Chapter 2 The Profession of Respiratory Therapy.pptx

The Profession of Respiratory Therapy Learning Objectives • Describe the roles and function of the Saudi Association for Respiratory Care, and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care within the respiratory care profession. • Describe how professional and medical organizations contribu...

The Profession of Respiratory Therapy Learning Objectives • Describe the roles and function of the Saudi Association for Respiratory Care, and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care within the respiratory care profession. • Describe how professional and medical organizations contribute to the development and quality of the medical profession. • Discuss the scope of respiratory care practice. • Identify the settings in which respiratory therapists practice. • Describe the roles and responsibilities of the director, education coordinator, quality assurance coordinator, supervisors/lead therapist, clinical staff, researcher and medical director. • Discuss accreditation, credentialing, medical direction and licensure aspects of the respiratory care profession. • Identify the roles that each professional RT must play in the future growth of the respiratory care profession. Introduction • 1930s: The profession of respiratory therapy was officially established in the United States • Grown to approximately 172,921 respiratory therapists • Early years: “oxygen technicians” or “oxygen orderlies”  Trained on the job • Today respiratory therapy is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions 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 cardiopulmonary 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 Scope of Respiratory Care Practice Today RT diagnostic activities:  Obtaining and analyzing physiological specimens  Interpreting physiological data  Performing tests and studies of the cardiopulmonary system  Performing sleep disorder studies Scope of Respiratory Care Practice Today 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 Respiratory Therapy Department Composition 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 Quality Assurance Coordinator 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 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 anesthesiologist • Must be available on a 24-hour basis • Develop protocols based on he most current research 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 Caution! Saudi Commission for Health Specialties • The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties is a Saudi Arabian scientific commission that regulates health care-related practices and accreditation at all levels in Saudi Arabia. • The leading national professional organization for respiratory therapists Designations and Credentials of Respiratory Therapists • Three levels of general practice credentialing in respiratory care: • Specialist: Bachelor or an equivalent in one of the above specialties for qualifications that had been obtained abroad or within the Kingdom. • Senior specialist: Master’s degree in any health specialties in case the practitioner obtained a bachelor qualification in the same specialty. • Consultant specialist: PhD in any health specialties after obtaining a master’s degree in the same specialty 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 The Saudi Society for Respiratory Care (SSRC) • (SSRC) is a scientific non-profit organization, established in 2005 under the umbrella of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (formerly called Dammam University) to develop and support the profession of respiratory care in Saudi Arabia. Professionalism Professional characteristics of the RT • Completes an accredited respiratory therapy program • Obtains professional credentials • Participates in continuing education activities • Adheres to the code of ethics put forth by the institution or state licensing board • Ethical standards include respecting the privacy of the patient’s personal health information • Joins and is actively involved in professional organizations The Future of Respiratory Care • “2015 and Beyond” • The task force was charged with envisioning potential new roles and responsibilities of RTs by 2015 and beyond Five key questions about the profession 1- How will most patients receive health care services in the future? 2- How will respiratory care services be provided? 3- What new knowledge, skills, and attributes will RTs need to be able to provide care that is safe, efficacious, and cost- effective in 2015? 4- What education and credentialing systems will be needed to ensure RTs acquire the new knowledge, skills, and attributes? 5- How should the profession transition from traditional practice to the newer system without adversely • affecting the existing workforce? Pulmonary Disease Manager • An approach that teaches patients how to manage and take ownership of their chronic disease • Role of disease manager is a natural fit for the RT Potential Career Avenues for Respiratory Therapists Tips ” Becoming a Respiratory Therapist means that you should be prepared for a long and often uncertain journey. The good stuff doesn’t come easy” • Keep working hard towards your goals each and every day and you’ll get there before you know it Thank You