Readiness of Respiratory Therapists for High-Acuity Patient Management in Hospital Settings
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21272474Keywords:
clinical readiness, emergency response, high-acuity care, respiratory therapists, ventilator managementAbstract
This study assessed the readiness of respiratory therapists for high-acuity patient management in hospital settings, with specific focus on Cagayan Valley Medical Center. A cross-sectional readiness diagnostic design was used to determine the preparedness of respiratory therapists across clinical assessment, technical and equipment handling, emergency response, interprofessional coordination, and continuing professional development. Purposive criterion sampling was employed, and data were gathered through a validated researcher-made questionnaire. The instrument underwent expert validation and pilot testing, producing an overall Cronbach’s alpha of 0.94, which indicated excellent reliability. Data were analyzed using frequency percentage, median, interquartile range, normalized Readiness Index, Domain Priority Score, and item-level readiness priority matrix. Results showed that respiratory therapists demonstrated high overall readiness for high-acuity patient management, with clinical assessment emerging as the strongest area. However, readiness was less consistent in emergency response, ventilator alarm troubleshooting, advanced respiratory equipment handling, patient transport during unstable conditions, simulation-based training, and post-event case review. These findings suggest that the respiratory therapy workforce was generally capable of managing complex respiratory cases, but selected areas required focused improvement to ensure more consistent performance in urgent and technically demanding situations. The study recommends regular competency-based training, airway emergency simulations, ventilator troubleshooting exercises, high-flow oxygen device handling sessions, structured handoff practice, and post-critical event debriefing. Strengthening these areas may help improve respiratory therapists’ confidence, technical precision, and coordinated response in high-acuity care environments.
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