Saint Anthony's Health Center 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.
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 patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.
To qualify for the recognition, Saint Anthony's Health Center provided documentation showing it meets the following conditions:
• All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care service or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
• Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours.
• Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures must be designated in writing.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director or respiratory care services.
Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards guideline and should be commended for their commitment to quality care.
Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physician orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthmas, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.
For more information on Saint Anthony's Health Center’s Respiratory Care services, please call 618/474-6451.