Respiratory Care Week is the time to celebrate RTs and the invaluable service that they provide. Like many healthcare professions, respiratory therapists – or RTs – are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the respiratory therapist profession is growing much faster than the national average, projecting a 23% increase in RTs between 2016 and 2026. RTs provide an important healthcare service by offering respiratory care for patients and helping patients improve respiratory health. Our RT’s are all Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT). MANA has some of the best respiratory therapists in Northwest Arkansas!
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists deal with disease, infections, and viruses that affect the pulmonary system (lungs and respiratory tract). A respiratory therapist assesses patients and provides information regarding lung and breathing disorders through various tests needed for the physician to diagnose and treat patients effectively. They also recommend treatment options for acute and chronic pulmonary problems, and administer breathing treatments. A respiratory therapist helps patients with disorders such as pneumonia, COPD, asthma, emphysema, and lung cancer.
RTs may treat infants with congenital respiratory problems, elderly adults with chronic lung diseases, and everyone in between. Respiratory therapists work in many different settings including hospitals, urgent care clinics, home health, physician offices, and rehabilitation clinics.
In addition to interviewing, examining, and treating patients, RTs offer education and counseling for patients about lung disease and respiratory conditions. A respiratory therapist works with patients to minimize their risk for breathing problems and improve their recovery. This may include developing a strategy to help a patient quit smoking, or teaching a patient healthy lifestyle choices and proper medication use. All of which can help improve respiratory health and prevent diseases. The RT’s role of educator and patient advocate has played a significant role in reducing the hospital readmission rate throughout the country.
Respiratory therapists in Northwest Arkansas
MANA’s Pulmonary Diagnostics lab provides comprehensive respiratory care, including pulmonary function testing (PFT), oxygen assessment, as well as a CLIA certified arterial blood gas lab. Our diagnostic lab is located at Fayetteville Diagnostic Clinic. Talk to your primary care physician if you’re interested in pulmonary diagnostic testing. Your doctor can schedule your appointment with the respiratory therapists in the Pulmonary Diagnostic lab by calling 479-684-3900.