Table of Contents
What week is Respiratory Care Week?
Celebrate Respiratory Care Week 2021 (Oct. 24–30) and let your community, patients, and colleagues know how vital you are to patient care.
Which President declared Respiratory Care Week?
President Ronald Reagan
Driven by the AARC, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation declaring the last full week in October as National Respiratory Therapy Week. The proclamation on September 15, 1983 spells out why this week is so important. “Chronic lung diseases constitute an important health problem in the United States.
How did Respiratory Care Week Start?
It was started by President Ronald Reagan in November 1982 when he signed a proclamation declaring the third week of each October as National Respiratory Care Week. Since the proclamation, Respiratory Care Week is now a yearly event that is designed to promote and bring awareness to the field of Respiratory Care.
What is respiratory care?
Respiratory Therapy is an allied health specialty concerned with the treatment, management and care of the patient’s breathing. Respiratory Care Practitioners are trained in the diagnostic evaluation of lung function and therapeutic procedures that help maintain good lung health.
What does a respiratory therapist do?
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. Their patients range from premature infants with undeveloped lungs to elderly patients who have diseased lungs.
What is Healthy Lung Month?
October is Healthy Lung Month.
What do respiratory care practitioners do?
Respiratory Therapists (RTs), also known as Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP), are trained to aid physicians in the evaluation, diagnosis, and care of patients with cardiopulmonary problems. Such patients include those with emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, cardiac failure, and chest trauma.
What degree do you need for respiratory care practitioner?
Respiratory therapists are required to be a graduate and be awarded an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a respiratory therapy education program supported or accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC).
Why is the AARC important?
The AARC encourages and promotes professional excellence, advances the science and practice of respiratory care, and serves as an advocate for patients and their families, the public, the profession and the respiratory therapist.