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Community Hospital balances the complexities of medicine with a whole-person approach to healing. We are on the outside a friendly, warm, community hospital, but inside we’re smart, forward-thinking, strategic and the proud owners of some pretty amazing technology. Whether you visit us for a heart wellness scan, surgery or physical therapy, you’re not just a patient at Community Hospital, you are our guest.
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Respiratory Therapy was named a 2006 Innovation Award winner in healthcare service quality by Avatar International Inc. The award is based on the results of patient-guest surveys regarding clear communication of procedures and health concerns, and the high quality of medical staff. Respiratory Therapy developed a “Key Words at Key Times” program that provides for consistent and thorough information to all patient-guests.

“We spend a great deal of time communicating with our patient-guests to assure they understand what the test is, who’s ordering the test, why it was ordered, how it works, and when they can expect test results."
—Steve Crow, director of Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapy provides in-patient and out-patient cardiopulmonary, sleep and neurodiagnostics. Some of the services provided by the department include:

Aerosol treatments–Medication that is aerosolized for inhalation by a patient. This is delivered by several devices a metered dose inhaler (MDI), a dry powder inhaler (DPI), or a small volume nebulizer (SVN). Treatment is to provide medications that improve airflow and volume in patients with reactive airway disease such as asthma or lung conditions such as emphysema and bronchitis.

Lung expansion therapy–This is treatment that is specific for increasing volume of air inhaled, intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) and incentive spirometry (IS). This is to treat collapsed or closed called atelectasis or severely shallow breathing that does not eliminate carbon dioxide from the lungs.

Chest physiotherapy–Treatment to mobilize secretions in the airway. Moving secretions to larger airways where secretions can be coughed up. This is used in cystic fibrosis patients and in lung diseases that impair the normal mobilization of secretions.

Mechanical ventilation (life support)–Setup and monitoring of ventilators that either assist or breathe for a patient. This allows machines to perform the work of breathing while the patient recovers from illness or injury.

Pulmonary Diagnostics

Arterial bloodgases–Arterial blood is drawn by a Respiratory Therapist or Registered Nurse to be analyzed for acidity (pH), oxygen level (PO2), and carbon dioxide level (PCO2). This test helps to identify how well the lungs are working, providing oxygen and eliminating carbon dioxide.

Pulmonary function test–A test that measures the volume and flow of air in and out of the lungs and compares the results to predicted volume and flows determined by your age, gender and height. This is used to identify lung disease and severity.

Pulse oximetry–An instrument that measures approximate oxygen saturation, usually placed on the finger, to identify the need for additional oxygen.

Cardio-diagnostics

Electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG)–A test that monitors the electrical activity of the heart by placing 10 electrodes on the patient, one on each arm and leg, and six across the chest to identify heart rate, rhythm and any injury to the heart.
Stress testing–Serial electrocardiograms performed while the patient exercises on a treadmill until target heart rate is achieved, electrocardiograms continue through the resting recovery phase and the test is concluded when heart rate and blood pressure return to normal. This test is used to screen for coronary artery disease and physical fitness. This test may also be combined with Echocardiograms, Cardiolite scans. If the patient cannot walk on a treadmill drugs can be used to increase heart rate and/or cardiac vessel dilation.

Holter monitor recording–This is a continual recording of heart rate and rhythm for 24 hours by wearing a monitor worn around the waist and attached to 4 or 5 electrodes on your chest. While wearing the monitor you are encouraged to maintain your normal routine and schedule, returning to the hospital after 24 hours to have the monitor removed. This is to evaluate any arrhythmias that can cause your heart to pound or skip, or check the effect of medications taken to control an arrhythmia.

Symptomatic event monitoring–This is a test similar to Holter Monitoring but heart rate and rhythm are recorded only when a button is activated. This monitor is worn for several weeks to a month and data is transmitted via phone on a daily basis. This is used to capture infrequent symptoms, such as heart pounding, heart racing, or dizziness.

Neuro-diagnostics

Electroencephalograms (EEG)–This test monitors the electrical activity of the brain by placing 26 electrodes on the head. This test may include photo-stimulation, hyperventilation, and sometimes sleep deprivation. This test is used to identify seizures and abnormal neuron activity that can cause black-outs.

Brainstem evoked potentials–This test monitors the electrical activity of the brainstem by placing 4 to 5 electrodes on the head and placing headphones over the ears. This test can identify if auditory sounds are being properly transmitted to the brainstem and help identify causes for hearing loss.