UCGH Respiratory Care

Devices and Treatments Provided by UCGH Respiratory Care

Various treatments and devices are available to help restore patients to normal breathing. Following is a brief description of each to help you plan for your visit.

Treatments include:

• Smoking cessation - Even when someone knows they should quit smoking, doing so is difficult. Most people need help and UCGH Respiratory Specialists know this. They will help you determine the best program for you and guide you along the way. Smoking cessation is especially necessary if someone has developed COPD, emphysema, bronchitis, or some other lung disorder or disease. You do not have to face this alone. We can help.
• Asthma education - Managing Asthma often requires a combination of medication and knowledge. Lifestyle changes can help, but knowing when to use an inhaler, how to best use one, and what kind also plays a role. Your UCGH Respiratory Care Specialist will guide you in managing this difficult condition.
• COPD monitoring, management and treatment - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (also known as Chronic Pulmonary Disease) can be life-threatening if untreated.
• Sleep Apnea - During the night, breathing  may be obstructed. In the least, the person suffering from sleep apnea often wakes feeling as though they did not rest at all. With the caring assistance of UCGH staff, you will learn how to manage and monitor yourself so that you feel better.

Devices which May be Used in Your Treatment

In coordination with care through your primary-care provider, the UCGH Respiratory Care department strives to ensure that whatever is need to help you breath better, we are there for you. In reaching this goal, we may use a variety of devices.

We would like our patients to understand a bit about these devices prior to receiving treatment. This will help them relax during their treatment, which will make the treatment easier for them. Some of the devices which may be used in your respiratory treatment at Union County General Hospital include:

• CPAP - One of the most commonly recognized devices for breathing is the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP machine. It delivers a steady flow of oxygen to the patient via a breathing mask which may seat over just the nostrils or both the nose and mouth. The mask ensures the patient receives the right amount of oxygen with each breath.
• Nebulizer - Nebulizers allow patients to breath oxygen and medications via a small mask or tube. This allows vaporized medications to get into the lungs and airways where they will be most effective.
• BiPAP - When a patient cannot breath unassisted, the Bi-Level Positive Air Pressure machine or BiPAP is used. This device allows maximum efficiency in getting oxygen into the lungs and bloodstream.
• Ventilator - Ventilators allow continuous or intermittent air flow to patients and may be used in the hospital, at home, or during transportation.
• Concentrator - As the name implies, a concentrator is a device which delivers concentrated oxygen to a patient.

UCGH Respiratory Specialists Care

Perhaps the nicest thing about being a hospital in a close-knit community like Union County and Clayton is the level of care that goes into our care.

When you are treated by our respiratory therapists and nurses, you will find that they may be firm with you, but that is because they care. They are there to make sure that your breathing problems are managed and you get to feeling better as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions for them during your treatment, be sure to ask. If you need to set an appointment, call us today at 575.374.7021.