RT Role Change in Primary Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Suzanne B. and Mirela M. had a major shift in their Respiratory Therapy roles at Thames Valley Family Health Team (FHT) as COVID-19 hit Ontario. They both volunteered to be redeployed to the COVID Assessment Centre in London, Ontario, along with many other Interdisciplinary Health Professionals (IHPs) from their FHT.
Their typical day used to consist of spirometry as well as asthma, COPD and CHF education. Now their days are spent at a local arena in full PPE, assessing and testing patients for COVID-19. They carry out screening, swabbing and packing up samples to be sent off to the labs as part of their job as Clinical Assessors.
There is a definite feeling of teamwork and camaraderie at the Centre as a variety of disciplines rally to support the community. It can be difficult, frustrating and hot at times, but the team has come together to get this important work done.
The role the RTs play at the COVID Assessment Centre is an important one. The skills that they bring to the patients that they serve are indispensable.
We thank Mirela (left) and Suzanne (right), pictured below, for their front line work!
