Breathing is an involuntary reflex that most people don't think twice about.  It just happens. However, if you are one of the thousands of Americans who have difficulty breathing, you are well aware of each breath. This can occur for many reasons, be it a lung disease, a traumatic accident or you have suffered a heart attack.  Regardless of cause, there is a need to repair and maintain the functioning of the lungs.  In most cases, a respiratory therapist, or RT,  will provide care and rehabilitation. 

As in the case with nurses, there are levels of respiratory therapists; Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT), the latter requiring more training and examinations.  Regardless, RTs are responsible for much of the pulmonary care given in hospitals. Besides providing intensive and critical care, they also perform neonatal procedures and are usually part of the lifesaving response team for most hospitals.  With America's ever growing senior population, there has been an increased need for RTs in senior health care communities.  Maple Ridge employs 6 full time respiratory therapists on staff.  A couple have been with Maple Ridge since the induction of the ventilator unit.  Cyndi Vest,a graduate of Kaskaskia College in southern Illinois started her career in 1993 at Clay County Hospital.  She went on to open a vent unit at a nursing home in Salem, IL and also has worked pediatrics at St. Louis Childerns Hospital. On returning to Illinois and the Hopedale Medical Complex, she learned of Maple Ridge's plan to open a a vent unit.  She wanted to  be a part from the beginning and has been with Maple Crest ever since.  Cyndi says she is happiest working with the geriatric population and loves working  in the vent unit.  She goes on to say,   "Ventilators are what I love.  I have been here going on 4 years and I love every minute of it!  Getting to know my residents is very rewarding and weaning some of them off the ventilator is a very happy time, for them and myself"  Another RT, Stepehn Runyon, has also been with the vent unit at Maple Ridge since the start.  A graduate from Parkland College, Stephen has worked at Matoon Health Care, Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital and Robinson Community Hospital.  Stephen is proud to helping start the vent unit and watching it become so successful.      

The role of the respiratory therapist is invaluable, especially in a senior community.  With their speicialized skills they are able to provide rehablilitive care as well as manage those with chronic disorders.  Whether the goal is to wean a patient off of a ventilator so they can return home or provide daily care to residents with asthma, they help to maintain a higher quality of life for those people who have trouble breathing.