Respiratory Care Week is October 22-28 and highlights the vital role respiratory therapists play in patient care, particularly for those with chronic lung diseases.

A respiratory therapist helps patients who are having trouble breathing and work under the direction of doctors to treat premature infants whose lungs are not fully developed and elderly people with lung disease. They give patients oxygen, manage ventilators, and administer drugs to the lungs. They assist with diagnosing lung or breathing disorders, evaluate patients and performing tests and studies, determine appropriate therapy and treatment options with physicians, analyze blood and sputum in the lab, manage equipment and devices needed to help people that can’t breathe normally on their own, and educate patients and families about lung diseases and breathing disorders.

Individuals interested in becoming a respiratory therapist should be detail oriented and well organized. It’s important to have strong problem solving and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work well under pressure. For more information about respiratory therapists, including a video, visit here.

To all our dedicated YKHC respiratory therapists—your unwavering commitment to helping others breathe easier deserves to be celebrated and recognized!

Please say “Thank you” to the next respiratory therapist you see.