Respiratory therapists key to breathing easier

Respiratory therapists key to breathing easier

            WILMINGTON – People who are lucky enough to take breathing for granted may have never even heard of a “respiratory therapist.” But for those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions, “RTs,” as they are called for short, are key to breathing easier.

            National Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 24-30, sponsored by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), is a great time for everyone to learn more about these vital health care professionals, at CMH Regional Health System/Clinton Memorial Hospital (CMH).

            “Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care settings, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and doctor’s offices to assist physicians in caring for their patients with pulmonary problems,” says Nikki Johnson, Respiratory Care manager at CMH.

            “Patients can visit the website www.yourlunghealth.org and see that CMH Respiratory Care received the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition award for a second consecutive year”, says James Burton, Critical Care director at CMH. 

            Criteria to be recognized is as follows: all respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential; respiratory therapists are available 24 hours; other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures is designed in writing; a doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

            Burton and Johnson say that quality respiratory care recognition means first rate respiratory care. As a respiratory patient you know you deserve the very best in respiratory care services. But how can you tell if that’s what you’re getting? The AARC is there to help. Hospitals and home care companies receiving the association’s Quality Respiratory Care Recognition designation meet strict safety and quality standards related to the provision of respiratory care services by qualified respiratory therapists, they say.

            To find CMH’s recognition, log onto www.yourlunghealth.org, click find care, quality respiratory care; quality respiratory care recognition, then choose the state. Respiratory therapists at CMH are committed to providing the very best in respiratory care.

WILMINGTON – People who are lucky enough to take breathing for granted may have never even heard of a “respiratory therapist.” But for those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, and other conditions, “RTs,” as they are called for short, are key to breathing easier.

            National Respiratory Care Week, Oct. 24-30, sponsored by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), is a great time for everyone to learn more about these vital health care professionals, at CMH Regional Health System/Clinton Memorial Hospital (CMH).

            “Respiratory therapists work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care settings, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and doctor’s offices to assist physicians in caring for their patients with pulmonary problems,” says Nikki Johnson, Respiratory Care manager at CMH.

            “Patients can visit the website www.yourlunghealth.org and see that CMH Respiratory Care received the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition award for a second consecutive year”, says James Burton, Critical Care director at CMH. 

            Criteria to be recognized is as follows: all respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential; respiratory therapists are available 24 hours; other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures is designed in writing; a doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

            Burton and Johnson say that quality respiratory care recognition means first rate respiratory care. As a respiratory patient you know you deserve the very best in respiratory care services. But how can you tell if that’s what you’re getting? The AARC is there to help. Hospitals and home care companies receiving the association’s Quality Respiratory Care Recognition designation meet strict safety and quality standards related to the provision of respiratory care services by qualified respiratory therapists, they say.

            To find CMH’s recognition, log onto www.yourlunghealth.org, click find care, quality respiratory care; quality respiratory care recognition, then choose the state. Respiratory therapists at CMH are committed to providing the very best in respiratory care.