What is Respiratory Therapy?

Respiratory therapists, as members of a team of health care professionals, work to evaluate, treat, and manage patients of all ages with respiratory illnesses and other cardiopulmonary disorders in a wide variety of clinical settings.

Respiratory therapists must behave in a manner consistent with the standards and ethics of all health care professionals. In addition to performing respiratory care procedures, respiratory therapists are involved in clinical decision making (such as patient evaluation, treatment selection, and assessment of treatment efficacy) and patient education.

The scope of practice for respiratory therapy includes, but is not limited to:

• assessing the cardiopulmonary status of patients 
• drawing blood samples, performing blood gas analysis, and pulmonary function testing 
• initiating ordered respiratory care, evaluating and monitoring patient responses to such care, modifying the prescribed respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary procedures and life support endeavors to achieve desired therapeutic objectives. 
• providing patient, family, and community education 
• participating in life support activities as required.