Amy Burton, Respiratory Therapist, administers a breathing treatment to hospital patient, Cindy Dixon.
Respiratory Therapists all across the nation will be recognized for the important contributions they make to the nation’s health care system Oct. 25-31 as hospitals and other facilities celebrate National Respiratory Care Week. Scotland County Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Department is staffed by Tracy Simpson, CRT, RCP, Supervisor; Amy Burton, RRT; Goldie Shinn, RRT, RCP; and Teri Johnson, RRT (PRN).
Sponsored every year by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), Respiratory Care Week was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 and has been scheduled for the last full week in October to turn the spotlight on Respiratory Therapists and the work they do to bring compassionate care to those with breathing problems.
What does a Respiratory Therapist do? With all the knowledge RTs possess, it’s no wonder their days are so diverse. A day in the life of an RT might include:
· Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods.
· Interviewing patients and doing chest physical exams to determine what kind of therapy is best for their patient’s condition.
· Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on their professional evaluation of the patient.
· Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen and other gases.
· Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who can’t breathe normally on their own.
· Responding to Code Blue or other urgent calls for care.
· Educating patients and families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery.
As the key clinicians responsible for delivering hands on care to those with asthma, COPD, and other chronic and acute respiratory conditions, as well as critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation in the ICU, Respiratory Therapists work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to ensure patients receive safe and effective care. National Respiratory Care Week is the perfect time to thank them for the vital role they play on the health care team.
If you suffer from a chronic cough or breathing problem, please make an appointment with your primary care doctor and ask for a referral to the Scotland County Hospital Cardiopulmonary Department for further testing & treatment.