The Profession of Respiratory Therapy exam questions and answers

Scope of Respiratory Care Practice Today RT responsibilities include: Patient assessment, disease management, diagnostic evaluation, management, education, rehabilitation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardio pulmonary system The RT scope of practice includes: The application of technology and the use of protocols across all care sites including, but not limited to, the hospital, clinic, physician's office, rehabilitation facility, skilled nursing facility and the patient's home RT diagnostic activities: Obtaining and analysing physiological specimens Interpreting physiological data Performing tests and studies of the cardiopulmonary system Performing neurophysiological studies Performing sleep disorder studies RT therapeutic activities: The application and monitoring of medical gases and environmental control systems Mechanical ventilator management Insertion and care of artificial airways Bronchopulmonary hygiene Administration of pharmacological agents Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation Hemodynamic cardiovascular support Sleep support Practice Settings Hospitals Medical office, insurance companies Interfacility transport (ground and air) Homes Sleep labs Skilled nursing facilities Pulmonary rehab programs Outpatient clinics Respiratory Therapy Department Composition Goal Provide excellent service to clients RT departments serve several clients The patient, the nursing unit, nurses, physicians The majority of RT departments are centralized Have a centralized leadership, policies, procedures, medical direction, equipment and staff Department Director The most important element for delivering quality respiratory care is department leadership Many names: Director, Technical Director, Department Chief, Manager, etc Director must be: highly skilled respiratory therapist, energetic, forward thinking, innovative individual Their primary goal must be quality patient care and the continued development of the department and the profession of respiratory care Educational Coordinator Tasked with: Individually assessing the educational needs of the respiratory therapists within the department Assigning resources to help reduce educational deficiencies Developing and executing orientation and continuing competency programs Developing educational plans related to new technology Quality Assurance Coordinator Evaluates the efficiencies of the clinical staff Evaluates the value associated with the practice of respiratory care Traditionally efficiencies were determined by the number of procedures (measured by relative value unit / time standard) divided by the effort Full-time equiveillances (FTE) To measure value you must take into consideration things like risk benefit ratio or define benefit Value based efficiency Determined by the amount of benefit provided by the therapy offered divided by the effort in FTE Benefit can be determined in cost savings, survival or perceived benefit from the patient Most value-based models use cost as the objective measure Cost efficient care is often viewed as higher quality care Role identifies opportunities to improve the care provided Supervisors/Lead Therapists Roles that are defined by their names Often more experienced, higher credentialed and hold a higher level of education Oversee and ensure the day to day functionality of the department by: Assigning clinical staff to appropriate workloads and areas in which the department provides services Clinical resource to assist with advanced procedures Leader for managerial issues Respiratory Therapists The heart of the department Front line bedside staff All other roles within the respiratory therapy departments are supportive to RTs Often work 12-hour shifts In larger departments they are often allowed to specialize and work in a specific area of the hospital (ie: ICU, PICU,NICU, CTICU and Burn Units to name a few units)Copyright © 2021 Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Medical Director Professionally responsible along with the Department Director for the quality of clinical care that is delivered Responsible for assisting and advising the Department Director on the management of the Respiratory Therapy Department Usually provided by a pulmonary/critical care physician or an Anaesthesiologist Must be available on a 24-hour basis Develop protocols based on he most current research Designations and Credentials of Respiratory Therapists Two levels of general practice credentialing in respiratory care: Certified respiratory therapists (CRTs) Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs)Copyright © 2021 Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. After completion of an accredited respiratory care educational program May become credentialed by taking the TMC exam The exam has one minimum passing score (cut scores) for There is a higher cut score that allows the candidate to be eligible to take the CSE and become a Researcher Role is growing Departments are employing scientists to help research new and old practices and technology in an effort to continuously improve the care the department provides Expert clinicians and have advanced degrees in science Professional RC Organizations Today Profession A calling that requires specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation Characterized as an individual conforming to the technical and ethical standards of a profession C