|
Respiratory Care Department
The Respiratory Care department at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center
offers a highly skilled team of respiratory care practitioners both in the
hospital setting and for outpatient services and tests. These highly motivated
individuals assist physicians in the diagnosis, treatment and promotion of
the well being of patients with respiratory and associated disorders. This
includes patients with chronic lung problems, such as asthma, bronchitis and
emphysema, as well as heart attack and accident victims, people with cystic
fibrosis, lung cancer or AIDS.
Respiratory
care practitioners work in all areas of the hospital including the operating
room, nursery, critical care areas
and the emergency department seeing a wide variety of patients from newborn
premature infants to the elderly. They provide oxygen therapy, monitor and
assess different modes of treatment for lung conditions, and teach individuals
how to effectively use medications to reduce breathlessness and/or how to
take control of their asthma. They also monitor and maintain special equipment
used
to assess heart and lung function, provide emergency services if someone
stops breathing, as well as set-up, monitor and adjust life support equipment
for
patients.
|