RHS’ Respiratory Care Dept., Cardiopulmonary Services
Wed, 02/01/2017 - 1:00pm
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By Sara Stromseth-Troy TPD Staff
CRESCO - Regional Health Services announces its new Respiratory Care Department and Cardiopulmonary Services.
Its mission: ‘To provide exceptional patient care in the field of Cardiopulmonary Services in an efficient, professional as well as cost conscientious manner in an effort to enhance overall outcomes of our patients from admission to discharge in regards to quality care.’
Services include:
RT Evaluation: Anyone with a cardiac or pulmonary diagnosis that would benefit from a respiratory evaluation; COPD, CHF, asthma, PE, shortness of breath, pneumonia, smokers, etc., or any patients having respiratory or oxygenation issues that a patient would benefit from their services.
Sleep Evaluation: Obesity, fatigue, snoring, uncontrolled hypertension, desaturations at night, Positive Stop Bang questionnaire or admission.
Cardiac Evaluation: Ectopy/Arrythmia, Near Syncopal Episode, dizziness, palpitations.
Pre-op Evaluation: Patients with any of the above co-morbidities requiring surgery.
Department Manager Certified Respiratory Therapist and Department Manager Rebecca Gardner and Registered Respiratory Therapist Miranda Schnitzler sat down with The Cresco Times Plain Dealer and discussed the new department:
“We’ve just started, and our goal is to provide a well-rounded therapy team to any patient who comes in,” Gardner said. “We want to support any current programs here and add our expertise into the patients’ healthcare plan and quality of care.”
She continued, “We care for COPD patients, congestive heart failure patients, those with asthma, pneumonia, smokers, and anyone with respiratory or oxygen issues. We offer an at-home sleep test, which is exciting for this hospital to have and to do. We do some holter monitoring with a Zio patch, a 14-day test that gives a clear, accurate picture of heart activity.”
Inpatient services include, Gardner said, “a wide variety of modalities we can do with patients: Nebulizer treatments, EZ PAP therapy to make sure medication is reaching all areas of the lung, and a tool we are excited to bring here called an in-check dial, where any patient who is on an inhaler can check to make sure they have enough inspiratory flow to properly receive their medication.”
“We offer a full pulmonary function test. We have a new machine that offers pulmonary rehab, 36 sessions of education, breathing techniques and muscle strengthening with qualifying diagnosis," she said.
Gardner said the department hopes to become involved with the Cresco community in asthma education and smoking cessation education.
As the respiratory care service begins, Gardner is pleased with the response from the community and region.
“We haven’t had a slow day since we started; everyone has been very welcoming,” she said. “It’s been nice to be needed. Everybody has been gracious and welcoming and very happy to have us. The feeling here is uplifting and driven.”
She added, “We’re really excited to be here, feel blessed to fill a need. We are able to provide the tools to
help people feel better, so you know that when you are getting sick, you can make a clinic visit rather than an ER visit. Our goal is to give outstanding patient care.”
Chief Nursing Officer and RN Carol Kerian-Masters said, “We are lucky to have them help support our patients who have respiratory needs, and it enhances what we already offer our patients and gives us added options for outpatients.”
Bev Fitzgerald of Cresco offered a patient testimony for the care she received in pulmonary services:
“I was overwhelmed by the professional care that I received in all aspects of my stay,” Fitzgerald said. “I started in ER, then I had pneumonia, then skilled care. I was dismissed, but
within a week I came in the emergency room again with bronchitis. I went home and then had a follow-up appointment and physical therapy connected with it to clear up my lungs,” she said.
“No matter what I do, it will be through Regional Health Services,” Fitzgerald said. "It is such a secure feeling to know that the care I need is within reach, and that I don’t have to travel. After you are here awhile, you build relationships with people. I’m going to learn the physical therapy aspects of getting well,” she said.
To contact the Pulmonary Services Department at Regional Health Services, call 563-547-6692 Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.