Respiratory Care Services

For most people, breathing is second nature. But for those who suffer from breathing problems caused by injury or illnesses such as Asthma, Emphysema and Bronchitis, each breath can be a major accomplishment. Baptist Regional Medical Center's Cardiopulmonary Department provides inpatient and outpatient Respiratory Care Services to help diagnose and treat breathing disorders to help you breath easier. Staffed around the clock by Registered and Certified Respiratory Therapists, the department provides a range of services including:

Pulmonary Function Lab

Flow Volume Loop
This basic test assesses lung function with a device called a spirometer. The spirometer measures the volume of air in the lungs and patient's ability to move air in and out. It can be used to help find the cause of common symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath.

Pre and Post Test
This type of testing can be used to evaluate symptoms such as exercise-induced asthma or shortness of breath.

Lung Volumes
Absolute lung volumes measure how much air the lungs can hold. Patients who have too much air in their lungs may experience shortness of breath.

Diffusion Studies
Diffusion studies show how fast or slow the oxygen moves from the lungs into the bloodstream where the body can use it. These studies can help diagnose interstitial lung disease and emphysema.

Arterial Blood Gases

Arterial blood gas analysis measures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases in the blood. Arterial blood is usually taken from the wrist.

Mechanical Ventilation

Non Invasive Ventilation
CPAP - Delivers air to the lungs with a slight positive pressure during inhalation and exhalation, allowing patients to breathe more air without having to do any more work. The constant pressure also helps keep the airways open and prevents them from collapsing at night, causing sleep apnea.

Instructions to Patients
Must be cooperative and be able to achieve a proper mask fit.

Additional Information
The most common complication of Non-Invasive Ventilation is abrasion of the nose. Application of wound-care dressing appears to eliminate this problem.

Bi PAP
This mode offers two different levels of air pressure: increased pressure during inhalation and decreased pressure during exhalation.

Instructions to Patient
Patients should refrain from eating 1-2 hours prior to the application of the Bi PAP system.

Additional Information
The most common complication of Non-Invasive Ventilation is abrasion of the nose. Application of wound-care dressing appears to eliminate this problem.

Invasive Ventilation
This type of mechanical ventilation generally requires intubation or tracheostomy. Mechanical ventilation refers to the use of life-support technology to perform the work of breathing for patients who are unable to do so on their own, and the majority of critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, require a period of this treatment. New born infants in the Level 2 Nursery may also require mechanical ventilation. The use of prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with nosocomial pneumonia, cardiac-associated morbidity, and death.

Instructions to Patient
Patients must maintain stable vital signs and must be hemodynamically stable throughout weaning process.

Additional Information
A mechanical ventilation protocol was developed for those mechanically ventilated patients who are at least 16 years of age or older, in order to wean the patient from the ventilator as soon as possible. This protocol helps decrease pneumonia rates associated with mechanical ventilation.

Other Services and Therapies

Medical Gas Therapy
This therapy involves giving the body oxygen to help ease breathing.

Instructions to Patient
DO NOT SMOKE while using oxygen. Do not store oxygen near any heat sources or open flames. Do not change the oxygen flow rate on your own - this can lead to serious side-effects. Never use more than 50 feet of oxygen tubing.

Additional Information
Oxygen is a safe gas as long as it is used properly. Contrary to what most people believe, oxygen will not explode. However, oxygen does support combustion.

Humidity and Aerosol Therapy
This therapy delivers medication to the lungs through a fine mist.

Instructions to Patient
You will place a mouthpiece in between your teeth, seal your lips around it, and breath as instructed by the therapist. DO NOT breathe through your nose or breathe fast.

Additional Information
The most common type of medication used is Albuterol. This medication relaxes the breathing tubes so that they become larger which makes breathing easier and coughing up secretions more effective. Treatments last approximately 10 minutes.

Chest Physiotherapy
This therapy loosens mucous in the lung and allows patients to cough productively.

Instructions to Patient
The patient must be able to tolerate various positions with the head down. CPT is to be done prior to meals or no sooner than one hour following meals, to prevent vomiting.

Additional Information
Chest Physiotherapy is also known as "chest physical therapy" or "postural drainage and percussion".

Respiratory Care Departmental Facts

Hours of Operation
The Respiratory Care Department services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Staffing
All Respiratory staff are registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). All staff is required to complete an annual competency evaluation attesting to their clinical skills in respiratory care. We are dedicated to excellent patient care and satisfaction, by maintaining high quality standards in the most cost effective and efficient manner possible.