title: Respiratory care practices and requirements for respiratory therapists in Beijing intensive care units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory therapist (RT) is a nascent career in China, so little information is available about intensive care unit (ICU) respiratory care resources and practices, requirements for RTs, and barriers to recruit RTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using survey methodology, we designed and mailed  a questionnaire to ICU supervisors and staffs at all 106 ICUs within 46 tertiary and university-affiliated hospitals in Beijing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We obtained responses from 72 of 106 ICUs. There were 644 ICU beds, 18 RTs, 464 physicians, and 1,362 nurses in these 72 ICUs. The ratios of invasive and  noninvasive ventilators to beds were 0.7/1 and 0.31/1. Nineteen ICUs were not equipped with noninvasive ventilators; 18 had started using noninvasive ventilation only within the last 5 years; 9 had only nasal cannulas for conventional oxygen therapy. Of 194 responders, 57.8% implemented spontaneous  breathing trial before extubation; 23.7% never monitored airway temperature while using heated humidifier; 56.7% changed circuits once a week; and 20.6% every 1-3 days. The survey indicated that 91.2% had heard of the profession of RT before, mostly by attending academic conferences;  86.1% believed respiratory care should be provided by RTs. Due to the paucity of trained RTs, only 9.7% (7/72) ICUs had actually recruited RTs. The specific tasks supposed to be assigned to RTs were mechanical ventilation, chest physiotherapy, and airway care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICU respiratory  care equipment and the knowledge to use them are insufficient. Important differences exist in respiratory care practice, which is mostly provided by nurses and physicians. RTs have been gradually recognized and accepted by ICU staff, while professional training and education are needed.
authors: Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Qing Yuan
authors: QY
authors: Zhan
authors: Zong An
authors: ZA
authors: Liang
authors: Mei Lien
authors: ML
authors: Tu
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Sun
authors: Xiu Li
authors: XL
authors: Yao
authors: Zu Jin
authors: ZJ
authors: Luo
authors: Jin Gen
authors: JG
authors: Xia
authors: Chen
authors: C
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D058109:Airway Management; D002681:China; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D010348:Patient Care Team; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends