Respiratory Therapy

Patients in need of respiratory therapy are often those suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS, and other lung or lung-related conditions. Premature infants and accident victims often need the care of respiratory therapists as well.

Respiratory therapists are uniquely trained to treat conditions of the cardiopulmonary system and perform both diagnostic and therapeutic therapies or tests to include:

Measuring the capacity of a patient's lungs to determine if there is impaired function Operating and maintaining highly sophisticated medical equipment to administer oxygen or to assist the patient with breathing Using mechanical ventilation for treating patients who cannot breathe on their own Administering medications in aerosol form to alleviate breathing problems and to help prevent respiratory infections

Monitoring equipment and patient response to therapy Conducting rehabilitation activities to help patients who suffer from chronic lung problems Maintaining artificial airways and conduct smoking cessation programs for hospital patients who want to kick the tobacco habit. Monitoring patients in cardiac and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.