Overview
The Respiratory Care Department conducts diagnostic pulmonary function studies, and provides treatment, management, control, and care of patients with respiratory deficiencies or abnormalities. While asthma sufferers account for the largest majority of the patients requiring specialized respiratory therapy, many patients suffer from other forms of acute and chronic respiratory failure. Respiratory Care plays a vital role in the treatment of virtually every hospitalized patient. At any given time, the Department's respiratory care practitioners (RCPs) can be involved in the care of 75% of the patients in the Hospital.

Scope and Responsibilities
The primary role of the RCP is to administer oxygen and medications to assist a patient who has breathing difficulties, but their responsibilities extend beyond simply administering oxygen. Our highly skilled RCPs also set-up and monitor ventilators for patients who are unable to breathe without assistance. One RCP is dedicated to the Emergency Department to treat patients who arrive with conditions requiring breathing assistance. In addition to providing care and treatment for medical, surgical, and critical care patients, specially trained RCPs address the needs of premature infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They are vital members of the Neonatal Intensive Care Team, involved in the delivery of high-risk infants who often require breathing assistance when their lungs have not reached full development.

Patient Services
The Respiratory Care Department provides the following services:

• Medical gas administration (excluding anesthesia)
  
  
• Aerosol and humidity therapy
  
  
• Spirometry screening
  
  
• Medication administration
  
  
• Mechanical ventilator support
  
  
• Pulmonary exercises
  
  
• Bronchopulmonary hygiene
  
  
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  
  
• Maintenance of natural and artificial airways
  
  
• Collection and analysis of arterial blood gas specimens
  
  
• Pulmonary function studies
  
  
• Pneumograms
  
  
• Equipment procurement and patient instruction

Support Services
Our professional staff helps patients to become partners in their own respiratory care by providing education whenever possible. RCPs readily answer questions regarding diagnosis and treatment, and provide information, literature, and advice regarding prevention and/or management of chronic conditions such as asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Outpatient Services
In addition to caring for hospitalized patients, the Respiratory Care Department conducts diagnostic testing, care, and treatment for outpatients who are referred to the Hospital by their physician. You may schedule an appointment for the respiratory services ordered by your physician by calling (909) 920-4925 anytime weekdays.