Respiratory therapists also known as the RTs have a big role in the medical health care industry. A respiratory therapist helps patients who have difficulty in breathing and with cardiovascular problems. The usual patients of RTs are infants born prematurely which don’t have fully developed lungs. They deal with adult patients suffering from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. In general, the RTs examine the patients through the advice of a physician and provide treatment.
Respiratory therapists employed in emergency rooms usually provide medical attention to cardiac arrest and drowned patients. Respiratory therapists employed in home health care usually setup ventilators along with other life-supporting equipments.
Respiratory therapists need at least an associate’s degree. There are also many respiratory therapists that have bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Many RTs have finished programs that concentrate particularly on respiratory therapist training. Students who want to get a career in respiratory therapy must complete classes including human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology along with other science-related courses. They may also be prepared to complete studies in therapeutic and diagnostic methods, medical terms, and patient assessment practices.
The main tasks of a respiratory therapist are to maintain patient charts with therapy information as well as inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipments. It is vital that they monitor the patient’s physiological reactions to the therapy or medicine to determine the efficiency and the status of the treatment by monitoring the vital signs, arterial blood gases and blood chemistry changes. Once they finished the monitoring of the patient, they must go and talk to the physician if adverse responses occur.
RTs must also determine the treatment type needs of the patient, method and time period of therapy according to the physicians’ orders. They must also set up and operate mechanical and therapeutic products following specified parameters of treatment. The presence of a respiratory therapist in a hospital will lighten the load being carried by the physician as well as improve the efficiency and quality of the health care services.