This is a call to action to management and government officials to propose awareness and immediate intervention regarding the insufficient support for respiratory therapists to effectively serve the people in this dire time. As front line personnel in the hospital, we feel overlooked in the ongoing actions to assist medical professionals in performing their work.
We are all at risk as COVID-19 permeates the city. However, as Respiratory Therapists, we are at an exponentially higher risk due to our significant duties at the bedside. Our responsibilies include performing/assisting intubations, managing the ventilator, maintaining the airway, ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation, drawing arterial blood, and providing emergency care during codes/cardiac arrests.
Below, we have compiled a list of propositions to help alleviate the risks and concerns with which we are faced with each day, as the severity of this pandemic continues to escalate.
A. Hire more Respiratory Therapists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2018, “New York is among the states with the lowest concentration of respiratory therapists compared to the national average” (USA Today). Throughout the past weeks, there have been calls to action to recruit thousands of nurses and doctors; however, respiratory therapists seem to have been overlooked, scraping out less than 200 potential hirees. We are requesting for increased action to obtain more respiratory therapists to assist us in our time of need. In this situation, we suggest for hospitals to consider hiring recent graduates who may be able to help practice with the supervision of a licensed therapist. Staff-to-patient ratios are already mounting to dangerous levels, and therefore, increased access to staffing can, and will, literally save lives.
B. Provide access to personal protective equipment. The hospital systems of numerous other countries have been crippled by staffing shortages due to an increased number medical staff who have developed COVID-19 from exposure in the workplace. The risk is twofold for healthcare workers, as we are putting the most vulnerable at risk, while exposing ourselves and our families. The basic access to materials is essential in combating the virus and mitigating its spread.
C. Receiving crisis pay during this pandemic. As healthcare workers who are literally at the head of the bed taking care of these patients, we are constantly at a very high risk for exposure. In addition, we are obligated to take on the responsibility of increasing workloads, amidst the chaotic circumstances. We, along with our fellow healthcare workers, are stressed and overwhelmed by the intensifying situation. We are requesting to merit increased pay for this period, as compensation for our dedication to serving our nation.
D. Paid time off, without using our accrued sick time. Due to the constant exposure to COVID-19 at our jobs, we are more susceptible to this illness. We are requesting that we receive PTO during our recovery time. In addition, we are already feeling the emotional toll of this crisis, so we are also requesting for extra PTO to assist us in our emotional recovery thereafter.
We are open to dialogue regarding these issues. Please consider our health when discussing public health as we are uniquely qualified to assist at this time.
