Respiratory Care

• Respiratory therapy services are provided by an on-site Registered Respiratory Therapist every day from 7:00am – 7:00pm. From 7:00pm to 7:00am, services are provided by an on-call therapist.
• Pulmonary services in the department include all therapies and testing related to diagnosis and management of lung disorders.

Specific services offered include:

• Bronchodilator Therapy - Indicated for any pulmonary condition where bronchoconstriction and/or secretion management may be a problem.
• Pulmonary Function Testing - FVC, SVC, MVV, and Flow Volume Loops are offered. This may be useful in the diagnosis of restrictive and constrictive airway disease.
• Arterial Blood Gas Analysis - Analysis of arterial blood for oxygenation, carbon dioxide, pH, base excess and saturation.
• Smoking Cessation Consultation - A dedicated program provided on an in-patient and out-patient basis, all patients are screened for tobacco use when admitted to our institution, and a therapist sees that patient for counseling within 24 hours. We work in conjunction with the NYS quit line 866-NY-QUITS (866-697-8487), www.nysmokefree.com. Classes are held on a regular basis for the community. They are provided with counseling and nicotine replacement if so desired, free of charge.
• Ventilator Management - Critically ill and postoperative patients that require airway management are seen in our Intensive Care Unit, and monitored continuously by either a Respiratory Therapist or a properly trained RN.
• Oxygen Therapy - Oxygen is administered according to hospital and department protocol, either by low flow or high flow devices.