Respiratory Therapy

What is Respiratory Therapist?

A Respiratory Therapist is a regulated health professional who monitors/assesses and treats individuals with breathing difficulties. Respiratory Therapists are experts in:

• Ventilation and airway management;
• Oxygen and aerosol therapy;
• Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome; and,
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

They provide care in hospitals, long term care and home care settings; they must be registered with the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario.

What services does a home care Respiratory Therapist provide?

Respiratory therapists provide many services to patients in their home including:

• Perform respiratory assessments;
• Perform pulse oximetry assessments;
• Initiate and titrate oxygen therapy;
• Manage airways;
• Manage invasive and non-invasive ventilation;
• Review and recommend medications;
• Evaluate therapy effectiveness;
• Develop care plans and review goals achievement;
• Educate and train clients, care givers, and family members on care routines;
• Offer their expertise as part of the community multidisciplinary care team;
• Address client or caregiver concerns; and,
• Assess equipment performance.