COVID-19 brings shortage of respiratory therapists, and the job itself, into the spotlight
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
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Respiratory therapists across the country have been feeling the strain of staffing shortages in their field for months. Patient prioritization has often been a necessity during the pandemic, which weighs heavily on the caregivers who see COVID-19 patients at their worst.
That was especially the case on Nov. 14 “hands down the worst day” of Anna Carmean’s career.
The 28-year-old respiratory therapist received more than 25 calls and texts from her colleagues needing her assistance during her shift at Spectrum Health. Unable to be everywhere at once, she had to pick who to help, and who to pass to the next available therapist.