Mar 5th 2024

Respiratory therapists (RTs) play a vital role in hospitals, offering specialized expertise in the care of patients with respiratory disorders. Their importance stems from several critical functions they perform within the healthcare setting:

1. Management of Respiratory Illnesses

Respiratory therapists are experts in treating patients with a wide range of respiratory conditions, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). They provide care that can be life-saving for patients experiencing severe respiratory difficulties.

2. Administration of Respiratory Therapies

RTs are trained in administering various respiratory therapies to help patients breathe better. This includes delivering bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and other medications through nebulizers or inhalers, as well as administering oxygen therapy, ensuring that patients receive the correct dosage and method of administration to optimize their breathing.

3. Mechanical Ventilation Management

For patients who are unable to breathe on their own due to illness, surgery, or injury, respiratory therapists manage mechanical ventilators. They play a crucial role in setting up, monitoring, and adjusting ventilator settings to meet the patient's needs, ensuring the patient's oxygen needs are met without causing lung injury.

4. Airway Management

RTs are experts in maintaining open airways for patients. They perform endotracheal intubation, manage tracheostomies, and perform suctioning to clear secretions from the lungs. These skills are particularly vital in emergency situations and for patients in intensive care units.

5. Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Respiratory therapists are integral to pulmonary rehabilitation teams, helping patients improve their lung function, reduce symptoms, and improve their quality of life through exercise and education. They work with patients to develop and follow a personalized rehabilitation plan.

6. Diagnostic Testing

RTs conduct and assist in various diagnostic tests to evaluate the functioning of patients’ lungs. This includes pulmonary function tests (PFTs), which measure lung volume, capacity, and flow rates, helping to diagnose respiratory conditions and guide treatment decisions.

7. Education and Support

Educating patients and their families about respiratory conditions, treatment plans, and techniques for managing symptoms at home is another critical role of respiratory therapists. They provide instructions on using inhalers, nebulizers, and other respiratory devices correctly, as well as guidance on lifestyle changes to improve respiratory health.

8. Emergency and Critical Care

In emergency departments and intensive care units, RTs are part of the team that responds to respiratory emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, shock, or severe asthma attacks. They provide immediate respiratory interventions and support, often in life-threatening situations.

9. Infection Control and Prevention

Respiratory therapists play a role in preventing infections, especially in patients who are mechanically ventilated or have compromised lung function. They implement and adhere to strict infection control protocols to protect patients from pneumonia and other nosocomial infections.

10. Interdisciplinary Teamwork

RTs work closely with an interdisciplinary team, including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s specific respiratory needs.

The expertise and interventions provided by respiratory therapists are essential for the assessment, treatment, and management of patients with respiratory diseases, significantly contributing to patient recovery, chronic disease management, and overall hospital care quality. Their skills and knowledge are indispensable in settings ranging from general wards to highly specialized units like neonatal and adult ICUs.