What is the role of a resp nurse? I recently saw one in hospital and was told i could contact her if i wanted about my asthma. But i am not really sure what one is or what they do or indeed what to contact them about?
Any information would be very helpful.
Hi Plumie,
A respiratory nurse in one who specialises in all things lung related. eg asthma, COPD, Bronchitis and possibly CF. They can advise on all sorts of things such as how your asthma is, medications, inhaler techniques ( Bit like an asthma nurse at the GPs I think) We have one at my local hossie but she only deals with the COPD patients. They aim to help you manage at home as well.
Please contact them about any issue that your GP or asthma nurse can't answer.
I am glad you have one that deals with asthma...I am left to my own devices really and if problems not needing immediate admission, I phone my consultant.
Take care
Kate
A respiratory specialist nurse, is basically a nurse who specialises in the diagnosis, long term management and treatment of respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The benefits of a respiratory nurse specialist is that they are trained specifically in the area of asthma and other lung diseases/disorders, and they are easier to get hold of sometimes than a GP who has numerous other patients with numerous other conditions to deal with. Most respiratory nurse specialists for example will give you a direct dial contact number to call where you can seek advice/opinion if your asthma is bothering you.
They are not just there for when you have a problem, they can also help you with long term management action plans to ensure your asthma is well controlled, show you how to use various inhalers/nebulisers/equipment and help advise you which treatments are best for you as well as giving you a better understanding of the condition. Basically in a nutshell they are there to help you long term and in the short term if you need it.
I for example have an asthma specialist nurse at my GP surgery, who when I'm having trouble with my asthma I can bypass the queue for the GP and either call up or go straight in pretty much and see her.
I have 3 different resp nurses!
My GP practice nurse who is useless and asks me for advice, my nurses at my local who are good and then Debbie at RBH who is good but impossible to get hold of!!
Despite having these nurses on call i tend to always speak to my community matron as she can directly talk to to my cons . the resp nurses generally can alter your meds and give you pretty good advice on all things related to your asthma.
im the opposite I dont use the hosp one as like others have said its impossible to get hold of them, but use the one based at my GP, there are 2 of them and always one of them is in, you can always get to speak to them within minutes usually of ringing and if they cant see you or think its too bad for them to deal with they always get me an appt that day with my gp even tho she is fully booked and reception wont allow you to see them, so they have their uses!
Take care
snowy
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