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Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a graphic
record of the electrical activity of the heart
as it contracts and rests. It can be used in the
diagnosis of a number of heart conditions
including valve disorders, arrhythmias, and
heart attack.
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Stress Test
A stress test is used to record the heartbeat
during exercise. EKG and blood pressure readings
are taken before, during, and after exercise to
see how your heart responds to exercise. The
exercise can involve walking on a treadmill, or
pedaling a stationary bicycle, or you may
receive medicine to make your heart beat faster.
This test can be used in the diagnosis of heart
disease.
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Lung
Function Tests
Pulmonary
function Testing
Lung function tests (or pulmonary function
tests, PFT) evaluate how much air your lungs can
hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of
your lungs, and how well your lungs add oxygen
to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the
blood. The tests can help diagnose lung diseases
and measure the severity of lung problems that
prevent you from breathing normally.
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Arterial blood gases:
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test can measure the
levels of two gases in the blood to determine
how well the lungs are working. It evaluates the
ability of the lungs to move oxygen into the
blood and to remove carbon dioxide from the
blood.
As blood passes through the lungs, oxygen moves
into the blood while carbon dioxide moves out of
the blood into the airspace of the lungs.
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Holter
Monitor
A Holter monitor is a device worn by a patient
for a continuous period of time (usually 24-48
hours) to provide an EKG recording of the
heart's rhythm during the time it is worn. It
can be used in the diagnosis of arrhythmias.
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Event
Monitor
An event monitor is a device used by a patient
for a 30 day period, to provide an EKG recording
of the heart's rhythm. It can be activated when
the patient feels chest pain, dizziness or an
irregular heartbeat coming on and can be used in
the diagnosis of arrhythmias.
What is a Respiratory
therapist?
R
espiratory
Therapists are a vital member of the health care
team. They work alongside doctors and nurses to
assure the adequacy of the respiratory system. The
Respiratory Therapist works with patients of all
ages- from the premature infant with underdeveloped
lungs to the eldest elderly suffering the effects of
chronic lung disease. Anyone of any age in need of
help in the treatment or prevention of lung disease
is in need of the services of a Respiratory
Therapist
Maine Coast Memorial
Hospital’s full service Cardio Pulmonary department treats
patients with breathing problems and offers a complete range of
inpatient, outpatient diagnostic testing and analysis. We
perform a number of procedures daily to assist physicians in
accurately diagnosing illnesses and conditions.
Respiratory Therapy
concentrates upon the treatment and care of those patients whose
ability to breathe has been compromised through lifestyle,
disease or accident.
The department is staffed 7
days a week by licensed/registered therapist. The cardio
pulmonary staff treats you from the emergency room, Intensive
care unit, outpatient surgery, out patient pulmonary
rehabilitation to discharge from our facility.
Competency:
The capability of each respiratory
care practitioner is verified annually through extension skills
testing.
Continuing Education:
Each member of our clinical team is required to augment their
professional competence by accumulation 30 continuing education
credits every 2 years.
