In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the last week in October as National Respiratory Care Week. Since then, we have been highlighting the importance of respiratory therapists and how much they help individuals with breathing difficulties.
What Do Respiratory Therapists Do?
A respiratory therapist is trained to help people with lung diseases and disorders. They are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat patients who have difficulty breathing. Their jobs are very versatile because they work with people of all ages. Respiratory therapists work with people who need emergency respiratory care after accidents, heart attacks or strokes, but typically, certified respiratory therapists (CRTs) tend to work with non-critical patients in respiratory departments.
Respiratory therapists must be able to adapt quickly because they work in different environments every day. They may work in emergency rooms, intensive care units, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, or sleep centers. Some respiratory therapists specialize in working with infants and babies, or with seniors. CRTs work alongside their patients doing their evaluations and work closely with doctors, however, they do not diagnose or create treatment plans.
Why Might You Need a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapists handle a variety of breathing and airway problems. If you suffer from one or more of these conditions, you may need to see a respiratory therapist.
- COPD
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Sleep Apnea
- Babies born prematurely so their lungs were not able to fully develop
While there are many more breathing problems, these are a common variety of the ones you may suffer from.
Showing Support for Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Care Week gives us all an opportunity to show support and thank respiratory therapists for their dedication and hard work. These talented healthcare professionals work tirelessly to help their patients breathe easier and live a healthier, happier life. We hope we were able to bring awareness to all the incredible respiratory therapists out there, this week is for YOU!