Our respiratory therapists are trained in administering care specifically for children who require acute or long-term respiratory support, such as oxygen therapy, breathing treatments or more advanced ventilation management techniques. They are key members of our healthcare teams, working closely with physicians and nurses in the management of patients with asthma, cardiopulmonary disease, neurological disorders or other conditions that might impair a child's ability to breathe.
Respiratory therapists are also are involved in the care of patients undergoing surgery who may require respiratory support and with those whose treatment puts them at risk for developing respiratory infections. Additionally, they work collaboratively with the speech therapy departments to help patients who have tracheotomies regain communication skills.
Our pediatric respiratory therapy services provide a full range of cardiopulmonary therapeutics for infants, children and adolescents. Departments are staffed 24 hours a day and services include:
- Mechanical ventilation
- Noninvasive monitoring
- Stat blood gas laboratory analysis
- Oxygen administration
- Aerosolized drug delivery
- Postural drainage/percussion and vibration
Our
pediatric
respiratory
therapy
provides
a
comprehensive
program
of
respiratory
care
service
to
both
inpatients
and
outpatients
with
known
or
suspected
pulmonary
disease
or
dysfunction.
All
services
are
provided
by
respiratory
care
practitioners.
Respiratory
care
is
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
physicians
in
diagnosing,
monitoring,
and
treating
patients.
These
tests
include
measuring
ventilatory
volumes,
pressures,
and
flows
and
analyzing
blood
and
respiratory
gases.
Inpatient Therapeutic Services
- Aerosol therapy
- Chest physiotherapy
- Bronchodilator therapy
- Oxygen therapy
- Suctioning
- Tube care
- Continuous ventilatory care
- Continuous positive airway pressure
- Emergency resuscitation code team
- Bronchoscopy set-up and assist
Inpatient Diagnostic Services
- Arterial puncture
- Aline blood draw
- Blood analysis
- Pulse oximetry
- Peak flow
- Patient assessment
- Spontaneous parameters
- Bedside baseline pulmonary function testing
Outpatient Therapeutic Services
- Aerosol therapy
- Patient education
Outpatient Diagnostic Services
- Spirometry
- Lung volumes
- Diffusing capacity
- Maximal pressures
- Methacholine challenge