Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center Receives National Recognition for Respiratory Care

Houma – Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, in Houma, La., has received Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) from the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). LJCMC has continually held this recognition since 2008.

About 700 hospitals in the United States, or approximately 15 percent, have applied for and received this award.

"Superior respiratory care is essential to our overall delivery of high-quality healthcare," said Rhonda Green, LJCMC CEO. "Earning QRCR illustrates that our respiratory care is among the best in the nation." Started in 2003 by AARC, this national recognition program helps patients and families identify hospitals using qualified respiratory therapists and make informed decisions about the quality of hospitals' respiratory care services. To ensure patient safety, hospitals with QRCR designation agree to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.

To receive QRCR, Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center met the following conditions:

• All respiratory therapists delivering bedside respiratory care are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide such care or hold the certified respiratory therapist (CRT) or registered respiratory therapist (RRT) credential.
• Respiratory therapists 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.
• Hospital policy prohibits the routine delivery of medicated aerosol treatments using small volume nebulizers, metered dose inhalers or intermittent positive pressure treatments to multiple patients simultaneously. Policy defines circumstances under which this practice is permitted.
• The hospital periodically compares performance of its respiratory department on efficiency and quality with similar departments to identify and to achieve best practice.

The QRCR program grew out of growing concerns of healthcare leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of healthcare services provided to patients. Hospitals that meet QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines and should be commended for their commitment to quality care. Visit www.YourLungHealth.org for a list of QRCR hospitals.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained healthcare 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 cancers, AIDS and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of live-saving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.

The AARC is a membership organization representing more than 50,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide.