October 25-31, 2020: Respiratory Care Week

WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners are well-educated and highly-trained health professionals committed to providing the highest quality patient care in all arenas of health care, including the emergency room, critical care units, medical and surgical units, diagnostics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health care; and,

 

WHEREAS, respiratory care is an honorable profession and is vital to sustaining high standards of health care in Michigan; and,

 

WHEREAS, the number of people affected by chronic lung disease is staggering, costing Michigan citizens millions of dollars annually in hospitalization, physician visits, and other medical expenses; and,

 

WHEREAS, respiratory care practitioners endeavor to educate the public in prevention and early detection of lung disease and encourage family physicians to utilize early screening; and,

 

WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory care practitioners play a critical role on the frontlines in caring for patients, including assessing blood gases, assisting with intubations, and specializing in ventilator management, which has often exposed them to critically ill patients as well as to dangerous aerosolizing procedures; and,

 

WHEREAS, both state and national observances of this week will focus on increasing public awareness and the importance of early detection of chronic lung disease as well as showing appreciation for respiratory care practitioners and their brave work;  

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 25-31, 2020, as Respiratory Care Week in Michigan.