"Just breathe" are the lyrics to a song made popular by Faith Hill, but for 35 million Americans being able to "just breathe" isn't that simple. Asthma, cardiovascular disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) — bronchitis and emphysema — are the leading chronic respiratory diseases diagnosed and treated by respiratory therapists, including those on staff in Cardiopulmonary Services at Speare Memorial Hospital.

Nationally recognized for Quality Respiratory Care by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), SMH's Cardiopulmonary Services staff of eight respiratory care practitioners/registered respiratory therapists provide the full range of cardiopulmonary diagnosis, treatment and education for respiratory illness. They also care for pediatric patients and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.

"Applying for and receiving recognition for quality respiratory care is important to a hospital our size as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to quality patient care," says Peter Gallagher, director of cardiopulmonary services at Speare Memorial Hospital. "It also documents we provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines."

Approximately 10 percent of the hospitals in the United States apply for and receive AARC award. This is the fifth time Speare Memorial Hospital has received the award since the program's inception in 2003. To qualify for recognition as a Quality Respiratory Care facility, Speare Memorial Hospital provided documentation showing it meets all of the following conditions:

· All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the Certified Respiratory Therapist or Registered Respiratory Therapist credential.

· Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours a day.

· 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.

Under the medical direction of Dr. Jeffrey Reisert, helping patients breathe easier is at the heart of everything SMH's respiratory therapists do. This includes Asthma and inhaler education, smoking cessation, exercise stress testing, diagnostic cardiology and non-invasive cardiology, such as out-patient cardiac monitoring and EKQ testing (electrocardiogram). Available 24 hours a day, SMH's respiratory therapists all have associate degrees, are licensed by the state of New Hampshire and registered wit the National Board of Respiratory Care. Some have advanced degrees in related fields and are actively involved in professional development organizations and boards.

For more information about Cardiopulmonary Services available at Speare Memorial Hospital call 238-2288.