Scope of Services
St.Vincent Respiratory Care has made a commitment to the future of respiratory care by embracing a variety of responsibilities allowing us to broaden our scope of practice.
Our team covers several diverse areas including the Emergency Department, Cardiac Recovery, Medical, Surgical and Coronary Intensive Care Units, Neuro Intensive Care Unit, and Pediatrics.
Our progressive department provides ventilator management, ABG’s, TB skin testing post-surgical treatment protocols, bronchoscopy assistance, procedural sedation monitoring, EKG acquisitions, and assistance in the pediatric and adult sleep disorders centers.
Respiratory therapists in adult critical care setting are an integral part of the patient care team. Patient assessments, emergency airway care, and procedural sedation are a few of the responsibilities of our therapists. Respiratory therapists in the ICU also participate in cutting edge research studies and standards of care for our patients including the ARDS net protocol and pronation.
Pediatric care has increased with the population and services offered by respiratory care. The new St.Vincent Children’s Hospital is not only “little people” friendly, but also parent friendly. We offer the Hilbert Pediatric Emergency Department, two pediatric floors, and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The continuum of care is supported by the St. Vincent Pediatric Rehab Center.
The PICU offers a wide range of respiratory care. Therapists are responsible for conventional ventilators, oscillators, nitric oxide, Bipap, CPAP, patient assessment, transports from other hospitals and assisting with bronchoscopies. One of the most progressive roles is the ECMO technician.
ECMO technicians are respiratory therapists trained to operate the heart-lung machines for gravely ill children. These therapists are highly trained and provide valuable assessment skills to the ECMO physician and perfusionist.
Patient Assessment is a core skill of all credentialed respiratory care practitioners. Respiratory therapists evaluate and treat patients on a daily basis, working with physicians to provide appropriate care.
