Respiratory Therapy Services

Respiratory therapists provide care to people in:

• The hospital
• Your community and clinics

 We offer a variety of respiratory services in your area:

• Hospital (Acute) Respiratory Services
• Pulmonary Diagnostic Respiratory Services
• Community Respiratory Services
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services
• Asthma Care Services
• Home Oxygen Program Services
   

• How to use a Twisthaler
• How to use a Turbuhaler
• How to insert a Respimat Cartridge
• How to use a Respimat
• How to use a metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with Spacer/Chamber
• How to use an Handihaler
• How to use a Genuair
• How to use an Ellipta
• How to use a Diskus
• How to use a Breezhaler
• Directions for using a Nebulizer
   

• Ready to quit smoking?
• British Columbia Lung Association
• HealthLinkBC Health Topics
• Self-Management British Columbia
• Tobacco Reduction
• Chronic Disease Management Services
• Long-term Care
   

Special tests or exams (pulmonary diagnostics) may be ordered by your physician or nurse practitioner to:

• determine your lung or breathing ability and related health risk
• diagnose a lung health condition, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• screen for sleep apnea and other sleep disorder breathing

These tests are typically done by respiratory therapists and other specialists working in hospital-based pulmonary function diagnostic labs.
 

For individuals living with a lung health condition such as asthma or COPD, respiratory therapists working in asthma care clinics, pulmonary rehabilitation and other community programs help you and your family with the knowledge, skills and resource information necessary to assist with your ongoing self-management. Pulmonary rehabilitation services combine education and exercise for your greatest health benefit. These services may be offered individually or in groups where you can learn from staff and also others like yourself.

Oxygen therapy is sometimes necessary when your lungs are not able to provide enough oxygen to the blood for the body to use. Through a referral from your physician or nurse practitioner, home oxygen and subsidy options are available for eligible residents who may have asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, occupational lung disease, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis or congestive heart failure, and meet the medical and non-medical criteria.

Some individuals may need to remain on oxygen therapy, whereas others may only need it for a short time. A respiratory therapist will re-assess your eligibility over time. 
 

• You must be a B.C. resident for more than three months
• You must be eligible for Medical Services Plan coverage and have a valid B.C. personal health number (PHN)
• You must reside in the Interior Health region for more than six months of the calendar year
• You don’t reside in a facility governed by the Hospital Act
• You must meet B.C. Home Oxygen Program medical eligibility criteria for low blood oxygen levels
• You must be capable of handling oxygen at home (note: it is unsafe to smoke around oxygen)
• Your referral must be signed by your physician or nurse practitioner

Ask your physician or nurse practitioner for more information