Avera Home Respiratory Services

For most people, breathing is second nature, an involuntary reflex. But for the thousands of Americans who suffer from respiratory problems, each breath is a major accomplishment. Avera Home Respiratory Services improves the patients’ overall quality of life by helping with breathing. Respiratory education provided by Avera respiratory therapists also allows the patient to be involved in health care decisions.

Avera Home Respiratory Services staff members assist with arranging aerosol therapy, home oxygen therapy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, and they provide education on how to use and maintain the devices. Staff members will assess patients’ lung auscultation, blood pressure, heart rates and respiratory rates in the home.

Equipment Available

• Oxygen concentrators
• Liquid oxygen
• Portable aluminum cylinders
• Aerosol compressors
• CPAP units

Respiratory Therapy Safety Tips

Safety for patients, caregivers and visitors is very important. Following are several tips to remember when using Avera Home Respiratory Therapy.

• If a patient is prescribed oxygen therapy, neither the patient nor anyone near the patient should smoke.
• Because oxygen is flammable, the patient should stay at least five feet away from gas stoves, lighted fireplaces, candles or any other open flame.  Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and let the fire department know that the
  patient has oxygen services in his or her home.
• Make sure the cylinder of oxygen is in its stand or secured to something solid; the high pressure tank can act like a rocket if punctured or damaged.
• Don’t overload an electrical system with the use of equipment. Only use grounded outlets and avoid extension cords.
• Clean respiratory equipment on a regular basis.
• Preventing infections helps the patient stay as healthy as possible. Hand-washing is the single most important thing for the patient and care givers to perform on a routine basis.