Respiratory Care

Barney Rodriguez RRT, MAA/Director of Respiratory Services & Heart Station

Respiratory Care is located on the first floor of CSMC adjacent to Health Information Management department. We provide cardiopulmonary procedures that involve 14 life support invasive and non invasive mechanical ventilators for all age groups and three CPAP machines for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and other sleep disorders of the adult population. We provide airway clearance devices including the Vest which is a high frequency chest wall oscillator. We provide aerosol therapy to all age groups including the pediatric population that includes aerosol tents and oxygen hoods. We have four state-of-the-art blood gas instruments located in the ICU, ED, OR and NICU. These instruments also have high technology data management systems that allow improved blood gas results reporting and quality control to meet accreditation standards. We assist in bedside and outpatient endoscopies through digital bronchoscopes located in the ICU and OR. We are present at therapeutic bedside cardioversions using defibrillators. We currently have diagnostic pulmonary function equipment and provide diagnostic information for the ordering physician to help diagnose and treat the underlying pulmonary disease process. We have 25 state of the art pulse oximeters that have the capability of short and long term monitoring at rest, exercise, and sleep. We have a treadmill with the integration of equipment and technology from Diagnostic Imaging allowing nuclear and stress echo diagnostic evaluation. Holtor monitors are placed on in patients as well as out patients with computerized scanning to monitor the cardiac system on a 24-hour or longer basis and up to 30 days of monitoring.

The Respiratory Care Department of College Station Medical Center has been awarded "Site of Clinical Excellence" by Roche Diagnostics at the Focus meeting in Orlando, Florida. What does this mean for our patients at College Station Medical Center? The clinical explanation can be found in the August-September issue of Respiratory Therapy. The message to the public is that the inability to breathe is a frightening experience and when left untreated may be life threatening. College Station Medical Center's Respiratory Care department has strategically located 4 blood gas analyzers in high volume critical care areas to allow quick turn around results for the physician to help diagnose and treat you when you can not breathe adequately. The strategic investment of this technology is in line with the Mission, Vision, and Values of the hospital as we serve you in our daily operations. The standard of care in our Blood Gas Laboratory has allowed us to be recognized by The Joint Commision as an acrredited Laboratory under the umbrella of CLIA. For additional information, contact the Director of Respiratory Care at (979) 764-5256.

Services & Procedures

Health Resources:

Electrocardiogram Detailed information on electrocardiogram, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, and after care.

Bronchoscopy Detailed information on bronchoscopy, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, and after care.

We work with all age groups.

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Invasive and non invasive mechanical ventilation
• Small volume and large volume nebulizer therapy
• Airway clearance modalities
• Oxygen administration
• CPAP and BIPAP
• Blood gases and pleural fluid analysis
• Sputum induction and collection
• Bronchoscopies
• Pulmonary functions
• Cardioversion
• Airway emergencies and maintenance
• Positive pressure therapeutic devices
• Pulse oximetry studies
• Incentive Spirometry
• Thoracentesis
• In-patient Electrocardiograms (EKG’s)
• Holtor monitoring
• Nuclear and echo stress tests
• Community and patient education

Process

We do not treat patients in Respiratory Care as out patients. These patients are treated in the Heart Station. As an out patient, the physician orders and demographics must be sent to the Admissions office and the Diagnostic scheduling department must be called to schedule the procedure. These services are provided Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and after hours on emergent basis.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Am I allowed to bring in my home medical equipment?
A: Hospital policy prohibits outside medical equipment to be brought into the facility due to safety and infection control issues. We will allow patient owned supplies to be utilized with the equipment, as long as there is no safety or infection control issues as determined by the Respiratory Care Practitioner.

Q: How do I get Respiratory Care services at home?
A: Consult with your physician. The physician will evaluate the request and will write a written order for home medical equipment. The Case Managers will be notified and will visit you in your room to make arrangements.

Q: May I smoke as a patient in this facility?
A: Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the campus of College Station Medical Center.

Q: How much do these Respiratory Care services cost?
A: I will contact your nurse on duty to arrange a financial consultant to contact you about your financial concerns.

Q: How do I get evaluated for a sleep disorder?
A: Consult with your physician to evaluate your request. The Respiratory Care Practitioner can provide you with a screening questionnaire that will assist you and the physician in determining your needs for sleep diagnostic testing.

Q: How do I get help with smoking cessation?
A: Consult with your physician. He or she may prescribe medications and/or smoking cessation information which is offered at CSMC by the respiratory department.

Q: How can I improve my general well being after discharge with my particular cardiopulmonary disease?
A: Consult with your physician. He may ask assistance from Case Management, Physical Therapy, and /or Respiratory Care. CSMC will have a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation service located in the Medical Office East on the third floor in early 2006.

Q: How can I get my lung function checked?
A: Consult with your physician. He or she may order a pulmonary function test or other specialized tests such as methacholine challenges for chronic cough.