Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapy provides a variety of respiratory care treatments and education for patients of all ages. Respiratory therapy is a support service working with physician clinics, nursing, the emergency department and other medical center departments to deliver the most state-of-the-art health care to patients at Clarke County Hospital. All services require an order from your physician. It is also recommended that you bring your medication list with you.
Some of the therapies and education provided are:
- Nebulizer therapy
- Metered Dose Inhaler therapy (MDI)
- Acapella therapy
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Patient Education Including: Nebulizer & metered dose inhaler use, Inhaler spacer instruction, Peak flow monitoring instruction, COPD, asthma, and other lung diseases, Sleep disorders
Pulmonary Function Testing
What are pulmonary function tests?
Pulmonary function tests are a series of measurements designed to tell your doctor how well your lungs are functioning. They help determine the presence of lung abnormalities, progression of lung disease and a course of therapy and treatment. Most pulmonary function tests include spirometry, which requires patients to breathe through a mouthpiece to record the amount of air breathed in and out.
How will the tests help me?
They will help your doctor diagnose lung problems (such as asthma and emphysema).
They will also help your doctor plan your treatment and evaluate the effectiveness of your current medications.
How long does it take?
A screening test may take about 30 minutes. A complete test (full PFT) will take from 1-2 hours.
Day of the Test
- Do not smoke 4 hours before the test.
- Wear loose clothing so you may breathe comfortably.
- Do not eat a big meal before the test.
- Discontinue inhaled/nebulizer medication for 4-6 hours before the test.
For more information on the CCH Pulmonary Function Test, please click HERE
Meet our Respiratory Therapist
“My goal at Clarke County Hospital is to help patients breathe easier, whether in emergent or non-emergent situations, and to educate them on managing their respiratory conditions so they can live life to their fullest potential.”
Maria Chapman, RRT, enlisted in the United States Air Force during her senior year of high school and proudly served in the Iowa Air National Guard for 6 years. Maria graduated from Southeastern Community College in 2014 for Respiratory Therapy. Maria has been at Clarke County Hospital for almost 8 years. She works on the Med Surg floor and in the ER to help patients with breathing difficulties. She also conducts pulmonary function tests and pulmonary rehab with outpatients.
Maria enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. Most of that time is spent at her daughters’ sporting events, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling and softball.
