Respiratory care is a science that, under the direction of a licensed physician, devotes itself to the procedures and devices relating to ventilation of the lungs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, monitoring and diagnostics, aerosolized drug therapy and consultation and education of the patient, family and the public.

Our Respiratory Therapists have a prominent role in providing respiratory care throughout the hospital including the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room. The Respiratory Therapists work to evaluate, treat and care for people with breathing disorders. This not only includes patients with chronic lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis, but also patients suffering from strokes, heart attack, head trauma, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer.

Among the numerous services that the Respiratory Care Department provides are:

• Primary responders to patient codes and the Rapid ResponseTeam
• Emergency airway management
• Ventilator and BIPAP support and management
• Aerosolized bronchodilator treatments
• Neonatal Ventilator and Nasal CPAP support and management
• Oxygen therapy
• Pulmonary function testing

Awards

The Respiratory Care Department at Forest Hills Hospital has been named a Quality Respiratory Care Provider by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), which launched the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition program to help consumers make informed choices about their healthcare. Hospitals recognized under the program ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.

To qualify for recognition, Forest Hills Hospital met the following conditions:

• All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services and hold the CRT or RRT credential.
• Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours a day.
• Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures have been designated in writing.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy has been designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

Department Goal

Our Respiratory Therapy Department goal at Forest Hills Hospital is to provide the highest quality of respiratory care in this vastly changing health care environment.

Director

Charles Catanzaro, RRT

Service Location

Respiratory Care Department
Forest Hills Hospital
102-01 66th Road, 8th Floor
Forest Hills, NY 11375