Respiratory Therapy

The ventilator program at Lincoln Village is designed to help liberate and rehabilitate residents in the central Illinois area, under the leadership of our Pulmonologist Dr. Lara-Perez and Director of Respiratory Karolyn Rush RRT. Your loved one is a part of our family here.

Why Choose Lincoln Village Health Care?

At Lincoln Village Health Care, we have an established team of doctors, skilled nurses, and aids, as well as  24/7 Respiratory Therapist on Staff with over 80 years combined experience in the field. Our main goal for all or our vent hall family is to maintain the highest quality of life during their stay. The state-of-the-art technology we use includes the VOCSN Critical Care Ventilator which allow us to monitor and treat ventilated residents with real-time data effectively.

Ventilator Weaning

Weaning is the process of reducing the ventilator support which may be done quickly or over days to weeks. This process of weaning requires effort from the resident with help from the healthcare team which includes physiotherapists, dieticians, doctors, and nurses. Relatives can be a strong motivator for our residents, and we encourage you to be at the bedside to encourage the resident. All activities require some energy and muscle strength. The physiotherapists draw up a program of exercises which they do with the resident and nurses. Relatives may also help. Lincoln Village Healthcare Center is proud to have a successful ventilator weaning program coordinated by our Pulmonologist with the 24/7 onsite oversight of our Registered Therapists and Nurses.

Under the direction of a Pulmonary Medicine Physician, ventilator residents receive skilled services provided by Respiratory Therapists, Highly Trained Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants. Additional services include but are not limited to Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Licensed Social Workers, and many more. Lincoln Village Healthcare firmly believes in the interdisciplinary team approach to provide the best outcome for each individual resident in our care. Together, they offer an individualized approach to ensure our resident’s best quality of life.

Our on-site team is trained to use state-of-the-art equipment that proves to be both time and energy-saving for our residents. Lincoln utilizes innovative equipment to monitor our residents and their overall progress closely and accurately. Our enmities and specialties include but are not limited to:

• Physio-vest Therapy

• Tracheostomy Tube Weaning

• Tracheostomy Tube Decannulation

• CPAP, BiPap, and BiPap S.T. (AVAPS)

• Ventilator Alarms via Light System

• VOCSN Critical Care Ventilator

With the use of the VOCSN Critical Care Ventilator, we can provide five therapies all from one handheld, portable machine:

• Critical Care Ventilator

• Oxygen Concentrator

• Touch Button Cough Assist

• Hospital Grade Suction Therapy

• Airflow Compensating Nebulizer

This allows you and your loved one the portability needed to leave the bed and venture outside or through the facility.

Who can we serve?

Our ventilator program is designed to treat a wide variety of ventilator-dependent or temporarily dependent residents. Our unique array of skillset, technology, and abilities allow us to have expertise across the board.

• Ventilator Dependency

• Post-Operative Respiratory Conditions

• Airway Management

• Pulmonary Infections

• Reactive Airway Disease

• Hypoxia

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Respiratory failure

• Emphysema

• Asthma

• Pulmonary Infections

• Pneumonia Treatments

Resident safety is the cornerstone of the department. We nurture a culture of caring and compassion, that combined with our quality practices, ensures your loved one will be in the best hands and hearts. As a team, we strive daily for excellence maintaining our commitment that here, everyone is family.

Our Director of Respiratory Karolyn Rush has 8 years of Respiratory experience caring for multiple patient populations including preemie, infant, pediatric, adolescent, and geriatric populations. She has experience in multiple facility types including hospitals, level 1 trauma centers, and long-term care facilities.

Karolyn: “One of the hardest decisions you may have to make is placing your loved one in a facility for extended care, here your loved one is a part of our family.”

Contact us today to learn more about our respiratory unit and to check for availability 217-732-1538.