6 Safety Requirements Respiratory Therapists Must Follow
Since Respiratory Therapists work at the intersection of patient airways and hospital machines, it’s crucial to follow proper safety requirements to keep patients safe. Safety protocols include steps to prevent infection, ensure proper function of equipment and devices, maintain correct oxygen and gas levels, and follow compliance regulations. Adhering to these rules also prevents occupational hazards and minimizes the liability to the medical facility.
1. RTs Follow Strict Infection Control Protocols
As a Respiratory Therapist, you work with airways, lungs, and machines, and perform procedures that can generate aerosols and spread airborne pathogens; it’s imperative that you follow proper infection control procedures. Before and after each patient, wash your hands, use gloves, and disinfect equipment and tools. But infection control doesn’t stop there. If you have a patient who is on a ventilator, you must clean their mouth to prevent the development of bacteria, which can easily travel to the lungs and cause infection. Replace humidifier and bacterial/viral filters every 24 hours or sooner if visibly soiled or wet. Always replace filters between patients and replace filters immediately if:
- There is visible moisture buildup
- Filter becomes clogged
- Airway pressures increase unexpectedly
- Patient is suspected of having a highly contagious infection
2. Respiratory Therapy Equipment Maintenance and Safety
Your patients’ lives literally depend on the proper function of respiratory machines, so it’s important to keep them in working order. Inspect your equipment daily for possible breaks or malfunctions. Ensure the correct ventilator setup, calibration, and alarm settings. Make sure the oxygen delivery systems are working safely without leaks. Always check oxygen tanks for cracks or signs of damage. When handling tanks, make sure they are placed upright and away from any open flames or heat sources. Don’t use other electrical devices near an oxygen tank and be sure to instruct your patients to do the same, if they must travel with one. Be sure that all oxygen tanks are labeled properly and set to the correct levels for each individual patient.
3. Respiratory Patient Safety
As with all patient protocols, confirm identity, condition, and procedure before beginning any treatment. Your patients may include ICU patients, premature infants, the elderly, or people with chronic lung disease. All of these populations are likely to have weakened immune systems where even minor infections can become life-threatening. Infection control is paramount, but there are other precautions you can take to keep patients safe. Double-check medication dosages and make sure they are properly positioned before administering treatment or hooking them up to equipment to prevent bodily injury or aspiration. Assess, document, and monitor oxygen saturation and vital signs through the procedure. Look for signs of dizziness, low oxygen levels, or equipment-related issues. Be sure to report any changes in your patients immediately.
4. Respiratory Therapist Personal Safety
Always wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when providing patient care. This includes a face mask, gloves, goggles and even a lab coat or apron to prevent germs or viruses from spreading to your body or clothing. To protect yourself, be aware of chemicals or sterilants that may be harmful and wear a mask to prevent aspiration of these or viruses. And be sure to use proper body mechanics when moving patients.
5. Legal and Professional Compliance for RTs
As a Respiratory Therapist, you are required to obtain a license and keep it in good standing. You must also follow the rules of your medical facility, which includes accurately documenting patient interactions, maintaining confidentiality, and preventing fraud in billing. You cannot act outside of your scope of practice, and you must report any instances of misconduct. Failure to comply with federal and institutional mandates can result in the loss of your job or license.
6. Respiratory Therapy Medical Record Accuracy
Accurate medical records are critical to patient safety and success. As your patient switches hands from you to the next therapist on the next shift, it’s important for that caretaker to know what happened previously. This means communicating with them about respiratory events that occurred, equipment settings, and treatments. In the record, you should note any new diagnoses or changes in treatment, if the patient needed to be put on a ventilator, or any notes the doctor may have. This ensures continuity of care and compliance and protection on the part of your facility.
Are you ready to begin a career in respiratory therapy? Charter College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy that can prepare you for an entry-level job RT job. Our program can be completed online with in-person labs and a clinical practicum in your area. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.