Female is holding her hands over her heart, looking in pain and discomfort

Cardiopulmonary Services

Cardiopulmonary Services at Dale Medical Center

The Cardiopulmonary Services Department at Dale Medical Center is staffed with skilled respiratory therapists. The staff is trained to work with inpatients, outpatients, critical care and emergency situations.

As members of our skilled healthcare team, our respiratory therapists provide care for patients struggling with lung and/or heart conditions. They are able to provide care for our patients around the clock. They also are a vital part of the hospital's lifesaving Code Blue Team that is responsible to help handle patients' emergencies. Respiratory therapists perform diagnostic procedures to identify or monitor respiratory problems, and they help treat those problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Issues

Diagnostic techniques include obtaining and analyzing blood samples. The therapist takes blood samples and analyzes them to define levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide and other gases. The therapist also might measure the lung capacity of a patient to rule out possible impairment functions.

Our department is open 24/7 and offers the following:

Bronchodilator therapy
Oxygen therapy
Non-invasive (CPAP/BiPAP) and invasive (mechanical) ventilation management
Arterial blood gas analysis
Trach care
Pulmonary function testing (DLCO/Lung volumes)
Graded cardiac exercise stress test and nuclear testing
Holter monitoring set-up (24 hour heart monitor)
Event monitor set-up (21 day heart monitor)
Electrocardiograms (EKG)
Electrocephalograms (EEG)
Pulse oximetry study

Treatment responsibilities for a respiratory therapist include operating various types of equipment to assist with breathing or to administer oxygen. The therapist also administers medication to help lessen breathing problems and avoid respiratory infections.