Respiratory Therapy

Southwestern Medical Center offers Respiratory Therapy services for patients struggling with breathing disorders or lung complications. The Respiratory Therapists at Southwestern Medical Center conduct diagnostic testing, work with patients and physicians to create respiratory care plans and are also able to assist in the emergency situations including heart attack, stroke, drowning, or shock.

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Conditions Treated

Asthma
Emphysema
Bronchitis
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Anyone who has ever struggled to breathe for even the smallest amount of time knows how frightening it can be. Our team of highly skilled and qualified professionals work to ensure our patients never have to feel that fear again. Our physicians assist patients by performing diagnostic procedures such as bronchoscopy and pulmonary function testing to determine the causes of respiratory difficulty.

BRONCHOSCOPY

A bronchoscopy procedure involves using an instrument called a bronchoscope to view the throat, trachea, larynx and lower airways. There are two types of bronchoscopy procedures available: flexible and rigid. Both are inserted through the nasal or oral cavity and have the capability to remove tissues for biopsy. The flexible bronchoscopy is most often used because it is more comfortable for the patient and does not require the use of anesthesia. The rigid bronchoscopy is used when there is an obstruction to the flexible scope’s view, when larger tissue samples are needed for biopsy and to clear the airway.

PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTING

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) is conducted to identify any illness or injury of the lung. PFT is non-invasive and measures a variety of lung functions including the amount of air inhaled and exhaled during normal respiration, the amount of air exhaled per minute and the fastest rate of air that a patient can force out of their lungs at once.

CARDIOPULMONARY SERVICES

Southwestern Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Services focus on facilitating recovery and greater quality of life for individuals suffering from heart and lung illness. We are able to assist patients requiring pulmonary function tests, breathing treatments, continuous positive airway pressure, and ventilator care.