Respiratory Therapy

Lakeview is unique in that our facility has a full time Respiratory Therapy Department staffed 24 hours a day 7 days a week with licensed credentialed Respiratory Therapists. A wide range of Respiratory modalities and diagnostic tests similar to the hospital setting is offered.

• Spontaneous aerosol therapy treatments
• Tracheostomy management
• Nocturnal respiratory support i.e. BIPAP and CPAP
• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Pulse oximetry
• Breathing Parameters
• Ventilator patient management
• Respiratory Diseases Treated
• Asthma
• EmphysemaChronic Bronchitis
• Ventilator Dependent Patients
• Pneumonia
• Respiratory Failure
• Respiratory Insufficiency
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

The Ventilator Dependant program

There was a time when a patient who needed help to breathe, was placed in an "Iron Lung." The patient laid full length, face up, inside that machine. A mirror at the top of the machine, above the patients face allowed you to look at each other while talking. The problem was that the machine was large, cumbersome, difficult to move and very restricting to the patients movement. There had to be better way to help someone breathe. Medical engineers and scientists developed the MAI. This was a large cabinet that set next to a patients bed. The patient was connected to the machine with tubes and had freedom of movement in the bed. It was a major improvement for the patient who suffered respiratory problems. MAI's were found in service only in hospitals all over the country. That was until Lakeview had the first MAI's ever placed in a long-term care facility. We had 2 patients on MAI's in 1980 and our Respiratory Department has continued in its leadership role for nearly a quarter century.

Our 18 Bed Ventilator Dependant patient unit offers state of the art Ventilators and supporting equipment. All rooms are equipped with piped in air oxygen and suction. Extensive up to date weaning protocols (link to weaning protocols) are implemented to allow for a continuation of weaning begun in the hospital. Patients are sometimes weaned off the ventilator decanulated and sent home.

Mobility of the Ventilator Dependent Patient is our goal

When it is appropriate our ventilator dependant patients are encouraged to take advantage of various recreational trips that are offered out of the facility. Patients travel to area Restaurants, shopping malls, baseball games, beaches, and movies.

Educating the patients and
caregiver for the home care setting

From the complex ventilator dependant patient to simply administrating aerosolized medications. Our staff is able to prepare any patient for the home care setting. We include education to all caregivers in the following areas.

• Ventilator Management
• Tracheostomy Care
• Spontaneous Aerosol Therapy
• Suction Techniques
• Oxygen Therapy