The profession of Respiratory Therapy involves working in many areas of the hospital treating patients of all ages with heart and lung disorders.
Respiratory Therapists at St. Alexius Medical Center are either certified or registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care and serve as an integral part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Aspects of Respiratory Care (floor therapy) include the following:
1. Administration of aerosolized medication
bronchodilators
antiviral
antibiotics
Narcotics
corticosteriods
mucolytics
antiprotozoal
2. Bronchial Hygiene
postural drainage and percussion
endotracheal/nasotracheal suctioning
aerosol and humidity
flutter valve therapy
thAIRapy vest
3. Volume Expansion Therapy
Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing
Incentive Spirometry (IS) or (IH)
Deep breathing and cough
4. Oxygen Therapy
Nasal cannula
Aerosol
Oxygen masks
5. Diagnostics
electrocardiogram
pulmonary function test (Spirometry)
arterial blood gas puncture and analysis
oximetry
peak flows
modified pulmonary stress test
sputum induction
6. Patient and Family Education
7. Mechanical Ventilation
Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation (BiPap/CPAP)
Invasive Mechanical Ventilation
8. Transport
Intra hospital
Helipad