Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology

This course provides core knowledge of the normal structure and function of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiopulmonary system. The structures and functions of this system will provide a foundation for studies in airway management, respiratory diseases, pulmonary function testing and human physiology, which deal with acid-base, blood gas disturbances and interpretation. Study units will include topics on respiratory system, thoracic cavity, cardiovascular, mechanics of ventilation, gas exchange and transport and pulmonary diffusion of gases. Clinical application of common anatomical principles will be discussed in this course.

Introduction to Respiratory Care Profession

This course provides an introduction to the profession of respiratory care with emphasis on the duties, responsibilities, respiratory organizations, historical development of this filed and qualifications of a respiratory therapist. Elementary lung disease processes and basic knowledge on respiratory equipment are also described.

Ethics in Respiratory Care

This course provides students with introductory knowledge about health care systems and issues, and how to deliver services in an atmosphere in which ethical and legal considerations are an integral part of the clinical practice. This course also provides students with knowledge on how to deal with patients legally, ethically, and professionally. It also introduces the students to common ethical theories and principles.

Respiratory Care Science I

This course provides the students an introduction to the clinical sciences related to the profession of respiratory care. The course will cover, in detail, the basic principles of gasses, and the clinical use of medical gases (Oxygen, Nitric Oxide, Heliox), humidity and aerosol therapy. Emphasis will be placed on the physical and chemical principles, which influence therapeutic modalities.

Patient Assessment

This course introduces students to the techniques used in the diagnosis of cardiopulmonary diseases. This course involves a systematic study of bedside assessment, patient history, signs, symptoms, thoracic imaging, laboratory techniques and results, electrocardiograph all of which serve as a foundation for clinical assessment and diagnosis. Other diagnostic techniques which are commonly performed or analyzed by the Respiratory Therapist. 

Cardiopulmonary Disease I

The course is to provide students with specific knowledge of cardiopulmonary diseases, which affect ventilation, gas diffusion and respiration. The Course will cover topics of general respiratory pathophysiology, such as obstructive and restrictive lung disease and others. Subsequent topics will concentrate on specific diseases, including their clinical presentation, etiology, diagnosis, and management. Knowledge of these diseases, along with an understanding of the function of the normal lung, will provide a foundation for the rational application of therapeutic modalities.

Mechanical Ventilation I

This course is designed to provide students with introductory concepts of mechanical ventilation, such as classification, modes of mechanical ventilation, settings, indication and complications. Basic understanding of the most commonly used ventilators and their clinical application is also covered.

Fundamental of Polysomnography

This course introduces the students to the physiology of the normal sleep cycle, the clinical assessment of sleepiness, the classifications of sleep disorders and other forms of treatment of sleep disorders. This course also focuses during the laboratory sessions on scoring of polysomnography tracings, applying of therapeutic interventions such titration of CPAP/Bi-Level therapy, and patient education.

Respiratory Care Science II

This course introduces students to airway management, lung expansion therapy and airway clearance therapy, topics essential in the practice of respiratory care. The course involves study units in the anatomy of the airways, artificial airways and guidelines for airway management, maintenance of airways, methods of tracheobronchial hygiene and lung expansion therapy. The course will also prepare students for procedures such as arterial and capillary punctures.

Respiratory Care Clinical Practice I

This field course provides entry-level clinical experience. Topics include basic life support, universal precautions, patient safety, patient’s medical record, communication, infection control, medical gas systems and oxygen, humidity and aerosol delivery devices, airway management, lung expansion therapy, tracheobronchial hygiene, and arterial punctures and sampling. The field course also covers basics of mechanical ventilation.

Mechanical Ventilation II

This course is a continuation to the course: Basic Mechanical Ventilation, with emphasis on advanced modes used in mechanical ventilation of various disease states, neonatal, home care, transportation and long-term ventilation. The course also puts emphasis on management strategies of mechanical ventilation according to disease entities.

Patient Care Management Seminar

This seminar provides the student with an opportunity to integrate and to present the medical management related to patients who have cardiopulmonary disorders.  Students meet with an instructor to present a patient admission scenario, including the patient history, examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention as well as objective determination of success of intervention. Emphasis will be placed on decision making and problem solving as they relate to respiratory care.

Pulmonary Function Diagnostics

The course is to introduce students to the methodologies and physiological importance of specialized, diagnostic tests, which are performed in the pulmonary function laboratory. The Course will cover techniques used to gather physiological data, comparing it to normal populations, interpreting and translating this information into a descriptive, diagnostic presentation. Diseases that commonly require pulmonary function tests are described. Bronchodilator studies to determine reversibility of airway obstruction are also presented. The course will cover the principles of measurement of Spirometry, indirect measurement of lung volumes with gas dilution techniques and body plethysmography. It also describes the measurement of pulmonary diffusing capacity using small volumes of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and diagnosis of bronchial hyper-responsiveness in patients with normal spirometry and cardiopulmonary exercise

Cardiopulmonary Disease II

This course is a continuation to the course: cardiopulmonary diseases II (HRC 304). The course is to provide students with specific knowledge of cardiopulmonary disorders and related conditions, which affect ventilation, gas diffusion and respiration. Knowledge of these disorders and conditions, along with an understanding for their clinical presentation, etiology, and diagnosis, will provide a foundation for the rational application of therapeutic modalities.

Respiratory Care Clinical Practice II

This clinical field course is designed to provide clinical experience and patients’ outcome evaluation related to delivery of airway pharmacology, transportation of critically ill patients and basic mechanical ventilation, with emphasis on advanced modes, ventilator graphics and management strategies used in mechanical ventilation of various disease states.

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Care

This course is designed to cover three essential areas in respiratory care practice: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Trauma and Advanced Radiology. These areas need specialized knowledge and in-depth skills to prepare students to the level of advanced standards due to the recent vast development in global health care.

Perinatal and Paediatric Respiratory Care

This course is designed to cover major aspects of neonatal and pediatric respiratory care. The course involves the study of topics about fetal lung development, fetal circulation, cardiopulmonary transition at birth, neonatal and pediatric resuscitation, neonatal and pediatric assessment, respiratory care procedures, common respiratory diseases in neonates & pediatrics and their proper management.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Home Care

This course provides the knowledge and comprehension of pulmonary rehabilitation, in patients with limiting respiratory conditions in order to improve patients' exercise tolerance and quality of life and reduce breathlessness. It covers patient education and caregiver to maintain the highest possible functional capacity to patients. Topics are: medication regimens, smoking cession, breathing retaining, bronchial hygiene, special equipment set-up and servicing, patient and family education, patient evaluation. This course will also address the respiratory care home care services in terms of procedure, equipment, and modalities.

Respiratory Care Clinical Practice III

This clinical practice course provides advanced clinical field experience on respiratory care therapeutic and diagnostic patient care with more emphasis on critical care areas. The focus of this clinical course is on respiratory care practices in pediatric and neonatal critical care, including specialized learning experiences in therapeutic modalities, mechanical ventilation, and more emphasizes on technical procedures that differ from the adult patient. The clinical course will also cove home care and pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation. Students will also be exposed to various levels of management in the respiratory profession and gain skills in advanced assessment and clinical decision-making.

Clinical Simulation Seminar

This seminar course provides simulated practice and scenarios of patient care skills in a multimedia setting. It allows students to cover clinical simulation of different patient scenarios related to respiratory care which requires specialized knowledge in solving patient management problems written in a branching logic format. Simulation and role playing of various clinical situations in the lab will enhance the classroom experience and skills.

Critical Care Monitoring

This course provides the students with core knowledge and skills with different essential monitoring and diagnostic techniques and modalities for critically ill patients in the critical care setting. These include procedures, such, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, hemodynamic monitoring, bronchoscopy, pleural interventions (chest tube & pleural aspiration) and cardiac outputs.

Respiratory Care Seminar

This seminar course is to discuss specialty topics selected by instructor and students. This course will also offer to students advanced topics presented by specialists- Pulmonologist, Intensivist, neonatologist, Internist, Respiratory Therapists and other medical specialists. This course is to have students discuss, evaluate and gain knowledge from presenting and attending many case studies related mainly on perinatal & pediatric topics, sleep disorders and rehabilitation and home care

Graduation Project

This course provides students with the opportunity to apply research skills and carry out a research project related to the major program under the supervision of a faculty member. Students will be required to conduct literature review and perform data collection, statistical analysis, writing up of the research paper. Students participating in research must complete CITI program (https://about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/) for research ethics and compliance training prior to submitting research proposals.

Respiratory Care Clinical Practice IV

This clinical practice course provides a capstone advanced clinical field experience. The clinical time will allow the student to continue their hands-on clinical learning. Emphasis is on respiratory care therapeutic and diagnostic patient care for critically ill patients in different settings. These include procedures, such as hemodynamic monitoring, ECG interpretation, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, bronchoscopy, pleural interventions in vivo blood gas monitoring and management of trauma and post-cardiothoracic surgical care.