The MUHC celebrates RT week!

Respiratory therapists continue to play a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic

Respiratory therapists support the cardiopulmonary health and well-being of patients from the moment they're born until the moment they take their final breath, across the continuum of care from the NICU to palliative care. Among a long list, RTs care for acutely ill patients, providing oxygen therapy, airway management, mechanical ventilation, diagnostic tests, and much more.

This year, respiratory therapy (RT) week runs from October 25 to October 30. Now, more than ever, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these highly specialized cardio-pulmonary and specialists are in the thick of the outbreak, managing ventilators, assisting with intubations, and caring for some of the sickest patients in the ICU.

“We really are at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight. When the pandemic started in March, our expertise was called upon not only to continue providing quality care to our patients, but also to prepare to care for some of the most fragile COVID-19 patients” says Chantal Piché, a Clinical specialist in respiratory therapy who has been at the MUHC for ten years. “Thanks to the team’s dedication and collaboration, we quickly adapted and reorganized three different critical care areas with their own set of challenges. Because of the nature of our work, we’re used to being exposed to the most aerosolizing procedures, but we remain vigilant on the proper usage of PPE to keep everyone safe. I am so proud to be part of this spectacular team who go above and beyond every day for every patient, even at a time when the patient volume and acuity has never been higher. Happy RT week to all the respiratory therapists at the MUHC and a special thank you to those who came to lend a hand in our ICU!”

“I would like to wish all of the spectacular RTs at the MUHC a happy Respiratory Therapy Week and offer you many thanks for your continued quest to provide exemplary care,” says Antoinette Di Re, Director of Multidisciplinary Services, Mental Health Mission and responsible for NSA trajectory. “That’s no small feat at the best of times but especially remarkable during the challenges COVID-19 brings us.  You have consistently demonstrated creativity, dedication, and resourcefulness.  Thanks to your efforts we, as part of the MUHC community, continue to do an amazing job at serving our patients by ensuring them innovative and quality patient care. I look forward to seeing what our future accomplishments will bring, as we continue to work together towards a common goal. Happy RT week and Bravo!”

Today we feature photos and messages of thanks and gratitude from colleagues of the RT team at the Glen adult site.

Peter Goldberg, Head of the MUHC Critical Care Program

On behalf of the entire Critical Care community I would like to salute the Department of Respiratory Therapy at the MUHC.

“Respiratory Therapy has a rich tradition at the MUHC in combining dedication to patient care and expertise. It has always demonstrated remarkable professionalism and never more so since March and the onset of the COVID pandemic. The response of the Respiratory Therapists has been nothing short of amazing in placing themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis, all the while bringing innovation and tremendous skill to the bedside.

Once again, thank you for all your dedication – it is deeply appreciated by all of us in the ICU and, above all, by our patients.”

Karen Kost, MD, FRCSC, Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

“As an Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon who has worked at the MUHC for over 20 years, I am incredibly fortunate to work with a team of thoughtful, dedicated, talented and innovative Respiratory Therapists. Our close collaboration stretches back over many years and involves several projects. To highlight just a few....We started the tracheostomy team together, and they have played a leading role in patient care, education, and the development of care algorithms. There is no question that this team has resulted in shorter ICU length of stay and reduced complications. When the pandemic hit the ICU and Covid patients required a tracheostomy, both Chantal Piche and Melanie Giroux were instrumental in collaborating with myself and the otolaryngology residents  to develop a safe tracheostomy technique. We spent hours, indeed days together implementing several modifications and running through several simulations. They became, and continue to be key members of our Covid-19 tracheostomy SWAT team. It is a real pleasure for me to be able to collaborate and work with such a wonderful team of individuals.”

Dr. Thierry Daloze, Anesthetist

 The "Vic" Anesthesia RT's form an essential group of health professionals: They help providing very high-level care to our patients, such as in High-Risk Obstetrics, in surgery: cardiac, vascular, transplant, complex oncology... Their professionalism, know-how, compassion, and above-and-beyond availability ("Short-Staff" is a way of life here...), all with a great smile, help greatly in comforting our patients, an essential part of their healing process. THANK YOU!

Dr. Salman Qureshi 

Congratulations to every member of the MUHC respiratory therapy department for rising to the enormous challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic through incredible personal dedication, teamwork, and professionalism.

Nadine Musampa, Physiotherapist

To a spectacular, devoted, and competent team at the RVH ICU, I would like to say a big THANK YOU and wishing you a wonderful RT WEEK. The work you do is incredibly appreciated and indispensable.

Dr. Stéphane Beaudoin, Respirologist

Respiratory therapists at the Montreal Chest Institute have unique and valuable expertise that allows tertiary clinical teams to manage patients like nowhere else in the McGill RUIS. For bronchoscopies, for example, their cutting-edge technical expertise and clinical knowledge make it possible to perform highly complex procedures. Outstanding collaborators, they contribute to the team's success through their diligence, but also through their enthusiasm and contagious good humour. In short, their dedication to the quality of care and the well-being of patients makes them an exceptional team!