RUSH University: Respiratory Care

When I decided I wanted to be a respiratory therapist, I never imagined that I would be dealing with any psychological aspects. As I have learned more about the respiratory system and the patients that I will treat, I can see that I will deal with some psychological factors quite often. In respiratory therapy there are psychological factors that can affect a person’s ability to breath and their quality of breathing.

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to help people, from a Doctor to a Pediatrician, even an X-ray Technician. As I got older I realized my true calling was in Respiratory Therapy. The human body is such an incredible thing and I found myself wanting to learn more and more about it.

Respiratory Therapy is a health profession that specializes in Cardio Pulmonary functions and health. Respiratory therapists help with prevention, assessing patients, treatment, diagnostic evaluation, education, and care. They treat patients from all ages, from babies to the elderly. The requirements in becoming a Respiratory Therapist are taking Human Anatomy, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Mathematics at a high school or college level. To begin the Respiratory Therapy Program out of high school you have to have a C or better in Chemistry, Anatomy, Algebra 2 minimum, and English. If these courses were not taken in high school, they would need to be taken at the college level to complete the prerequisites to apply for

This study focuses on methods to confirm proper tube placement. Through a cross sectional study, the research concluded that over seventy eight percent of critical care health workers use multiple methods to confirm tube placement. Some of the more common methods include looking at the gastric aspirate’s pH, observing the patient for signs or respiratory distress, and capnography. Auscultation of the air bolus was not included in the study because it was deemed “unreliable”. However, a small separate study was done and about eighty eight percent of critical care health workers claimed they also used an air bolus auscultation as a method of confirming placement. So, what is the reasoning for health care workers to continue doing this if it is unreliable? It has been hypothesized that this method requires the least amount of supplies and the nurses can do it quickly and easily. This research study along with many others concludes that air bolus auscultation is not an accurate method because the sounds nurses are used to hearing that “confirm” proper tube placement in the gastrointestinal tract are the same as sounds heard in the lungs and other areas of the

When patients experience difficulty in breathing and need assistance, who would be there running to save them? Who’s got their back? Well, it’s none other than the mighty health care professionals who has the so-called Indian name: RUNS WITH AMBU BAG  or better known as respiratory therapists. It may sound funny but it’s true. These individuals are always ready when emergency situations arise.

The key concept underpinning the role of the anaesthetic nurse in an unanticipated difficult intubation as part of the multidisciplinary theatre team is essential; as a lead provider of compassionate anaesthetic care (Fynes et al, 2014), as a communicator, have the courage to advocate, be competent and committed (DOH, 2012). These are very important for enhancing patient anaesthetic care and improving patient safety (NPSA, 2010). And above, to improve the knowledge and skills by continuous training is vital in the event of a difficult intubation in adults, pregnant women and children (Brien and Conlon, 2013; Clark and Nolan, 2010). The incident confirms that to improve airway management, especially in the event of a difficult intubation planning, training and practising (such as in simulation centres) for the unanticipated difficult airway for the anaesthetist, anaesthetic nurse and theatre staff as a whole, is vital and it highlighted that our practice around managing the airway needs to be improved and constantly updated (Mellanby, Podmore and McNarry, 2014), and that is why I have applied to take part in the new airway simulation training

One of the most important things to maintain a trauma patients airway is ensuring that you have adequate help around (Stephens, 2011). This is important because there are many different tasks that must be delegated in maintaining this persons airway. Some of these processes include opening the airway, suctioning the airway, inserting the proper adjunct, and maintaining

I am a Respiratory Therapist completing my Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. I recently graduated in May with my Associates in Respiratory Care and passed both of my National Boards. I will be working at Mizzou's University Hospital in Columbia, MO starting June 12th, 2017. My end goal is to be able to be a Critical Care Flight Respiratory Therapist and then become a professor for a Respiratory Care program after gaining years of experience.

Mock Hospital simulation was the focus of the Clinical Nurse Educator Teaching project. The duration of the project span over a four-week period to meet the 22.5 hours required for the project. The simulation dates were determined in advanced for the Nursing Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing course. The preceptor and student determined dates for participating in the simulation and other deliverable activities to meet the requirements for the project. The activities to meet the project requirements were to participate in meetings to plan for the Mock Hospital simulation, to write learning objectives for the simulation, to develop an evaluation tool and debriefing questions, to participate in the Mock Hospital, and to lead debrief sessions after completion of the simulation.

(Weinberg, Auerbach, & Shah, 2009) This may prove especially important as the assessment and care of critically ill children is particularly stressful for providers. Debriefing after the simulation experience also provides a time for reflection. Concepts taught in lecture become more tangible as a result of their application during the simulation. Simulation has the potential to enhance pediatric nursing education, improve patient safety and provide additional experiences when clinical sites are limited. The student has an opportunity to build and practice a pediatric skill set. (Bultas, 2011)

Forty-nine states require licensing.In order to take the entry-level examination for certification, which is required by the National Board for Respiratory Care, respiratory students must get at least an associate's degree and a certificate of completion. Respiratory therapists are licensed in all states except Alaska; requirements vary in different states. Many colleges and universities, vocational–technical institutes, and the Armed Forces offer education and training programs. Most programs will award RT’s with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.All programs have clinical classes that allow therapists to earn credit and gain supervised experience treating patients. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, there are 381 associate programs throughout the country, 57 bachelor’s degree programs and three master’s programs(home) (business) (explore).

By entering the field of respiratory therapy, one is entering a growing field of opportunity. There are continually emergent job opportunities in this field whereas there is also a rise of growth in the technology and developments in the field such as medicines, techniques, and other aspects.

Simulator are a way to use programs that simulates or represents the actions that would be performed on a patient or other person in a real life situation Cardiac programs that could be

The American Association for Respiratory Care is a non-profit organization which provides numerous resources for registered respiratory therapists all over the United States. Membership through the AARC renders an abundance of incentives such as professional development, respiratory care education, social networking opportunities, continuing education programs and much more. The American Association for Respiratory Care truly believes in the cause of respiratory therapy and in the rights of their patients to receive competent respiratory care. Their advocacy team works with local, state and federal governments concerning public policies that affect their patients as well as their profession.

For years nurses have gained experience in the medical field through clinical rounds at hospitals and doctors offices. Learning has always taken place first through textbooks and then through personal experience during required clinical time. These methods have proven effective but include limitations to the amount of exposure a student can gain before entering the workforce. A new way of learning is on the rise with the use of High Fidelity Simulations (HFS) or the Sim Man. HFS is a computerized life size manikin that simulates real human responses to treatment. This new technology allows students to practice rare procedures or treat common diagnoses.