The atmosphere is comprised of a vast amount of molecules such as water and gas. Twenty-one percent of the atmosphere is comprised of oxygen. When a living organism uses the oxygen to sustain itself, it becomes the fuel for life.
Breathing is the vehicle which delivers the oxygen.
For those who suffer from respiratory problems ranging from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, to heart attacks and trauma victims, each breath is a major accomplishment. The administration of medical treatments from a trained and skilled health care team, under the direction of a physician, becomes vital to the patients in order to maintain this natural exchange process. Respiratory Care Practitioners include respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians. More than 100,000 RCPs are an integral part of the U.S. health care system. The care provided includes evaluation, treatment of those with breathing disorders, patient and family education, and rehabilitation instruction.