Helping patients breathe easier

The respiratory therapy team at Regional West’s Heart and Lung Center is staffed 24 hours a day to provide both routine and on-call services for the region’s cardiopulmonary patients. We assess patients individually so they can receive the appropriate breathing treatment to best meet their needs. Our respiratory therapy division is an active member of the in-house trauma team, the cardiac arrest team, and the Rapid Response team.

Members of the respiratory therapy team all hold national and state registrations and certifications.

Regional West proudly partners with Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) in Omaha; Casper College in Casper, Wyoming; and Southeast Community College (SCC) in Lincoln to provide remote respiratory therapy program options. High school students, college students, or people looking to make a career change can explore options that allow them to complete their education remotely while working in Regional West’s Respiratory Therapy department. Find out more on the Remote Respiratory Therapy Program Options page.

Services include:

• Pulmonary function test (PFT) A test that measures lung volume and capacity to determine the presence of lung disease. The service is offered five days per week.
• Stress test A test that evaluates heart rhythm disturbance and the occurrence of heart disease. The service is offered seven days per week.
• Electro-encephalogram (EEG) A test that measures brain waves in order to detect seizure disorder or brain abnormality. The service is offered five days per week.
• Echocardiogram A test that measures the function of the heart and evaluates valves and chambers. The service is offered seven days per week.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) A test that evaluates heart rhythm changes. The service is offered seven days per week.
• Oxygen therapy This service is offered seven days per week.
• Mechanical ventilation The advanced treatment of lung disease or compromised respiratory status in patients ranging from newborn to adult.