Respiratory therapy involves assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management, and rehabilitation of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.
Respiratory therapy may include treating diseases, infections, or viruses of the cardiopulmonary system, such as lung cancer, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
The aims of this service are to:
- Maintain or reduce symptoms
- Improve functional performance
- Increase patient, carer and family education to promote self-management
- Reduce the risk of exacerbations
- Help minimize the impact of their condition & maximize the quality of life
- Reduce the use of unplanned care, including emergency admissions or re-admissions
What we do?
Respiratory Therapists (RT) are health care professionals whose responsibilities include patient assessment, disease management, diagnostic evaluation, management, education, rehabilitation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. The scope of practice includes the application of technology and the use of evidence-based protocols. RTs works together with the other member so the healthcare team.
The practice of respiratory care encompasses activities in diagnostic evaluation, therapy, and education of the patient and family.
Diagnostic activities include but are not limited to:
- Analyzing blood samples to determine levels of oxygen and other gases
- Assessing lung capacity to determine impairment
- Analyzing chest x-rays and sputum specimens
- Assessing vital signs
- Performing tests and studies related to the cardiopulmonary system (e.g., examinations, stress tests, etc.)
- Performing studies related to the cardiopulmonary system
Therapy includes but is not limited to the application and monitoring of:
- Medical gases and environmental control systems
- Managing life support mechanical ventilation systems
- Administering aerosol-based medications
- Monitoring equipment related to cardiopulmonary therapy
- Artificial airway care
- Bronchopulmonary hygiene and Chest physiotherapy
- Administering pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures
- Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Hemodynamic cardiovascular support
Counseling
The focus of patient and family education activities is to promote knowledge and understanding of the disease process, medical therapy and self-help. It is to promote cardiopulmonary wellness. They may also counsel patients on topics such as smoking cessation and disease prevention.
Along with having an extensive knowledge of the cardiopulmonary system, respiratory therapists are experts in the machines and devices used for various respiratory care treatments. This would involve managing patients on ventilators and artificial airway devices, and assessing the blood-oxygen level of patients.
Who can benefit from Respiratory Therapy?
Respiratory Therapists are involved in the care of patients suffering from conditions such as:
- Asthma
- COPD
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pneumonia
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Traumas
- Strokes
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
What are the different services we have?
Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing
- Pulmonary Function testing studies- how much air the lungs can handle as well as how fast air moves in and out of the lungs.
- Arterial blood gas (ABG) testing determines the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood as well as the acidity of the blood.
- Oxygen Saturation, 6-minute walk test
Patient Therapy
- Patient therapies include aerosol treatments, metered dose inhalers, chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry, oxygen administration/therapy, CPAP and BiPAP mask therapy.
Respiratory disease education and counseling, Smoking Cessation
- Asthma, COPD, Metered Dose Inhaler with spacer, dry powder inhaler, peak flow meter instruction and other related patient education materials.
Pulmonary Function Laboratory – Spirometry
Sleep Study which provides overnight and day sleep testing, home sleep testing services, day nap testing (MSLT’s), mask fitting
