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.