tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.comments2024-01-10T09:56:49.324-05:00Respiratory Therapy CaveRick Freahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01132949384071592216noreply@blogger.comBlogger2537125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-11180167384746394762024-01-10T09:56:49.324-05:002024-01-10T09:56:49.324-05:00This is also known as "Progress". Where...This is also known as "Progress". Where there are progressing to no one knows.Ozark Yankeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957474640938285191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-50841043627915055202023-10-14T10:04:54.499-04:002023-10-14T10:04:54.499-04:00Several years ago it became understood to me my mi...Several years ago it became understood to me my mission involves caregiving and encouragement. Some days are hard when I am physically weary and emotionally on edge. But God continues to fuel the spark of hope that guides me in sharing it with others. And my mission field is within my own home right now. One thing I will say is caregivers need to be cared for also ...... and we need to let that be known to others. I'm sure you know that as a caregiver yourself. Ozark Yankeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957474640938285191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-1754203734853169672023-07-29T15:51:32.683-04:002023-07-29T15:51:32.683-04:00Yes. If you are having trouble breathing in your r...Yes. If you are having trouble breathing in your room a button can be pushed to notify me that I am needed in the room. The only time the term stat is used is when a doctor puts in an order. He might put it in stat. The system is still not perfect, although much better. <br />John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-4351021956269777492023-07-28T13:16:12.801-04:002023-07-28T13:16:12.801-04:00Hi Ozark Yankee. I was in the hospital in Middle M...Hi Ozark Yankee. I was in the hospital in Middle Michigan back in September 2021 and I never once heard the word STAT. I did hear the doctor's and/or the nurse's phone sound an alarm, like what John was talking about. I heard it go off and they were needed in my room while they were standing right there, but they wanted a breathing treatment done like yesterday. So I think the phones are a great idea also.<br /><br />CherylCheryl Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16494550401205374794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-86364223155827806182023-07-25T12:12:54.279-04:002023-07-25T12:12:54.279-04:00HeyJohn! The button system sounds like a good ide...HeyJohn! The button system sounds like a good idea. So is basically like a Rapid Response type thing?<br />Ozark Yankeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957474640938285191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-62521318227226778942023-07-24T22:11:07.647-04:002023-07-24T22:11:07.647-04:00Hi.Ozark Yankee. Thank you for your comment. I am ...Hi.Ozark Yankee. Thank you for your comment. I am glad to see that you are checking out my blog post. And you are right, that there is definitely a "major overhaul" that is needed. And, now that you bring this up. I am wondering if it has already been done. At my place of employment, there is a button in every room that nurses can push if a patient is truly in need of immediate services of a respiratory therapist. What happens is we hear a unique alarm on our iPhones that we carry. And this is followed by a message of where we are needed. Whether this is a false alarm or not, we have learned to immediately respond to these alarms. And, yes, lives are saved this way. So, this system has essentially replaced the STAT system for emergent situations in the hospital setting. What do you think? John. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-68256096475281066662023-07-24T08:37:36.837-04:002023-07-24T08:37:36.837-04:00I am not a medical professional. But I have been ...I am not a medical professional. But I have been a cardiac patient and also have asthma. I have been in the hospital with my people , both cardiac patients. To know that STAT is so abused is unnerving. And that response has become ho hum. I see your side of things but Wow. I'm thinking the medical system needs a major overhaul.Ozark Yankeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07957474640938285191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-73559367761644549452017-03-10T14:55:44.475-05:002017-03-10T14:55:44.475-05:00John Carter. I would agree with Susan, that you sh...John Carter. I would agree with Susan, that you should talk to your doctor about dosing. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-81954951468985823422017-03-10T14:55:10.749-05:002017-03-10T14:55:10.749-05:00Hi Susan. Your experience with LABAs appears to be...Hi Susan. Your experience with LABAs appears to be similar to mine. I experimented with all the other LABAS, and ended up settling on ADVAIR (right where I began). It's a great medicine and, to me, produces the fewest side effects. John. Site Moderator. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-13116953136194370832017-03-10T14:52:56.285-05:002017-03-10T14:52:56.285-05:00Sorry for the late response. Usually, greater than...Sorry for the late response. Usually, greater than 90% is acceptable. However,you hve to go by what your doctor says. What I would do is just call your doctor and see what he/ she says. John. Site Moderator. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-89841282670167911952017-03-10T13:24:08.163-05:002017-03-10T13:24:08.163-05:00Great question. I observed the same thing in mysel...Great question. I observed the same thing in myself when I was a kid, that I would sometimes audibly wheeze when I was having asthma symptoms. My theory is you can't hear bronchospasm without the aid of a stethoscope. However, asthmatics also produce excessive amounts of mucus from an abnormally high number of goblet cells. This mucus makes it's way to upper airways, obstructing them. As air moves through these airways, an audible wheeze may be heard. I had many nurses tell me when I was a kid that my wheezes were audible, so they can't be bronchospasm. She was right. But what she failed to consider was that you can have both upper airway and lower airway (it's bronchospasm) wheezes at the same time. Keep in mind this is just my theory. However, I have also been living with this disease, and studying this disease, for over 40 years. I hope this answers your question. John. Site Moderator. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-90789502846617380482017-03-10T12:45:32.494-05:002017-03-10T12:45:32.494-05:00My 10 year old son has asthma. Sometimes, I can he...My 10 year old son has asthma. Sometimes, I can hear him wheeze when he walks in the room. I put my stethoscope on him and hear wheezes throughout. He says it's hard to breathe. He uses his albuterol inhaler and feels better. I can't hear the wheezes anymore. I put my stethoscope back on him and hear improvement. So what am I hearing when I can hear him wheezing without my stethoscope? That wheezing is not his asthmatic bronchospasm?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13492213724259347957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-25068563867515984212017-03-09T19:06:07.228-05:002017-03-09T19:06:07.228-05:00Yes, that would be true. Just keep in mind that th...Yes, that would be true. Just keep in mind that this is an estimate, although a good method for making it. John. Site Moderator. http://respiratorytherapycave.blogspot.com/2012/02/blood-gases-4-5-6-789-rule.html<br />John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-2057426766586769222017-03-09T18:59:31.196-05:002017-03-09T18:59:31.196-05:00That's a good question. I have actually had so...That's a good question. I have actually had someone suggest that to me to. John. Site Moderator. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-40435694778295289702017-03-09T18:57:58.134-05:002017-03-09T18:57:58.134-05:00If the machine has the respiratory rate, that woul...If the machine has the respiratory rate, that would be the most accurate respiratory rate to record. Thanks for your question. John. Site Moderator. John Bottrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05107035756753427035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-38757539362396470062017-03-07T17:57:01.012-05:002017-03-07T17:57:01.012-05:00How about getting a bachelors in allied health? A ...How about getting a bachelors in allied health? A general health degree that would apply to any health related job you decide to take?HolyGuacamolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13582084636907116266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-12043295321086622452017-03-05T23:36:12.918-05:002017-03-05T23:36:12.918-05:00If patient oxygen saturation on COPD patient is 75...If patient oxygen saturation on COPD patient is 75%. Is his/her PO2 be on the 40% area? Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18333290877923280686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-78150372698605732112017-03-01T22:13:19.832-05:002017-03-01T22:13:19.832-05:00Always, always got an itchy chin and neck as a chi...Always, always got an itchy chin and neck as a child when I was getting choked up and still do.<br />Thanks for your post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06550614597609503345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-38057626610329488032017-02-26T17:38:54.491-05:002017-02-26T17:38:54.491-05:00John Carter, Brovana is a powerful LABA and can ha...John Carter, Brovana is a powerful LABA and can have really signifiant side effects. You should be discussing dosage with your pulmonologist. Don't go by what someone else you know is doing.<br /><br />Rick Free, I would comment this: I have really hard to manage asthma, and have been on all three of the standard LABAs for asthma: Dulera, Symbbiort and Advair. The three actually have differences, and Advair is the one that works best for me. Each person is going to be different.<br /><br />I wish it didn't take so much experimentation, but in my case I am allergic to NOTHING ON THE PLANET and it's taken two years of detective work to get my asthma under control.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714100137047814427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-13960408285204857882017-02-26T17:35:39.027-05:002017-02-26T17:35:39.027-05:00I'm 71 and have very late 0nset asthma (68, di...I'm 71 and have very late 0nset asthma (68, diagnosed at 69). The last half of last year I was hospitalized five times in seven months because of the asthma. The last time was pretty scary, with the ER doctor telling me that I could be in a lot of trouble (the time before that, the Hospitalist told me that it could kill me). Neither of them were exaggerating.<br /><br />I saw someone from the same Hospitalist group each time (except one time when the ambulance had to take me to a different hospital), and this last episode, before Christmas, the Hospitalist ordered Brovana. He hadn't seen my spirometry and I suspect he thought I really had COPD -- I don't. Nevertheless, the Brovana really did work as a rapid rescue. Two treatments and I thought I was ready to go home. They kept me because of my history of flaring up again even in the hospital, but after two treatments with Brovana they brought in a spirometry, and I blew the top off it (when I'm healthy I have huge lungs and huge lung power, peak flow of 590). <br /><br />The Brovana broke the spine of those repeated hospitalizations. They would release me after 4 days, or 6 days, or once, 8 days, still wheezing but much better. But the wheezing would never stop, gradually build again, and then turn into an emergency.<br /><br />Since the Brovana I had a long stretch where I didn't wheeze at all. Now I probably wheeze every day, but it's not severe, there's no distressed breathing with it, and my rescue inhaler turns it off. In fact Brovana may have saved my life last December. It certainly kept me out of ICU, a place I haven't been so far and don't care to visit.<br /><br />At my age I doubt the would have me use Brovana at home. As I understand it, it poses special risks for people my age. But in the hospital and closely monitored, it was a miracle worker for me.<br /><br />I think people who use it at home need to be extremely careful as it is the only LABA one can accidentally take without a steroid, which as I understand it, is a very bad idea. The Brovana comes with one capsule, and a second capsule of liquid steroid must also be used, at least with asthma--I can't speak for COPD. I think it would be easy to get distracted and forget to put in the steroid (in the hospital, they put both in the nebulizer at the same time.)<br /><br />I think the Hospitalist was brilliant to try this, although I know he thought I didn't really have asthma. I have found research demonstrating that when asthma comes on every late in life as it did with me, it tends to be both more severe and harder to manage. It didn't help that I was supersensitive to the ethanol in my ProAir RI. A very sharp respiratory technician knew that Ventolin has no ethanol in it, and got me some when it flared up in the hospital between Duoneb treatments. I was working really hard to breathe and the nurse was staying right by me and assuring me that she wouldn't leave my side, so I know I was in the soup. The RT brought in the Ventolin. I used it with a spacer, and five minutes later I was still wheezing a little, but no longer spinning out of control. <br /><br />Nevertheless, I believe the Hospitalist thought he was treating COPD, not asthma. I've only found one comment online from a doctor cautiously looking at Brovana for asthma. It's not common, and I think anyone using it for astdhma should be seeing a pulmonologist who is likely familiar with the drug, and really have a detailed conversation about it, what to watch for, etc.<br /><br />For me, I can't believe how much better I feel, and it's a tremendous relief to have an RI that works instead of making me worse. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714100137047814427noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-10728470191620539142017-02-24T15:38:03.297-05:002017-02-24T15:38:03.297-05:00My.toddler diagnos with pneumonia admitted 8 days ...My.toddler diagnos with pneumonia admitted 8 days and spo2 level ranging to 89 to.92 but.the.nurse said 95 is.the.target they used oxygen.to maintain the target.now we are discharge just.to.make.sure.my baby is ok i buy pulse oxymeter to monitor her o2 level ill check.it feom time.to time and.my reading.ranging 90 to 93 should i.bring.her to.er or is.it.normal.shes.taking.her.oral antibiotic and nebulization thanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03801001499717425529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-77666881376829716792017-02-24T15:32:20.179-05:002017-02-24T15:32:20.179-05:00My daughter diagnos pneumonia last.week and admitt...My daughter diagnos pneumonia last.week and admittes.8days in the hospital her sp02 that time.is.dropping by at 89 to 92 and they put oxygen <br />My toddker is discharge already but from time.to time.ill.check.her spo2 level and.ive 90 to 93 is dangerous should.i bring him.to the.er i remember the.nurse said atleast 95% target what should.i.do? Im a little.bit.worried.for my babyAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03801001499717425529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-66146716766890335942016-11-16T11:26:59.699-05:002016-11-16T11:26:59.699-05:00I used Advair for 14 years, then doctor switched m...I used Advair for 14 years, then doctor switched me to Breo after double pneumonia. I've taken Breo for 1 1/2 years. I believe there are many side affects to this medicine such as lethargy, back pain, eye problems. I have switched back to Breo and in a week I am feeling a whole lot better.ACHEYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01989694638782828058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-24675256834660690202016-11-07T07:40:07.923-05:002016-11-07T07:40:07.923-05:00Back in the dinosaurage, we did IPPB TID with N/S....Back in the dinosaurage, we did IPPB TID with N/S. On all post-op patients! It's gonna take time to get Doctors to do it right. Once the are getting thier hands slapped for ordering albuterol they will stop.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00651834007188297229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423880838207203660.post-56643392065803562812016-10-25T10:58:26.980-04:002016-10-25T10:58:26.980-04:00Thank you for the informative article. Having had...Thank you for the informative article. Having had the experience of working with very knowledgeable RTs, I think the issue here is that RNs, MDs, and other personnel are not aware of the training that is required to be a RT. It's now a licensed profession and has been for some time. I was very fortunate to work with a very experienced, humble and gifted RT who took the time teaching me and educate me about RTs at the same time. I believe the AARC should make it a priority to educate everyone (professionals and nonprofessionals) about the education and training that is required to be a RT. Thank you for all you do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com