Shenandoah Memorial Hospital
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Shenandoah Memorial Hospital |
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Respiratory Care |
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Respiratory Care is an allied health specialty employed in the treatment, management, control, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with respiration. These functions are accomplished by therapeutic administration of oxygen, rehabilitation techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and maintenance of natural and artificial airways. Specific tests are performed to assist the physician to diagnose and facilitate the monitoring and treatment of patients. These tests include the measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures, flows, and the analysis of blood and respiratory gases. Respiratory Therapists Respiratory therapists are an integral part of a hospital’s health care team. Respiratory therapists work with physicians and nursing personnel in maintaining physiological homeostasis in the patient. The role of the respiratory therapist is to administer and assess the effectiveness of prescribed treatments, to evaluate the effects on other body systems, to evaluate the effects of non-pulmonary abnormalities on the cardiopulmonary function, and to relay this information to other members of the health care team. The respiratory therapist is equipped to serve as a consultant to the physician in the treatment and management of respiratory problems, and works with nurses and other team members in coordinating and implementing an overall patient care strategy. Shenandoah Medical Center has three registered respiratory therapists, one certified respiratory therapist, one registered polysomnographic technologist, and one polysomnographic technician. Services Aerosol Therapy Chest Physiotherapy Bronchodilator Therapy Oxygen Therapy Pulse Oximetry Suctioning Tube Care Continuous Ventilatory Care CPAP Therapy Emergency Resuscitation Patient Education Cardiac monitoring Arterial Blood Gases Capnogrpahy Pulmonary Function Testing Patient Assessment Polysomnography Electroencephalography |
