RETR 211

Primary safety considerations in patient care

• Patient movement and ambulation

• Electrical safety

• Fire hazards

• General safety guidelines

Correct technique for lifting heavy objects

• Use good posture

• Keep a straight spine

• Use leg muscles to lift

Decreases their work of breathing

Position bedridden patients with respiratory dysfunction upright with arms flexed and thorax leaning forward

Benefits of ambulation for patients

• Maintains normal body function

• Prevents bed sores and atelectasis

• Reduces hospital stay after surgery

Steps to safely ambulate a patient

• Lock bed wheels

• Assist the patient to sit up

• Let their legs dangle

• Monitor for dizziness

• Provide support while walking

Differentiation between macroshock and microshock

• Macroshock involves high current (>1mA) externally applied

• Microshock involves small imperceptible current (<1mA) bypassing the skin

RACE acronym for fire safety

• Rescue

• Alert

• Contain

• Evacuate

Five basic components of communication

• Sender

• Message

• Channel

• Receiver

• Feedback

Ways healthcare providers can improve communication as receivers

• Listen actively

• Resist distractions

• Keep an open mind

• Control emotions

Two main sources of conflict in healthcare organizations

Poor communication and role conflict

Conflict resolution strategies

• Competing

• Accommodating

• Avoiding

• Collaborating

• Compromising

Focus of respiratory therapy

Promoting optimal cardiopulmonary function and health

Workplaces for respiratory therapists

• ICUs

• Clinics

• Wards

• Diagnostic facilities

• Nursing homes

• Home care settings

When respiratory therapy formally started in Ghana

2017

Advancements in oxygen therapy

From nasal catheters and oxygen tents to LTOTs and oxygen concentrators

Significance in respiratory therapy as the term "respiratory therapist" was established and the national board for respiratory therapy was formed

1974

Examples of professional organizations for respiratory care

American Association for Respiratory Care and Ghana Association for Respiratory Care

A complication associated with mechanical ventilation

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

Requirements to become a respiratory therapist in Ghana

• Complete a BSc in Respiratory Therapy

• Pass licensure exams

• Follow the code of conduct

Ways RTs prevent electrical shock in the hospital

• Ensure proper grounding

• Use grounded outlets with three-wire cords

• Conduct regular checks by qualified personnel

Materials to be removed from areas with oxygen use to prevent fire hazards

Flammable materials like cotton

Key elements of fire extinguisher training (PASS)

• Pull the pin

• Aim the nozzle

• Squeeze the handle

• Sweep the nozzle at the base of the fire

Examples of medical gas cylinder hazards

• Increased risk of fire

• Explosive release of gas

• Toxicity of certain gases

Safety zones in MRI rooms

Gauss Lines

Disaster preparedness for RTs

• Transporting critically ill patients

• Preparing for power loss

• Knowing hospital disaster policies

General safety concerns in a patient’s environment

• Risk-free surroundiRisk-free surroundings

• Easy access to care

• Unimpeded access to nurse call systems

How non-verbal communication can be effective in healthcare

• Eye contact

• Gesturing

• Appropriate facial expressions

• Voice tone

Original names for respiratory therapists

• Oxygen technicians

• Inhalation therapists

Innovations improving aerosol medication delivery

• Short- and long-acting bronchodilators

• Mucolytics

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Antibiotics

When formal education for respiratory therapy began

1960s

Advancements in airway management

• Improved techniques

• Cardiopulmonary diagnostics

• Pulmonary function testing

Professional organizations for respiratory therapists

• National Board for Respiratory Care

• Africa Respiratory Care Association

• International Council for Respiratory Care

Why negative pressure ventilation is less common now

Positive pressure ventilation has become the standard

First major oxygen therapy innovation

Oxygen administration started in 1798