ELMIRA, NY — Arnot Health has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) for 2010 under a national program designed to help patients and families make informed choices about their respiratory care. Only about 700 hospitals (roughly 14% of those in the U.S.) received this award. Arnot Health has received it since 2003.

The QCRC program was initiated by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.

To qualify for the recognition, Arnot Health provided documentation showing it meets the following conditions:
- All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
- Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours a day.
- Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures must be designated in writing.
- A doctor of medicine or osteopathy is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

The AARC’s QRCR program grew out of rising 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. A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the association’s website for consumers: http://www.yourlunghealth.org/. 2010 designees are expected to be listed there by April 15.
Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physicians’ 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.

The AARC is a membership organization representing more than 46,000 health professionals involved in respiratory care nationwide. Arnot Health’s respiratory services department  operates under the leadership of Director of Respiratory Services Kellie Rider Gable, BS, RT, RRT, CPFT and Medical Director of Respiratory Services Earl P. Robinson, M.D.

Arnot Health provides diagnostic, ambulatory, secondary and tertiary acute care, as well as rehabilitative and wellness services to the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Arnot Ogden Medical Center is an independent, not-for-profit, 256-bed tertiary medical facility with more than 300 physicians from over 50 specialties.

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