Respiratory

Summary

This week I got to know the therapists that work in the respiratory unit, Kim on Monday and Mark on Wednesday. I got to see different patients with different conditions in different units throughout the hospital for example, I saw someone that had Emphysema in one unit and another person with Respiratory Distress Syndrome. I learned very much this week due to the great workers there, they taught me various things such as what Emphysema is and how the different machines operate and what their purpose plays in delivering medical care. The best thing that I got to see was getting to go to the nursery and seeing a newborn that had breathing problems and had a mask on. The worst thing that happened to me was that on Monday, I had to wait for twenty minutes to meet up with an RT, but thankfully, I was allowed to see a nurse try to put an IV into a patient. In general, this week was very good because I got great insight into yet another department and learned so much in so little time.

Technology Observed

BIPAP- This is the mask that is put on patients to deliver oxygen to them. PEEP- This is a function on a machine that uses air pressure to force air out of the lungs, at the end of the breathing cycle. CPAP- Is like PEEP except that it is continuous throughout the breathing cycle. Respirator- In essence, it is life support and aids in breathing by delivering air. 840 Vent System- Has different settings for different patients needs, for example if a patient is in surgery it does much work or very little if it is there for precaution. HI FLO- It is a blender that uses a nasal canula and is used more for patients with COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). I also saw a pulse oximeter- measures blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate.

Diagnostic/Therapeutic Procedures Observed

I saw how one would adjust the oxygen levels for a patient and also how a PEEP machine works for a patient. Also I was shown how medications could ease a patients effort in breathing. A pulmonary function is a test that is used to see how an individuals lungs work.

Diseases/Disorders Observed

Emphysema- A disease that destroys lung tissue, Atelectasis- Pockets in the lungs collapse and it does not allow you to take deep breaths. COPD-A disorder that makes it even more difficult to breathe deeply, Hemoptysis- Coughing up blood (can occur from various things).

Medical Terminology/ Abbreviations Encountered

Pneumothorax- A hole in the lung, ABG- Arterial Blood Gases, COPD- A disorder that makes it even more difficult to breathe deeply, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Usually derives from other diseases, Emphysema- A disease that destroys lung tissue, Atelectasis- Pockets in the lungs collapse and it does not allow you to take deep breaths.

Summary

My initial assumption of the unit was it was very small and I later figured out that it was because they are always in different parts of the hospital attending to the patients needs. During my two days there I worked with several Respiratory Therapists, Jesus and Priscilla and Kim. They were all very kind and knowledgeable  about their career and everything incorporated with it, including machines and diseases. Their main duty is to help patients with breathing in different areas such as the ICU or Nursery. All of their equipment is specialized to help patients breathe according to their condition and how much assistance is needed. BIPAP- This is the mask that is put on patients to deliver oxygen to them. PEEP- This is a function on a machine that uses air pressure to force air out of the lungs, at the end of the breathing cycle. CPAP- Is like PEEP except that it is continuous throughout the breathing cycle. Respirator- In essence, it is life support and aids in breathing by delivering air. 840 Vent System- Has different settings for different patients needs, for example if a patient is in surgery it does much work or very little if it is there for precaution. HI FLO- It is a blender that uses a nasal canula and is used more for patients with COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder). I also saw a pulse oximeter- measures blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate.

The healthcare professionals all are very kind and do not hesitate to ask each other for help if they are unsure, because they all know the risks of doing something that you do not fully comprehend. They all have to know how to communicate with the different professionals of the hospital because they are always going around different units. The safety procedures they undergo are nothing more than the Universal Precautions of all hospitals because they do not put themselves in any immediate danger and are not subject to any hazardous areas or medicines. Some of the procedures I saw performed were: how one would adjust the oxygen levels for a patient and also how a PEEP machine works for a patient. Also I was shown how medications could ease a patients effort in breathing. A pulmonary function is a test that is used to see how an individuals lungs work.

I learned a lot about how different diseases affect the lungs in their own unique way, some disrupting the breathing pattern and others destroying the actual lung tissue.Emphysema- A disease that destroys lung tissue, Atelectasis- Pockets in the lungs collapse and it does not allow you to take deep breaths. COPD-A disorder that makes it even more difficult to breathe deeply, Hemoptysis- Coughing up blood (can occur from various things).Pneumothorax- A hole in the lung, ABG- Arterial Blood Gases, COPD- A disorder that makes it even more difficult to breathe deeply, Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Usually derives from other diseases, Emphysema- A disease that destroys lung tissue, Atelectasis- Pockets in the lungs collapse and it does not allow you to take deep breaths. Some skills I saw was the ability to work different machines. At first I was a bit overwhelmed when being introduced into all the machinery that they have to know how to use, but later when the showed me how they work them I saw that it takes a lot of training to be able to use the machines efficiently and and correctly.

I appreciate those that helped me at the unit and I found out that there is more to Respiratory than just breathing, I learned that it plays a large role with the ICU and also in making sure the patients body is functioning properly and also that there are many more diseases of the lungs than I was aware of. From what i saw this week i have a new appreciation for the unit and i think it would be an interesting unit to be involved with.