Early diagnosis of respiratory issues can help prevent them from becoming
severe! Here at Myrtue Medical Center (MMC), we provide respiratory care
close to home and in a comfortable environment.
Respiratory Therapy is a health specialty focused on the treatment, management,
and care of the lungs and respiratory system. There are many different
types of respiratory therapy, some of which include:
Long-term care
Neonatal-pediatrics
Pulmonary rehabilitation/testing
Cardiac rehabilitation/testing
Polysomnography
Critical care
The respiratory system includes your airways, lungs, and blood vessels,
as well as the muscles that power your lungs. All these different parts
work together to move oxygen throughout the body and clean out waste gases
like carbon dioxide. Some additional functions of the respiratory system include:
Allows you to talk and smell
Warms air to match your body temperature and moisturizes it to the humidity
level your body needs
Delivers oxygen to the cells in your body
Removes waste gases, including carbon dioxide, from the body when you exhale
Protects your airways from harmful substances and irritants
Respiratory Care Team
Our Respiratory Care team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
to provide patients at Myrtue Medical Center with comprehensive respiratory
care. We are lucky to have four Respiratory Therapists:
John Petsche, BA, RRT, Director of Respiratory Therapy
Susan King, CRT
Sabrina Butcher, CCP
Tawnya Holdsworth, Cardiac Technician
Shawn McLaughlin, RN/Cardiac
Susan Erlbacher BS, RRT, PSGT
This health team provides services in all areas of the hospital:
Emergency Department, Inpatient,
Birthing Center,
Outpatient Surgery + Specialty Clinic, and the
Rural Health Clinic. These specialists work closely with a patient’s doctor and care
team to diagnose and monitor their condition. They are available 24/7
and are ready to help whenever they are called!
Myrtue’s respiratory team provides additional services to patients
in the following areas:
Cardiac testing
Stress tests, cardiac monitoring (Holter + events), etc.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary testing
Sleep testing
Sleep Lab
Our sleep lab is a diagnostic center used to identify sleep disorders,
such as restless leg syndrome and obstructive and central sleep apnea,
that prevent you from achieving restful, restorative sleep. It is important
to take sleep disorders seriously because they can have a significant
impact on your overall health and well-being. If you're experiencing symptoms
of daytime sleepiness or other sleep-related issues, talk to your doctor
about the possibility of taking the ESS or other screening tests. By identifying
and treating sleep disorders early on, you can improve your quality of
life and reduce your risk of developing other health problems.
The
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a widely used tool for measuring daytime sleepiness. It consists
of 8 questions that ask individuals to rate their likelihood of falling
asleep in various situations, such as sitting to read or watch TV. The
total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating greater
daytime sleepiness.
View a sample of the ESS here.
Dr. Brian Anderson is our sleep lab’s medical director, and Susan Erlbacher is our
respiratory therapist certified in sleep testing. John Petsche is the
Director of Respiratory Therapy and oversees the lab’s operations.
Sleep Lab Accreditation with ACHC
In October 2023, MMC's Sleep Lab achieved reaccreditation from the Accreditation
Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for its Respiratory Therapy Sleep Lab.
Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization’s dedication and
commitment to meeting standards that facilitate higher levels of performance
and patient care.
“The 2023 ACHC accreditation achievement is a reflection and testament
to our sleep lab’s high-quality care and service,” stated
John Petsche, BA, RRT, Director of Respiratory Therapy. “Myrtue
Medical Center’s sleep lab has a 95% customer satisfaction rating
and a 98% scoring accuracy by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in
providing the highest standard of care to our patients.”
.jpg)
