Emerging technologies in respiratory care are reshaping patient management and treatment outcomes. Artificial intelligence and its various subsets are now widely studied for applications in respiratory therapy. Other technologies are advancing mechanical ventilation, pulmonary diagnostics, rehabilitation and sleep therapy.
In Northern Kentucky University’s (NKU) online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Respiratory Care program, registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) gain advanced critical care skills in key diagnostic and treatment areas including advanced mechanical ventilation, invasive and noninvasive airway management and waveform analysis and application. Provisionally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), the program’s curriculum supports the organization’s mission statement: To ensure that high quality educational programs prepare graduates to be competent respiratory therapists with proficiency in practice, education, research and service.
How Is Remote Patient Monitoring Revolutionizing Respiratory Care Management?
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) enables continuous data collection and real-time clinical insights that are changing the face of respiratory care. Smart inhalers with electronic functionality monitor patients with asthma and COPD, and wearable sensors enable clinicians to personalize pulmonary rehabilitation via remote monitoring. These and other digital innovations improve diagnostics and predictive analytics for chronic respiratory diseases, according to Frontiers in Digital Health.
Technological innovations help improve patient safety, early detection and chronic disease management, according to research from Frontiers in Physiology. Wearable sensors and wireless devices that deliver real-time respiratory data and early warnings of clinical deterioration enable care teams to continuously monitor patients. Precision diagnostics leverage advanced algorithms and targeted testing to identify treatable traits in respiratory diseases, allowing care teams to personalize treatment plans.
How Does Cutting-edge Technology Enhance Patient Mobility and Independence?
Technology also provides patients with more freedom to get around. Traditional respiratory care treatments restricted patient mobility due to reliance on fixed equipment and frequent in-person assessments. “Remote patient monitoring (RPM) technologies are gaining traction in healthcare due to the acceleration of technology development and application of artificial intelligence,” according to research published by NPJ | Digital Medicine, which predicts that global demand for RPM technology will grow by nearly 20% through 2028.
Clinicians are using digital technology to collect and transmit physiological and health data from patients outside traditional care settings. This approach supports Patient-Centered Medical Home standards by collecting data on patients’ vital signs, physiologic markers, symptoms and medication adherence according to the American Pharmacists Association (APA). The data “can then be used by the entire care team to make more informed recommendations for patients’ treatment and care,” states APA.
Advanced portable ventilation devices — compact, battery-powered mechanical ventilators that use sensors and microcontrollers to deliver and monitor respiratory support — are also giving patients more freedom. Among other applications, they are used at home and during patient transport. These technology-enabled ventilators with built-in safety alerts monitor vital respiratory functions with precision. In addition to respiratory care applications, RPM technology is used to:
- Monitor patients for complications after surgery
- Support at-risk populations in remote or rural areas
- Enhance outpatient care by reducing hospital re-admissions
- Optimize disease self-management and medication adherence
- Determine early interventions for acute conditions identified via remote alerts
How Do AI-powered Diagnostics Enable Precision Medicine in Respiratory Therapy?
AI-powered diagnostics use algorithms to analyze medical images, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation and respiratory sounds. They are transforming precision respiratory care by enhancing early detection, tailoring therapy and improving patient monitoring. Applications include:
- Chest X-ray analysis to identify lung disease
- Cough sound diagnosis that can rapidly detect respiratory conditions
- AI interpretations of inhale/exhale functions to support precise assessment
AI platforms deliver personalized treatment plans by integrating patient history, symptoms and real-time therapy response. Clinical applications can improve outcomes and reduce unnecessary interventions.
Studies show AI algorithms can double pulmonary diagnostic accuracy compared to standard methods, leading to better disease identification, more effective management, fewer hospitalizations and improved patient safety in respiratory care. “The permanent integration of artificial intelligence into respiratory care creates the need for respiratory therapists to positively influence its progression,” according to the Interactive Journal of Medical Research.
How Do Registered Respiratory Therapists Prepare for the Future?
In NKU’s online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program registered respiratory therapists gain the advanced competencies needed to leverage emerging technologies like AI-powered diagnostics, remote patient monitoring and portable ventilation systems to deliver precision care. Students learn how to effectively interpret complex physiological data and technical information and clearly communicate their findings to healthcare professionals, patients and families.
The program instills professional leadership abilities, teaching students to lead groups of professionals in a manner that promotes best practices and patient advocacy. RRTs graduate well-equipped to make a difference in patient care while positioning themselves for advancement opportunities in a rapidly growing area of healthcare.
Learn more about Northern Kentucky University’s online B.S. in Respiratory Care program.
