Respiratory care practitioners, including respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians, work to evaluate, treat and care for both in- and outpatients with breathing disorders. Respiratory care practitioners work with patients of all ages in all areas of the hospital and are qualified to perform intensive care, critical care and neonatal procedures. They serve an important role in the hospitals lifesaving response teams that answer patients’ emergencies.

Respiratory care practitioners perform procedures that are both diagnostic and therapeutic. They see patients with chronic lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, as well as heart attack or lung cancer patients, accident victims and premature infants.

Pulmonary Diagnostics
On order of a physician, patients are scheduled through the pulmonary diagnostics lab for pulmonary function testing. Specific testing techniques are employed in the pulmonary lab to assist in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of respiratory diseases. A respiratory care practitioner assists in the process for optimal testing results.

Tests performed in the pulmonary diagnostics lab include:

• pulmonary function tests with and without bronchodialators
• Methacholine Challenge – a test for reactive airway disease
• diffusing capacity
• Social Security disability testing
• home oxygen evaluations
• arterial blood gases
• industrial/occupational screenings.

Pulmonary Rehab Program
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is an educational exercise program for adults with chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis and more. The program’s goals are to improve an individual’s everyday lifestyle and avoid further hospitalization.

Under the instruction of respiratory care practitioners and other health care professionals, Phase II and Phase III offer an individualized, safe environment for people to learn how to control their disease and live more comfortably and independently.

In Phase II they will learn about:

• lung function
• breathing and relaxation
• medications
• nutrition
• saving energy and simplifying work in daily activities
• graded exercise training
• smoking cessation

Phase III focuses on:

• exercise endurance training
• respiratory assessment before, during and after exercise.

Most insurance policies cover the cost of Phase II. The participant is encouraged to bring a family member at no extra charge. Phase III is not covered by insurance. Physician referrals to either program are required.