Welcome to the Respiratory Therapy Department

The Cardiopulmonary Services Department at Ashley County Medical Center is staffed with skilled respiratory therapists who are all ACLS, PALS, NRP and BLS certified. The staff is trained to work with inpatients, outpatients, critical care and emergency situations.

Respiratory therapists are members of the health care team that provide respiratory care for patients with heart and lung disorders. Respiratory therapists perform intensive care, critical care, and neonatal procedures. They also are typically a vital part of the hospital’s lifesaving Code Blue team that handles patient emergencies.

Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic procedures to identify or monitor respiratory problems, and they help treat those problems.

Diagnostic techniques include obtaining and analyzing blood samples. The therapist takes blood samples and analyzes them to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases. The therapist also might measure the capacity of a patient’s lungs to determine if there is impaired function.

Treatment responsibilities for a respiratory therapist include operating various types of equipment to administer oxygen or to assist with breathing. The therapist also administers medication to help alleviate breathing problems and prevent respiratory infections.

RT
                                                          Kathy Childs and Jennifer Martin                                                       

Our Department:

  • 24 hour department
  • Bronchodilator therapy
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Non-invasive ( CPAP/ BiPAP ) and invasive ( mechanical ) ventilation management
  • Arterial blood gas analysis
  • Trach care and trach weaning
  • Pulmonary function testing lab ( DLCO/ Lung volumes )
  • Graded cardiac exercise stress test and nuclear testing
  • Holter monitoring set-up ( 24 hour heart monitor )
  • Event monitor set-up ( 21 day heart monitor )
  • Electrocardiograms ( EKGs )
  • Electrocephalograms ( EEGs )
  • Pulse Oximetry Study
EEG Example               EKG Example
                     EEG Strip Example                                                          EKG Strip Example