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MGH recognized for respiratory care

Martin General Hospital (MGH) has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a national program aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. Just 15 percent of hospitals in the United States apply for and receive QRCR. This is the third consecutive year that MGH’s Cardiopulmonary Services Department has received this award.

About the award

The QRCR program was started by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure quality care by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing respiratory care services. Those that meet the QRCR requirements provide respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines.

To qualify for the recognition, MGH provided documentation showing it meets the following conditions:

• All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital who deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or are certified respiratory therapists (CRTs) or registered respiratory therapists (RRTs).
• Respiratory therapists are available around-the-clock.
• The amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures as well as the medical staff qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures is designated in writing.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

Respiratory care and the AARC

The AARC is a membership organization representing more than 46,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide. The QRCR program developed out of concerns among healthcare leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of healthcare services provided to patients. Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. QRCR hospitals are listed on the AARC’s Web site, www.yourlunghealth.org.

Respiratory care is delivered by respiratory therapists. These specially trained healthcare professionals work under physician’s orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and other lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams that handle medical emergencies.

Adapted from an original article appearing in The Enterprise, February 17, 2009.