Unlocking the Secrets of Breathing: An Enthusiastic Chat with a Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapy has literally made breathing our job. It is such a passive process, that when we are breathing easy, we rarely notice it. When it becomes hard, the anxiety it creates is scary. It is important to have individuals around that take patient breathing seriously, but even more - love that they are helping people during those critical moments.

Today, we engage in an enlightening conversation with a respiratory therapist who reveals key elements of respiratory health, the joy of patient interactions, and the important role they play in helping people breathe easier.

A Day in the Life - Kassy Gehrls, RRT, Manager of Sanford Health Equip Grand Forks, ND.

Interviewer: "Hello Kassy! Thank you for agreeing to be part of this interview. You are officially the first interview we have done for our blog!

Kassy: "YAY! I love this."

Interviewer: "I want to start by talking about your role and background. What got you into respiratory therapy in the first place?"

Kassy: "I was going to school and had no idea what I wanted to do. I had two grandparents pass away from respiratory illnesses, and felt like it was too important to not go into. I enrolled that fall."

Interviewer: "Wow. You really saw firsthand how important respiratory health is. I love that you found your calling because of your family!"

Kassy: "I had actually dropped out of college and told my mom I was going to keep having ice cream dates with my grandpa because I knew he was sick. We must have had 100's of ice creams sandwiches before he passed away. I just knew I was never going to have that time back."

Interviewer: "I wish that my answer was as heartfelt as that... but at the end of the day, I believe we both truly love what we do. "

Kassy: "You have got to find that passion."

Interviewer: "You have an interesting background that has put you in touch with patients in many different areas. What is some of the best advice you give patients regarding respiratory health?"

Kassy: "I feel like the one thing that I repeatedly say is taking care of yourself now is going to help yourself in the future. Taking this medication and doing this therapy now - you will thank yourself later. This is really applicable for younger patients wearing CPAP therapy. I have individuals in their 20's that struggle with the stigma they feel towards wearing a mask at night. I keep reminding them that the goal is to feel better, and that I have had so many patients say that they will never go without once they start"

Interviewer: "It is true! Even though I am not in as much direct patient care anymore, I feel like it is nicotine cessation that is coming up more and more around me in conversation. It is cool that people associate respiratory therapy with being able to help them when they are looking to quit."

Kassy hard at work - Sanford Health Equip

Understanding Patient Experiences

Communication is an essential part of a respiratory therapist's role. They have the unique opportunity to positively influence patients' lives.

Kassy: "In DME (durable medical equipment), a lot of what we do is about their physical health, but also their financial health. Patients' costs are tough, and providing them resources and options is critical if we want them to use their therapy. We are also going into their home. We get a unique view that others do not: Do they get meals? Do they need assistive devices? We are doing entire psychosocial examinations. It is much more than just providing equipment and supplies."

"You are getting to see everything. We need a non-judgemental eye, because they are trusting you in their most personal and private spaces."

Interviewer: "I love that you touched on financial barriers. What are the most useful tools to help a patient through that fear?"

Kassy: "I have had patients lose their job or parents lose their job while they were in the middle of very expensive care. I always start by reminding them to take care of themselves first. Explanation and transparency is important on patient bills. Getting referrals for things like Medicaid and waiver programs are invaluable. Most hospitals do have financial assistance programs as well. Make sure you are prepared with how patients can find and fill out those documents and what the requirements are. Every bit helps!"

Innovations in Respiratory Therapy

Interviewer: "Let's talk about exciting stuff. What are you loving and geeking out about in your job?"

Kassy: "I have been starting to use AI more. It has been fun to see what it generates for templates and letters. We are looking at options with interactive AI that will examine prescriptions to help with efficiency - not there yet, but exciting!"

"There are also so many more automodes in equipment. If you think of sleep, it hopefully will help patients get care quicker."

Interviewer: "Advancements in technology are revolutionizing respiratory care. For instance, telehealth has made it possible for RTs to provide care remotely, which ensures ongoing support for patients unable to visit the hospital. This is particularly beneficial for those in rural areas or with mobility limitations."

Kassy: "And most of our patients are rural. These innovations enable real-time monitoring and personalized treatment plans."

The Importance of Education

Interviewer: "How important do you think it is for respiratory therapists to be patient educators?"

Kassy: "For patients, knowledge is power. We fill in the gaps that may have been left. Patients are more willing to do their therapy and treatment if they understand why. Time is a commodity for everybody, but if we can bridge the gap, it is only beneficial."

Interviewer: "You are so right. Understanding WHY they are doing something is one of the basic elements of Adult Education. It really does impact whether or not they will do what is being asked of them!"

“When patients truly understand their condition, they make informed choices."

Kassy: "You have to meet patients where they are. Some patients will take longer to learn and they will call more. The fact that they want to understand is wonderful and we need to leverage that."

Interviewer: "Do you think that Respiratory Therapists need to keep getting educated?"

Kassy: "Yes. Things change so quickly in healthcare. Staying up to date keeps us in the game and providing more efficiencies and options. We serve rural communities. How do we best serve them?"

Interviewer: "I truly believe it is important because there is always someone smarter than me!"

The Joy of Patient Relationships

The relationships that respiratory therapists build with their patients are incredibly rewarding.

Strong bonds with patients create an environment of trust and comfort. This connection is vital for delivering the best care, and the appreciation expressed by patients continually motivates RTs to strive for excellence.

Interviewer: "The joy of patient-relationships - how have those relationships impacted you and made you appreciate this calling?"

Kassy: "I had a patient that had a double lung transplant. She had an RT call me from the hospital to let me know she survived her transplant. I had worked with her in the home for two years. I could not believe she thought of me. It had such an impact. Even in a critical place, they are still appreciative of the care we provide them. We make such an impact on their lives. I have had Christmas cookies, etc. We don't need patients to bring us things, but it is the little things and acts of service that tell us that we make an impact.

Final Thoughts

Interviewer: "What is it about this career that keeps you in it and advocating for it? I know you are currently a delegate on the North Dakota Society's board."

Kassy: "I found my home in patient education. I don't really desire going back to inpatient respiratory care, but that is another great thing about being a RT. I love that I found my place in the home side of patient care but understand there are so many areas you can work in with this degree. There are so many growth opportunities in respiratory therapy. Stay tuned for APRT! That is going to be a game-changer for patient care."

A big thank you to Kassy Gehrls for speaking to us about her career! Keep up the great work!