Respiratory therapists in the intensive care unit
Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.
Overview
Respiratory therapists assess and treat patients with disorders of breathing and of the cardiopulmonary system. In the intensive care unit they initiate, set and manage invasive and non-invasive ventilation according to physician orders and protocols. They insert and care for artificial airways, perform blood gas analyses and support weaning from mechanical ventilation. They also provide oxygen, high-flow and aerosol therapy and airway clearance. They respond to emergencies and resuscitations and accompany transports of ventilated patients. They work closely with intensivists and nurses and train patients, relatives and colleagues.
Profession by country
Fields of use and typical tasks
Intensive care unit (ventilation and weaning)
Evidence from: DE
- All post-operative ventilatory and respiratory care for cardiac surgical patients
- Advanced ventilator management
- Intubation
- Arterial line placement
- Non-invasive ventilation
- Inhaled nitric oxide therapy
Specializations
Devices and systems they use
- Non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP) device
- Intensive care ventilator
- Arterial catheter
- Respiratory therapy device (incentive spirometer/PEP device)
- Manual resuscitator (bag-valve mask)
- Blood gas analyser
- CPAP device
- Home ventilator
- High-flow nasal oxygen device
- Cough assist device (insufflator-exsufflator)
- Capnograph
- Oxygen delivery interface
- Spirometer
- Inhaled nitric oxide delivery system (iNO)
- Tracheostomy tube
- Endotracheal tube
Who they work with
- Intensivists and pulmonologists (physician orders, rounds)
- ICU nurses
- Physiotherapy and speech therapy (airway clearance, tracheostomy tubes, swallowing)
- Rapid response and resuscitation teams
- Transition to home ventilation and equipment supply
Frequently asked questions
Who decides on ventilator settings?
Respiratory therapists set and adjust ventilation based on physician orders and clinical protocols.
Do respiratory therapists work only in the ICU?
No. They also work on general wards, in emergency departments, in pulmonary function and sleep diagnostics, in long-term care and in patients' homes.
Which devices shape their daily work?
ICU and transport ventilators, non-invasive ventilation devices, high-flow oxygen therapy, nebulisers, blood gas analysers and capnography.
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Related target groups
Same work area
Same specialty
Sources
- Respiratory Care Scope of Practice (Position Statement), American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) (US)
- Respiratory Therapist, Careers, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic (US)
- Respiratory Therapy, St. Luke's Hospital, Chesterfield (St. Louis), Missouri (US)
- Respiratory Therapist (RRT), Brockton, Boston Medical Center Health System (US)
- Atmungstherapie (Flyer), St. Joseph-Stift Bremen (DE)
- Atmungstherapie (Flyer), Klinikum Herford (DE)