Dr. McDonald(left), the medical director for Respiratory Services at Stephens County Hospital, Jim Halsey, RRT and department manager (center) along with Ed Gambrell, Hospital Administrator share in the “Quality Respiratory Care Provider” presentation.

STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL
NAMED “QUALITY RESPIRATORY CARE PROVIDER"

Jim Halsey - The Toccoa Record

Stephens County Hospital has been named a quality respiratory care provider under a new program aimed at making sure patients have access to respiratory care services provided by qualified respiratory therapist.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) started the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) program earlier this year to help consumers make informed choices about their health care. Hospitals recognized under the program ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services. To qualify for the designation, Stephens County Hospital met the following conditions:

• All respiratory therapist employed by Stephens County Hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the State of Georgia as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
• Respiratory therapist are available 24 hours.
• Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures must be designated in writing.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

The AARC’s QRCR program grew out of growing concerns among health care leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of health care services provided to patients. Hospital that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. Dr. Harry C. McDonald services as the Medical Director for Respiratory Care at Stephens County Hospital.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physician’s orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies. The AARC is a membership organization representing more than 30,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide.