Respiratory Therapy

Certified respiratory therapists are crucial members of the health care team at Dardanelle Regional. Respiratory therapists treat and monitor patients' breathing needs. They provide breathing treatments on an outpatient basis and the patient care floors. Respiratory Therapy also supports critical care patients in the Emergency Department and the intensive care units.

Primarily therapists treat patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They perform tests such as lung function and arterial blood gas tests (which check the blood's oxygen level) and assist the pulmonologist with biopsies of the lungs. COPD includes chronic bronchitis (inflamed airways cause increased mucus) and emphysema (which damages the air sacs and smallest breathing tubes in the lungs).

Respiratory Therapists are registered by the National Board of Respiratory Care and are licensed by the State of Arkansas. All staff members maintain certifications in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and pediatric advanced life support (PALS). Several Respiratory Department members are BCS, ACLS, and PALS instructors.

Patient Instructions for Respiratory Therapy Testing

Patients receiving outpatient respiratory therapy services at Dardanelle Regional Medical Center will enter through the main admissions area. Patients will need to check in at the admissions desk prior to testing. Please read the following instructions based on the procedure you will be having.

Arterial Blood Gases
Patients should plan on being in the hospital 15 to 20 minutes.

EKG
Patients should plan on being in the hospital 15 to 20 minutes.

Aerosol Treatment
Patients should plan on being in the hospital 15 to 20 minutes.

Simple Spirometry

Patients should plan on being in the hospital for 30 minutes. Do not use bronchodilators within four hours before the test unless instructed by your physician. You can eat before testing; however, do not overeat since a full stomach may restrict your ability to breathe correctly during the test. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothes for testing.

Lung Volumes
Patients should plan on being in the hospital for 30 minutes. You can eat before testing; however, do not overeat since a full stomach may restrict your ability to breathe correctly during the test. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothes for testing.

Diffusion Studies
Patients should plan on being in the hospital for 30 minutes. You can eat before testing; however, do not overeat since a full stomach may restrict your ability to breathe correctly during the test. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothes for testing.

Complete Pulmonary Function Test
Patients should plan on being in the hospital for 60 minutes. Do not use bronchodilators within four hours before the test unless instructed by your physician. You can eat before testing; however, do not overeat since a full stomach may restrict your ability to breathe correctly during the test. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothes for testing.

For more information, call 479-229-6126.

 

 

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