Helping Patients Breathe Easier!

At Klickitat Valley Health, we're excited about the new healthcare services that Rhonda Turner has brought to Goldendale. Rhonda is a Registered Respiratory Therapist with a passion for the prevention side of healthcare, and for educating patients with chronic disease on how to better care for themselves.

The hiring of a Respiratory Therapist was in direct response to a study that the hospital completed earlier this year, which indicated that over 30% of the primary diagnoses for both inpatient discharges and emergency room visits in 2008 were respiratory related issues.

In her new role at KVH, Rhonda will care for patients with breathing or other cardiopulmonary disorders, and cover a scope of services such as providing temporary relief to patients with chronic asthma or emphysema, and give emergency care to patients who are victims of a heart attack or trauma. Inpatients are being seen on a daily basis. We hope to start a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program for outpatients in the future, as well as offering preventative choices such as smoking cessation classes.