It’s Respiratory Care Week! Thank You SGMH Respiratory Therapists!
At San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital it is Respiratory Care Week and we want to thank our tremendous SGMH Respiratory Therapists who are dedicated to our patient’s safety and health. They do so much for our hospital and we are extremely grateful for the hard work they do every day. When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters and if that happens our high-quality associates at San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital fight respiratory complications to get you breathing healthily again.
What is a respiratory therapist?
Respiratory therapists are specially trained healthcare professionals who help treat and restore function for patients with airway and breathing problems. They often assess and treat patients with the following conditions:
- Low oxygen levels
- Tracheostomy tubes (a special type of breathing tube for patients unable to breathe through their mouth and nose)
- Ventilators (machines that breathe for patients with certain conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, who are unable to breathe on their own)
- Chronic heart or lung problems that require breathing treatments and assistance
They may work in various settings in rehabilitation, including neurological (nervous system), cardiac (heart), and pulmonary (lungs) settings. Respiratory therapists may practice in a variety of settings, including the following:
- Hospitals
- Inpatient rehabilitation centers
- Home health settings
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
Respiratory therapists may have either an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in respiratory therapy, and many are either registered or certified in their specialty.
Topic Index – Respiratory Disorders
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)
Interstitial Lung Diseases / Pulmonary Fibrosis
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Lung Cancer
Smoking and Respiratory Diseases
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