Brookings Health System Named Quality Respiratory Care Provider

  • February 23, 2012

Members of Brookings Health System’s respiratory care department stand with the certificate designating Brookings Health System as a quality respiratory care provider. From left: Judy Duffy, Janie Isham, Kelly Maser, Jean Steele, and Kara Drew.
Members of Brookings Health System’s respiratory care department stand with the certificate designating Brookings Health System as a quality respiratory care provider. From left: Judy Duffy, Janie Isham, Kelly Maser, Jean Steele, and Kara Drew.

Brookings Health System has been named a quality respiratory care provider under a new program aimed at making sure residents cared for by home care organizations have access to respiratory care services provided by qualified respiratory therapists.

The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) started the Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) program in 2003 to help consumers make informed choices about their health care. The program initially enrolled hospitals that agreed to ensure patient safety by adhering to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services. Home care organizations were added to the program a year later, and the Association has also added long-term care facilities.

To qualify for the recognition, Brookings Health System met the following conditions:

  • All respiratory therapists employed by the Durable Medical Equipment/Home Health Agency to deliver home respiratory therapy services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory therapy services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
  • Respiratory therapists are available to patients 24 hours every day.
  • Other personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory therapy procedures, and the amount of supervision required for them to perform these specific procedures, must be designated in writing.
  • The Durable Medical Equipment/Home Health Agency must be accredited by a nationally recognized, third party accreditation organization.

The AARC’s QRCR program grew out of growing concerns among health care leaders and the general public regarding the safety and quality of health care services provided to patients. Organizations 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.

For more information on Brookings Health System respiratory care or home health services, please visit www.brookingshealth.org.

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed Brookview Manor nursing home, and Brookhaven Estates apartments. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and extended care services. The emergency room is staffed 24 hours a day and provides around the clock medical-nursing care for patient needs ranging from minor injuries to life threatening crises. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.