support and targeted resources for all of those involved in PH patient care.”
The PHA recently received the Charity Navigator’s highest rating for fiscal accountability and transparency for the 12th consecutive year, placing it in the top half of one percent of all rated charities.
Additionally, during the PHPN conferences, attendees can earn up to 11 hours of continuing education credits through multidisciplinary educational sessions led by experts in the PH field. The PH community is very proactive and is already preparing next year’s initiatives to start putting together all of the funding necessary to support patient attendance.
To check out other initiatives from the PH community click here.