COVINGTON, LA- Louisiana Society for Respiratory Care named St. Tammany Parish Hospital 2011 Hospital of the Year for Respiratory Care in hospitals with more than 200 beds.

“STPH respiratory care practitioners work in partnership with our medical staff to assess and treat pulmonary patients,” Lisa Kinler RRT, head of respiratory services, explains, “and our state society recognizes the difference this makes for patients. We’re proud to be honored in this way by our peers throughout the state.”

Being first responders to all cardiopulmonary emergencies, the respiratory therapists hold certifications in BLS, ACLS, PALS and NRP. “Respiratory therapists are the lung experts,” Kinler says. “It is our responsibility to be the patient’s advocate for lung health.”

STPH Respiratory Services provides acute care therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and sleep disorders support. Respiratory services and other STPH clinical disciplines participate in shared governance, involving team decision-making, diverse creative input and advancing STPH’s healthcare mission.

STPH provides ongoing education for respiratory therapists to stay current with the latest technology and best practice standards. STPH is a clinical site for respiratory students to assist in growing the next generation of respiratory therapists.

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A full-service acute care facility committed to providing world-class healthcare and the latest technology, St. Tammany Parish Hospital delivers today’s life-improving procedures with the utmost care to area residents with emphasis on wellness, preventive care and disease management close to home. STPH is a self-supporting not-for-profit community hospital; it receives no tax funding. STPH.org