Respiratory Therapy Department

Specialized respiratory care for each child — every breath, every day.

Our pediatric Respiratory Therapy team is dedicated to keeping your child safe, comfortable, and breathing well. From ventilator management to airway clearance, we provide around-the-clock, individualized respiratory care for children with complex and chronic respiratory needs.

CHC is the largest, one-of-a-kind ventilator facility for up to 50+ children.

WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY

Comprehensive pediatric respiratory services,

delivered with care.

Our Respiratory Therapists are present every day, providing a full range of specialized services for children with chronic and complex respiratory conditions.

Here is what each child’s care team does to keep them safe and supported:

Tracheostomy Care

Expert, gentle care for children with tracheostomies, including routine tube changes, site care, and emergency preparedness at all times.

Aerosol & Medication Therapy

Delivery of inhaled medications and treatments to help open airways, reduce inflammation, and support lung health.

Emergency Readiness

Our team maintains full emergency airway equipment at bedside and is trained to respond rapidly and effectively to any respiratory emergency.

Ventilator Management

Monitoring, adjusting, and troubleshooting advanced pediatric ventilators to ensure your child receives safe, stable breathing support at all times.

Respiratory Assessments

Regular, thorough evaluations of your child’s breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and lung sounds, to catch any changes early.

Airway Clearance Therapy

Personalized treatments to help loosen and clear secretions from your child’s airway, reducing the risk of infections and breathing complications.

Hyperinflation Therapy

The technique of delivering volumes of air greater than normal tidal breathing, used to improve lung compliance and oxygenation.

TECHNOLOGY & EQUIPMENT

Advanced pediatric respiratory technology — explained.

CHC’s Respiratory Therapy team uses some of the most advanced respiratory care technology available for children. We know that seeing this equipment for the first time can feel intimidating.

Here is a plain-language guide to what each type of technology does for your child and why it matters.

BREATHING SUPPORT

Mechanical Ventilation Devices

Advanced pediatric ventilators provide long-term breathing support for children with chronic respiratory failure. Each child’s settings are carefully individualized and continuously monitored.

  • Hamilton C-1 Ventilator
  • Customized Settings Per User
  • Waveform Monitoring

CONTINUOUS MONITORING

Patient Monitoring Systems

Your child is monitored continuously so our team can detect even subtle changes in breathing or oxygen levels and respond quickly — before a small change becomes a serious concern.

  • Pulse Oximetry
  • End-tidal CO2 Monitoring
  • Cardiorespiratory Monitors

AIRWAY CLEARANCE

Secretion Management Devices

Children who have difficulty coughing or clearing mucus on their own benefit from specialized airway clearance devices that gently mobilize secretions and keep airways open.

  • Vest Therapy (HFCWO)
  • Cough Assist (MI-E)
  • IPV Therapy

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Bedside Emergency Equipment

For every child with a tracheostomy or ventilator, full emergency airway equipment is kept at bedside at all times. Our team is trained and ready to respond immediately if an emergency occurs.

  • Spare Tracheostomy Tubes
  • Ambu Bags & Suction Equipment
  • Emergency Oxygen

PERSONALIZED CARE

No two children breathe the same —

and no two care plans look the same.

Every child in our program has a unique respiratory profile. The condition that affects their breathing, the way their lungs respond, their age and growth, their comfort level with treatments — all of these shape how we care for them. We never apply a one-size-fits-all approach.

Ventilator settings are tailored on the following factors: underlying diagnosis, lung compliance & resistance, age & growth, activity level & comfort, neuromuscular conditions, chronic lung disease, and more.

Airway clearance plans are shaped by: secretion burden, lung sounds, infection history, cough effectiveness, the individual’s response therapy, and more.

We also understand that your child is still a child — not just a patient. We schedule treatments around school, therapy sessions, and daily activities whenever possible. For children who are stable enough, we support mobility using portable ventilators, so they can participate in social activities, play, and peer interaction. We work closely with nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy teams to make sure respiratory care never gets in the way of your child’s development and joy.

We also know that some children become anxious or distressed during certain treatments. Our team uses gentle explanation, reassurance, distraction, and comfort techniques — always adapting to what helps your child feel safe and calm.

A MESSAGE TO FAMILIES

Your child’s breathing is our highest priority.

We understand that having a child who depends on ventilator support or specialized airway care can be one of the most challenging and emotional experiences a family can face. You may have many questions, worries, and moments of uncertainty. Our respiratory therapy team is here — not just to manage equipment, but to be a steady, knowledgeable presence for your child and your family.

Every member of our team has been trained specifically in pediatric respiratory care. We don’t just follow a protocol — we get to know your child, understand what makes them comfortable, and build a care plan around who they are as a whole person.

“Our goal is not just to support your child’s breathing — it is to help them live as fully and comfortably as possible, participating in the activities and moments that make childhood meaningful.”

-Yumana Melendez, Director of Respiratory Therapy

STORIES OF PROGRESS

Real outcomes for real children —

because consistent care changes lives.

We are proud of the progress our children make every day.

Here are a few examples of what dedicated, individualized respiratory therapy can achieve.

Better Breathing, Better Days

A child who struggled to tolerate the ventilator adjustments needed to improve their oxygen levels worked closely with our respiratory team over time. Through gradual, carefully monitored changes, their ventilator settings were optimized — leading to improved oxygen saturation and greater comfort and tolerance during everyday activities.

Living Life Beyond the Bedside

For children who are medically stable on long-term ventilator support, our team collaborates with physical and occupational therapy to transition them to portable ventilators. This has allowed children to attend school activities, engage in therapy, and spend meaningful time with peers — contributing to their overall happiness and well-being.

Fewer Infections, More Health Stability

One child with a history of frequent respiratory infections and repeated hospitalizations due to mucus buildup was placed on a structured airway clearance plan including scheduled vest therapy and cough assist treatments. The result: significantly fewer respiratory complications and a much more stable daily life within the facility.

Staying Ahead of Emergencies

Through consistent tracheostomy care, proactive monitoring, and ongoing staff education, our team has helped reduce the frequency of airway-related emergencies. When changes do occur, our rapid response protocols ensure your child receives immediate, skilled care — every time.

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