Respiratory Care Week is October 23rd-29th and during this week is a great time to learn about lung health and the importance of respiratory therapists. All over the U.S. there are many hardworking respiratory therapists working heavily to improve lung health and treat patients with chronic lung conditions. Keep reading to find out more about what respiratory therapists do and why they are so important for lung health and respiratory conditions.
What do respiratory therapists do?
Respiratory therapists treat a number of conditions relating to the lungs and breathing. Respiratory therapists serve as care managers for patients, and they work closely with those patients from the beginning to the end of their treatment. Respiratory therapists usually create close physician-patient relationships with the patient as well as connecting with the families. A respiratory therapist will determine what the patient needs in terms of treatment and will administer the treatment themselves. A few examples of treatments they might administer include oxygen therapy, airway management, pulmonary function testing, and antibiotic treatment.
What conditions do respiratory therapists treat?
- COPD
- Emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Lung Cancer
- Chest Trauma
Why are respiratory therapists important?
Respiratory therapists have always been important because of the work they do; everyone in healthcare is important and plays an essential role within the healthcare system. The demand for respiratory therapists has increased in recent years because of the COIVD-19 pandemic. As the number of patients needing respiratory care increases, we need more physicians and respiratory therapists to treat those patients. Respiratory therapists help a number of patients with many different diseases at many different ages and the healthcare system needs them now more than ever.
What can you do to celebrate respiratory care week?
- Visit the American Association for Respiratory Care website to see what events are going on and find resources about respiratory care.
- Share on social media to raise awareness.
- Attend a health screening and visit with a respiratory therapist.
Overall respiratory therapists play an important role in the healthcare system and learning more about them will help you understand what they do, who they treat, and why they are essential for your community’s health. If you are interested in learning more about respiratory care, contact us or visit our website!