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RESPIRATORY THERAPY

OUR SERVICES

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HEATHER HOFFERD RRT

Registered Respiratory Therapist

MEET YOUR THERAPIST

As a Respiratory therapist, I see just how vital lung health is as we do not notice our breathing until it is compromised. Short- term, long-term, and permanent concerns can affect your life drastically when you still need to work and provide for your family. Sometimes lungs can heal and improve, but much of the damage is irreversible.

 

Prevention, early detection and education are critical. If you do not have a family doctor, I can help. With a respiratory assessment and Spirometry test, I can guide you to better breathing control, discuss with your pharmacist what inhaled medications may help you, then provide you with on-going follow-up and support to help you get back on track and living your best life.

RESPIRATORY THERAPY

Respiratory Therapists are certified medical professionals who specialize in caring for the lungs and respiratory system.

 

Respiratory Therapy with Strategic Health Solutions offers breathing assessments, inhaled medication education and review, lung disease or injury screening and education (Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Occupational Exposure Injury, etc), exercise recommendations, development of coping mechanisms to help you get through your day, and progress monitoring. This form of therapy will help you understand how to best manage your illness, prevent your symptoms, and notify you when you should contact your doctor.  

SPIROMETRY

Spirometry is one of the most commonly ordered tests of your lung function. The spirometer measures how much air you can quickly blow out of your lungs. This test is done by having you take in a deep breath and then, as fast as you can, blow out all of the air. You will be blowing into a tube connected to a machine (spirometer). To get the “best” test result, the test is repeated three times minimum to obtain reproducible results. You will be given a rest between tests. It can take practice to be able to do a spirometry test well. The Respiratory Therapist will work with you to learn how to do the test correctly. It usually takes 10-15 minutes to complete this test.

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Spirometry can be used for:

  • Compare your lung function with known standards that show how well your lungs should be working.

  • Measure the effect of chronic diseases such as Asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), and lung fibrosis on lung function.

  • Identify early changes in lung function

  • Detect narrowing in the airways.

  • Show whether exposure to substances in your home or workplace may have harmed your lungs.

    • Establishing a baseline of lung function.

    • Ongoing follow-up testing to monitor for any lung changes during employment, post exposures, assess fitness for work, assess concerns with changes in breathing and shortness of breath

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SPIROMETRY TESTING

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE DOING A SPIROMETRY TEST?

  • You may be asked not to take your breathing medicines before this test.

  • Instructions will be given on how to do this test. If you do not understand the instructions, ask the staff to repeat them.

  • It takes effort to do this test and you may become tired. This is expected.

  • You may become light-headed or dizzy during this test, immediately stop blowing and let the staff know

SPIROMETRY TESTING

TO GET THE MOST ACCURATE RESULTS FROM YOUR BREATHING TESTS:

  • Do not smoke for at least 1 hour before the test.

  • Do not drink alcohol for at least 4 hours before the test.

  • Do not exercise heavily for at least 30 minutes before the test.

  • Do not wear tight clothing that makes it difficult for you to take a deep breath.

  • Do not eat a large meal within 2 hours before the test.

  • Ask your health care provider if there are any medicines that you should not take on the day of your test.

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