Respiratory Therapists (RTs) can be found in hospital intensive care units ICU's, emergency rooms (ER), operating rooms (OR), delivery rooms, and medical flight teams. Airway and
ventilator management as well as clinical assessment including acid-base balance are the
main clinical roles provided by a respiratory therapist. Their roles also include vascular access for intravenous lines (IV), arterial line insertions for arterial blood gas (ABG), and
performing endotracheal intubation. They are an essential part of the Code Blue (Cardiac Arrest) team. Some RTs are specially trained in helping in the operating room (OR), high-risk
deliveries, Intra Aortic Balloon Pump management, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), chest tube and central line insertion, pulmonary function testing (PFT), and Clinical
Exercise Stress Testing. Other roles include assisting in tracheostomy and bronchoscopy procedures. RTs may also provide an important role in the homecare environment. The homecare RT role is different from the hospital RT role in that there are fewer technical resources available. A homecare RT must rely more on clinical assessments and experience-
related decision making when evaluating the patient's current condition. Because of the potential for professional isolation and with limited collaborative assistance available, homecare RTs would benefit from hospital-based clinical experience before engaging in
homecare work.
موضوع: ROLES AND RESPONSIBITIES<<<<< 
الجمعة مايو 02, 2008 7:51 am
