Clinical Advances in Respiratory Care

- Inhalation therapists began to be trained in the 1950s, and formal education programs began in the 1960s.

- By the end of the 1960s,respiratory care personnel were all referred to as inhalation therapists

- provided oxygen therapy via H cylinders and oxygen tents, masks, and nasal catheters.

- In 1974, the designation respiratory therapist became standard,

Oxygen Therapy

- The therapeutic administration of oxygen first occurred in 1798; in 1878

Bert - showed that lack of oxygen caused hyperventilation.

National Institutes of Health - launched the Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial

Long-Term Oxygen Treatment Trial - a randomized controlled trial to explore the benefits of supplemental oxygen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and mild resting hypoxemia or with exercise desaturation.

von Linde - developed the production of oxygen in 1907

Lane - introduced the use of a nasal catheter for oxygen administration

- Oxygen tents were in use in 1910, and an oxygen mask was used to treat combat gas–induced pulmonary edema in 1918

Hill - developed an oxygen tent to treat leg ulcers, and in 1926

Barach - introduced a sophisticated oxygen tent for clinical use.

• a meter mask was developed by Barach to administer dilute oxygen.

BLB mask (Boothby, Lovelace, and Bulbulian) - to administer 80% to 100% oxygen to pilots was introduced during World War II and later used on patients

The Campbell Ventimask - which allowed the administration of 24%, 28%, 35%, or 40% oxygen was introduced in 1960

Aerosol Medications

Aerosol therapy - defined as the administration of liquid or powdered aerosol particles via inhalation to achieve a desired therapeutic effect.

Datura leaf - contain atropine, to treat asthma

bronchodilators - were introduced for the maintenance treatment of COPD, used to treat asthmas

aerosolized steroids - maintenance of patients with moderate to severe asthma

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical Ventilation - involves the use of a mechanical device to provide ventilatory support for patients.

Fothergill - 1744 advocated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for drowning victims