Respiratory Care

Respiratory therapists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart, lung and sleep disorders.   They work with a wide variety of patients, from premature infants to the elderly. They provide services in many settings including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Many are also taking advantage of growing opportunities in diagnostic sleep labs, cardiac catheterization labs, and in-home health care. Individuals who graduate from the program are employed as clinicians, managers, educators and researchers.

http://healthtechnology.stonybrookmedicine.edu/programs/rc/welcome

HAT 210: Introduction to Respiratory Care

An introduction to the science of respiratory care.  Current trends in professional practice are discussed and students have the opportunity to observe clinical practice at a variety of affiliated health care facilities. This course is specifically designed for lower-division four year respiratory care majors.  Open to west campus students.

Clinical Observation

Respiratory Therapists work as physician extenders to evaluate, treat, and care for patients with lung and heart disorders.  They enjoy helping people out in their time of need and like working with the latest technologies in hospitals, sleep labs, rehabilitation centers, and doctor’s offices.  The respiratory care field is full of variety and the types of place and patients to work with are diverse.  The opportunities for advancement and the possibilities are endless joining the ranks of Respiratory Therapists.

Some of the diagnostic procedures that Respiratory Therapists perform include: obtaining and analyzing sputum and blood specimens to determine acid base balance and levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide; also measuring the capacity of a patient’s lungs to determine the level of impairment and studying disruptive sleep disorders. Some of the therapeutic procedures performed by respiratory therapists include: administration of supplemental oxygen, initiating and maintaining mechanical ventilation, monitoring and managing therapy that will help a patient recover lung function, administering medications in aerosol form and monitoring patient’s response to therapy, maintaining a patient’s artificial airway, and conducting smoking cessation programs. 

Besides the hospital, Respiratory Therapists can also be found in sleep laboratories helping to diagnose disorder like sleep apnea, in skilled nursing facilities and pulmonary rehabilitation programs helping older people breathe easier and get more out of life and in doctor’s offices conducting pulmonary function tests and providing patient education.  (School of Health Related Professions)

From my clinical observation at Stony Brook University Hospital, I have realized the broad range of specializations in the field of respiratory care.  Luckily along the observation, my group met some of the Respiratory Therapists and was able to experience a day in the life of a RT – he was all over the place, providing help everywhere around the hospital; from lab work to hands on diagnostics, you will never be doing the same daily routines and be involved throughout the entire complex surrounded by different types of staff and patients.  Respiratory care is a major for those who want to go out there and make a difference doing variety of work and caring for those patients with heart and lung diseases.  I love the fact that they are always busy and always needed; being a Respiratory Therapist means dedication, the ability to communicate with others and the ability to adapt to different environment and technologies.

The most memorable part of my observation was the new Children’s Hospital, neonatal/pediatrics section of the hospital.  I have never seen a premature baby up close.  The lives of these babies depended on Respiratory Therapists; so that they can mature properly and become a health living, breathing being.  This is when I realized I really wanted to care for these little newborns as a future Respiratory Therapist.  Information learned from HAT210 not only helped me decide on a possible specialty, but in my future endeavors I can apply it to educate and save people – save the future generation’s lives as a health care professional.

Works Cited

"Be an RT - Introduction." AARC. American Association for Respiratory Care. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://www.aarc.org/career/be_an_rt/>.

"Department of Primary Care | Respiratory Therapy Program." SHRP: Respiratory Therapy Program. School of Health Related Professions, 31 Jan. 2011. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://shrp.umdnj.edu/dept/primary_care/rspth/about.html>.

"Respiratory Care and Sleep Medicine." Advanceweb. Merion Matters. Web. 12 Apr. 2012. <http://respiratory-care-sleep-medicine.advanceweb.com/>.