Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy

About Respiratory Therapy

Respiratory Therapy is best explained as the assessment and management of patients with both acute and chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary and related systems. Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are healthcare professionals, specialized in cardiopulmonary sciences, whose clinical knowledge and skills are utilized to provide safe, high-quality patient care. They possess expert knowledge and clinical acumen in the use of all medical devices and therapeutic techniques used in the Respiratory Care areas of Adult/ Pediatric and/ or Neonatal patient population.

Sub specialties under Respiratory Therapy

  • Adult Intensive Respiratory Care
  • Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care
  • Emergency Medical Care
  • Pulmonary Outpatient Departments
  • Pulmonary Function Diagnostics
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation
  • Sleep Medicine

General Scope of Practice

Respiratory Therapists demonstrate advanced level professional skills relevant to patient assessment, disease identification and evaluation, and administration of diagnostic, interventional and therapeutic Respiratory Care. They also exhibit the knowledge and skills to participate in education of the patient, family and public. Respiratory Therapists provide unit based specialty leadership and direction in the performance of advanced clinical procedures and interventions, be it from emergency department to medical or surgical intensive care unit to wards and rehabilitation centers.

Scope of Practice in Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory Therapists play pivotal role in Respiratory Medicine departments, when it comes to diagnostic and therapeutic prescriptions. They are instrumental in performing different types of Pulmonary Function Test, Sleep study, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Patient Education and in providing assistance to the Physicians during various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Oxygen therapy and Devices

Respiratory Therapy professionals are well versed with the knowledge and skills of how to assess, monitor and trouble shoot patients receiving oxygen and humidification therapy not only in the hospital but also in the home care and other out of the hospital facilities. They select the right devices and for the right patients. Some of the devices include nasal cannula, face masks, tracheostomy mask and oxygen concentrators.

Inhaled Medication and Devices

Respiratory Therapists are proficient in counselling the patients and care givers regarding inhaled medication and delivery devices, pre use checklists and post use care. Their essential knowledge about pharmacodynamics, aerosol production and delivery systems marks them as exemplary in the effective management of the indicated patients. Some of the devices include metered dose inhalers, dry powdered inhalers and nebulizers.

Bronchial hygiene

Respiratory therapist plan, deliver and train the patients in; bronchopulmonary drainage, breathing exercises, monitoring physiological responses to therapy etc. They are proficient enough to train the patients in devices like Vest therapy, Acapella, Incentive Spirometry, Cough assist devices etc.

Home Ventilation- CPAP and BIPAP

Respiratory Therapists are responsible for home care directed services intended for chronically impaired pulmonary patients, family and home health care providers. This includes education of patients, family and home health care providers on equipment like home ventilation modes like CPAP and BIPAP therapy. They are also involved in discharge planning and revisits of home care patients.

Tracheostomy Care

The role of Respiratory Therapists are vital in the long term tracheostomy care plan for certain patients, in the hospital setup, which includes the initial planning, selection of the tube, assisting the procedure, post procedural stabilization, oral hygiene, infection control practices, wound care and decannulation. They are also responsible for educating the patient’s home caregivers and family, regarding various aspects of tracheostomy care including trach cleaning, suctioning, tube stabilization etc.

Rehabilitation

Respiratory Therapists provide multidisciplinary and pulmonary rehabilitation for individuals suffering from chronic pulmonary diseases in sub-acute and long-term care settings. Their approach to individual patient care through education, exercise, and psychosocial interventions results in improvement in patient’s life style and activities of daily living.

Sleep Study

Snoring, associated absent breathing during sleep and death during sleep is a serious problem. This is identified by a test called sleep study. Respiratory Therapists play an important role in conducting sleep study, CPAP trials and CPAP training for the patients. This includes patient’s data collection including detailed patient history and also involves obtaining vital signs, such as the pulse, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Patients in a sleep lab are also connected to oxygen sensors to record the level of oxygen in their blood. During testing, the respiratory therapist will ensure that oxygen levels don’t drop low, and if necessary, they provides the patients with supplementary oxygen or a special breathing machine called a CPAP for the patient. Routine follow-up visits to Respiratory Therapists may help to maintain improved adherence to the treatment plan.

Pulmonary Function Tests

Respiratory therapists who work in the pulmonary function laboratory are the key persons in making the right diagnosis by performing various pulmonary function tests like spirometry, DLCO, six minute walk test, Bronchial provocation tests etc. different types of pulmonary diseases like Asthma, COPD etc. The respiratory therapists, in collaboration with the medical team, participate in patient assessments, make appropriate clinical decisions and modify the care according to evidence based clinical protocols.

Blood Gas Analysis

Blood Gas Analysis is considered to be one of the accurate tests to assess the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the patient’s blood, and it reflects the function of respiratory and related systems. Respiratory Therapists are experts in performing arterial puncture and interpreting the reports for the Physicians. Their assessment, observation, knowledge, and skill combined with an understanding of ABG results and required changes in treatment strategies often are the keys for a better patient outcome.

DO’s and DON’Ts

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

The key to living with asthma successfully is to keep it under control. Limit contact with asthma triggers in your environment, monitor your condition with a peak flow meter, and follow your treatment plan strictly.

Work on reducing asthma triggers. A first step is to stop smoking and protect yourself from second-hand smoke in your home and in public places.

It is possible to be active and stay healthy when you’re living with asthma. In fact, many medal-winning Olympic athletes have asthma. Exercise strengthens your respiratory muscles, helps maintain weight. Exercises that are less likely to trigger asthma symptoms include swimming, walking, hiking, and leisurely biking. Sports that have short bursts of activity are also less likely to set off symptoms. Examples include baseball, football, and sprinting.

You may have to pace yourself at times or make some adjustments here or there, such as avoiding outdoor sports in the early morning, when pollen counts are at their highest (assuming pollen is one of your triggers).

Stress can be a trigger for asthma attacks. With that in mind, commit to implementing stress-reduction strategies into your life, such as breathing exercises, meditation, and other tactics.

Stay mindful of your emotional state. People with asthma may be more likely to develop anxiety or depression. If you begin to feel down or depressed, talk with your doctor. Help is available.

Asthma presents a number of day-to-day challenges that need to be overcome. Take steps to make it easier for you to commit to these.

Simply checking and recording peak flows once per day could make a big difference in your asthma control. A low number can indicate you may be headed toward an asthma attack.

Learn how to use your medications correctly. Find out all you can about your asthma medicine, including how and when to take it, potential side effects, and how it controls your asthma. If you use a metered dose inhaler, learn how to use it properly.

Talk to your doctor about adjusting your routine if compliance is becoming an issue or you are experiencing side effects.

Not having your rescue inhaler immediately available can be dangerous. Because you have no idea when you might need it, consider keeping a spare in your backpack, purse, desk, or any place Even people who take their asthma medicine exactly as prescribed and who work to avoid triggers can have the occasional asthma attack. It’s essential to have an asthma action plan in place for those times. This will include symptoms to look for, actions to take, danger signs, avoiding triggers, medication instructions, and when to call your doctor or go to the emergency room.

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