We provide clinical and diagnostic expertise in both the in-patient and out-patient setting.
We are highly skilled health care professionals in the hospital health care team, providing clinical and diagnostic expertise in both the in-patient and out-patient setting.
The respiratory therapists working at BC Women's Hospital provide a broad spectrum of care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and on the inpatient/outpatient adult clinical care areas.
Our primary work includes:
- Facilitating invasive/ non-invasive mechanical ventilation
- Interpreting chest x-rays
- Assisting with airway maintenance (endotracheal/tracheostomy tubes)
- Procuring, analyzing and interpreting arterial/capillary blood samples
- Manipulating ventilation parameters based upon arterial/capillary blood gas results
- Members of code blue and trauma teams (Neonatal Resuscitaiton Program, Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications)
- Administering medications, oxygen therapy and other specialty gases
- Assisting with bronchoscopies
- Ensuring the functional operation of invasive and non-invasive ventilators meet manufacturer's specifics prior to patient application
- Consultants for new and innovating respiratory care technologies (jet ventilation, filtering of patient exhales gases)
The Home Tracheostomy Ventilation Program supports over 150 patients in communities across the province who have tracheostomies and/or home ventilation. These patients are seen in the Respiratory Clinic by respirologists, nurses and respiratory therapists for follow-up and ongoing care.
Respiratory therapists are trained as extracorporeal life support specialists (ECLS). ECLS specialists are the heart of the ECLS team and consist of respiratory therapists and critical care nurses. They are responsible for the front line management of the ECLS patient and are confident in making clinical decisions based upon their extensive knowledge base and skill set. Respiratory therapists who are trained in ECLS receive an internationally recognized certification.
