This week (October 25-31) is National Respiratory Care Week – a time to celebrate respiratory therapists and the vital role they play in patient health.

Respiratory therapy is described as the assessment and treatment of patients with dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system and may include treating diseases, infections, or viruses such as lung cancer, asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Respiratory therapists may also provide life-saving care to trauma patients. Respiratory therapists are responsible for crucial components of patient care – for instance, managing life support mechanical ventilation systems, assessing vital signs, managing artificial airways, and much more.