JCH Respiratory Therapy
SLEEP STUDIES PROGRAM
Johnson County Hospital has been assisting people for many years with the treatment and testing for a condition called Sleep Apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that occurs when a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, hundreds of times. This means the brain---and the rest of the body—may not get enough oxygen. 4 % to 5% of the population have sleep apnea.
There are two types of sleep apnea:
OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses down.
CENTRAL SLEEP APNEA: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked, but the brain fails to signal the lungs to breathe, due to instability in the respiratory control center.
Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Your doctor can perform a physical and determine if you may suffer from sleep apnea. An overnight sleep study at JCH will be scheduled by Respiratory Therapy. JCH has a room designed to resemble a bedroom, we want you to be able to relax and feel at home. A sleep tech from Rural Sleep Solutions will perform the study at JCH. A pulmonologist will read your study and recommend treatment. Respiratory Therapy will assist you with your CPAP set up.
EEG
An EEG, or electroencephalogram, is a test that can help diagnose epilepsy. During an EEG, the electrical signals of the brain are recorded. This electrical activity is detected by electrodes, or sensors, placed on the patient’s scalp and transmitted to a machine that records the activity. This procedure is performed by an EEG tech. During the test, you will lie down on the bed. You will be asked to relax and lie first with your eyes open, then later with them closed. You may be asked to breathe deeply and rapidly—both of these activities may produce changes in the brain-wave patterns. A neurologist will examine the EEG recording for abnormalities in the brain-wave pattern, which may reflect diseases of the nervous system.
SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM
If you want to quit we are ready to help. RT can provide guidance and education to assist you in achieving a positive outcome. Call RT for written material or just drop in for one on one encouragement.
CARDIAC MONITORING
JCH has portable devices that are about the size of a cell phone that are used to continuously monitor the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours up to 30 days. JCH offers this as an outpatient service and all results are interpreted by a cardiologist of your choice.
PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS
Pulmonary functions tests (PFTs) are a group of tests that measure how well a person’s lungs are working and can help determine disease progression by tracking changes in lung function over time.
A complete PFT series includes:
- Spirometry-----measures the amount and speed of air flow
- Plethysmography----or Helium dilution- measures how much air is in the lungs.
- Diffusion tests and arterial blood gases—measure how well the lungs are able to exchange gases with the blood.
Not every test is included every time PFT’S are done. Spirometry , which is the easiest test to do is done most often. The PFT results are read and interpreted by Dr. Ellen Miller, pulmonologist.
PULMONARY CLINIC
Dr. Ellen Miller, a pulmonologist from Lincoln, provides clinic services twice per month . Dr Miller consults with patients at JCH regarding lung diseases and conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia emphysema and cancer. Dr Miller evaluates and diagnoses breathing problems and evaluates sleep apnea.
The Respiratory Therapy staff at JCH wants to keep everyone “Breathing Easy”. If you would like more information about our Respiratory Therapy Dept please contact:
Janice Gerdes, CRTT
Respiratory Therapy Supervisor
402-335-3361
Staff
Janice is the respiratory therapist at JCH. She received her respiratory training from Immanuel School of Respiratory Therapy. For more information about Janice, please click her picture.
