Clay County Medical Center has been named a quality respiratory care provider under a new program aimed at making sure patients have access to respiratory care services provided by qualified respiratory therapists. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) started the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) program earlier this year to help consumers make informed choices about their health care.

Hospitals recognized under the program ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services. To qualify as a QRC provider, Clay County Medical Center met the following conditions:

• All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services and hold the CRT or RRT credential.
• Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours.
• A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

The AARC's QRCR program grew out of growing concerns among health care leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of health care services provided to patients. Hospitals that meet the QRCR requirements provide a level of respiratory care consistent with national standards and guidelines, and should be commended for their commitment to quality care.

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