Celebrate Respiratory Care Week Oct. 25-31

This week give a special thank you to our respiratory therapists on campus!

Respiratory therapists, or RTs, are a key part of the battle against COVID-19, which can cause severe respiratory illness in the lungs. At UT Southwestern, our RTs are working at the patient's bedside, day and night, in the COVID ICU and COVID patient care floor. Respiratory practitioners manage mechanical ventilators, high-flow oxygen devices, BiPAPs, and basic oxygen therapy to prevent patients from quickly succumbing to breathing issues caused by the virus.

Overall, respiratory care lies within the clinical medicine and allied health professions. RTs are trained and educated in the management, treatment, and care of patients with heart and lung disorders.

Under the direction of a physician, respiratory therapists assist with intubations, ventilator management, airway maintenance, administer lifesaving medical gases, attend high risk deliveries, and much more.