May 12, 2010 – For immediate release

The Nebraska Heart Hospital has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a national program aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. Approximately 15 percent of the hospitals in the U.S. applied for and received this award. This award marks the sixth year in a row that the Nebraska Heart Hospital has received this recognition.

The QRCR program was started by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory care. Hospitals earning the QRCR designation ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services.

To qualify for the recognition, the Nebraska Heart Hospital provided documentation showing it meets the following conditions:

*All respiratory therapists employed by the hospital to deliver bedside respiratory care
services are either legally recognized by the state as competent to provide respiratory
care services or hold the CRT or RRT credential.
*Respiratory therapists are available 24 hours a day.
*Personnel qualified to perform specific respiratory procedures and the amount of
supervision required to carry out specific procedures must be designated in writing.
*A physician is designated as medical director of respiratory care services.

“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,” says Jeff Gonzalez, Director of Clinic Services for Nebraska Heart Institute & Heart Hospital. “Hospitals 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.” A list of QRCR hospitals is maintained at the association’s website for consumers. The website can be found at www.yourlunghealth.org.

Respiratory therapists are specially trained health care professionals who work under physician’s orders to provide a wide range of breathing treatments and other services to people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, AIDS and other lung or lung-related conditions. They also care for premature infants and are key members of lifesaving response teams charged with handling medical emergencies.

For more information, contact:
J Hoffman
Nebraska Heart Institute & Heart Hospital
402-328-3940
jhoffman@neheart.com