Lori Horn
Hennepin,IL
Summary
Dynamic Respiratory Therapist with extensive experience at OSF Healthcare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, skilled in mechanical ventilation management and patient education. Proven track record in reducing hospital readmissions through effective home care planning and strong clinical judgment. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes through collaborative care and adherence to respiratory care protocols.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Respiratory Therapist
OSF Healthcare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center
08.2018 - Current
- Collaborated with healthcare team to ensure patient safety and comfort.
- Maintained and cleaned respiratory equipment following infection control protocols.
- Documented patient responses to therapy in electronic health records accurately.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in stand alone emergency room ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Provide all respiratory therapy modalities as utilized in emergency room care.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team in outpatient facility.
- Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans addressing patient needs and goals.
- Mentored new hires and students in respiratory therapy best practices, contributing to a high-quality work environment.
- Administered pulmonary function tests and monitored changes in patients' respiratory status.
- Perform outpatient procedures such as EKGs, Holter monitors, overnight pulse oximetry studies, home sleep studies and home oxygen qualifying tests.
Respiratory Therapist
St Margaret's Home Medical
10.2017 - 08.2018
- Administered respiratory therapy treatments to patients in home settings, ensuring adherence to care plans.
- Educated patients and families on proper equipment usage and airway management techniques.
- Conducted regular equipment maintenance checks, ensuring safety and compliance with health regulations.
- Maintained accurate patient records for improved treatment plans and consistent communication with healthcare team members.
- Managed oxygen delivery systems efficiently while ensuring patient safety during home visits.
- Reduced hospital readmissions by closely monitoring high-risk patients and providing necessary interventions as needed.
- Coordinated services between medical teams to provide seamless care transitions for patients requiring ongoing respiratory support at home posthospitalization.
- Educated patients and families on proper use of respiratory equipment and techniques for managing respiratory disorders to improve patient outcomes.
Respiratory Therapist
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
08.2014 - 06.2017
- Supported patient education on respiratory health and treatment options.
- Observed patient conditions and reported changes to senior therapists promptly.
- Followed established protocols for oxygen therapy administration effectively.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
- Collaborated with physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
- Performed arterial blood gas analysis and assisted in bronchoscopies.
- Responded to emergency codes and calls during off-hours and immediately initiated treatment.
- Maintained patient charts and information, strictly adhering to HIPAA laws and privacy guidelines.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
ER Respiratory Therapist
Jewish Hospital Medical Center South
08.2010 - 09.2013
- Administered respiratory therapies and monitored patient responses to treatment protocols.
- Managed and operated mechanical ventilators to deliver airway management.
- Provided antibiotics, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medications with hand-held nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers and positive pressure equipment.
- Served as a resource for staff and patients on the safe use of supplemental oxygen, ensuring optimal therapeutic benefits.
- Delivered treatment for patients experiencing chronic and acute respiratory illnesses by conducting assessments and providing diagnoses.
- Maintained accurate patient records to track patients' medical history and treatment plans.
- Assisted with general ED procedures working within team effort approach.
Respiratory Therapist
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
05.2008 - 08.2010
- Administered inhalants and medications to improve patient breathing capabilities, leading to enhanced quality of life.
- Treated patients after conducting assessments and laboratory testing.
- Maintained and cleaned respiratory equipment following infection control protocols.
- Collaborated closely with interdisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive care plans addressing patient needs and goals.
- Followed established protocols for oxygen therapy administration effectively.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Assessed, diagnosed, and treated breathing issues.
- Performed bronchial hygiene techniques to remove mucus and secretions from patient lungs and improve lung function.
- Performed arterial blood gas analysis and assisted in bronchoscopies.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
- Provided emergency response assistance in cases of respiratory distress or failure as part of a rapid response team.
Clinical Respiratory Liaison
Fitzsimmons Home Medical
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Facilitated communication between healthcare providers and patients to enhance service delivery for patient care plan.
- Provided home care patients with equipment and services as indicated by diagnosis.
- Educated patient and family regarding all respiratory modes of therapies ordered.
- Collaborated with physician enabling quality of care.
Clinical Coordinator Respiratory Therapist
Alexian Brothers Medical Center
08.1989 - 07.2007
- Coordinated clinical operations to ensure seamless patient care delivery.
- Developed and implemented protocols to enhance operational efficiency and compliance.
- Analyzed workflow processes, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions.
- Managed scheduling and resource allocation to maximize clinic productivity.
- Monitored quality assurance measures, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
- Mentored new clinical staff members for proper onboarding and orientation processes.
- Implemented new policies and educated staff on changes.
- Optimized resource allocation by regularly monitoring clinic operations and adjusting staffing levels as needed.
- Upheld quality assurance procedures to maintain patient safety and satisfaction.
- Reduced medication errors by overseeing adoption of new medication management system, ensuring patient safety.
- Led transition to electronic health records, significantly reducing paperwork and increasing efficiency in patient information management.
- Defined testing protocols, quality assurance initiatives and clinic policies and procedures.
- Administered respiratory therapy treatments to diverse patient populations, ensuring adherence to care protocols.
- Monitored patient progress and adjusted treatment plans based on clinical assessments and feedback.
- Mentored junior staff in best practices for respiratory therapy, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
- Improved patient care by developing individualized treatment plans based on thorough assessments and evaluations.
- Monitored patient's physiological responses to therapy such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, and blood chemistry changes.
- Maintained state-of-the-art knowledge in respiratory therapy techniques, ensuring application of latest evidence-based practices.
- Played key role in cross-functional teams aimed at developing hospital-wide strategies for infection control.
- Reduced readmission rates, providing thorough follow-up care and patient education on preventative measures.
- Optimized respiratory equipment usage, conducting regular maintenance and calibration for peak performance.
- Informed patients, family members and other healthcare personnel how to properly use respiratory care equipment.
- Aided physicians with various procedures such as bronchoscopies, ventilator management, and intubations.
- Administered oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy and inhalation therapy to improve patients' breathing and lung function.
- Managed ventilator support for critically ill patients in intensive care units, ensuring proper adjustments according to physician orders and clinical guidelines.
Education
High School Diploma -
Addison Trail High School
Addison, IL06.1980
Certificate of Completion - Respiratory Therapy Technician
Black Hawk College
Moline, IL06-1989
Skills
- Airway management
- Tracheostomy care
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Respiratory equipment setup
- Patient education
- Respiratory care protocols
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Medication administration
- Bronchial hygiene techniques
- Professional bedside manner
- Continuous positive airway pressure
- Patient care documentation
- Equipment setup
- Medical record documentation
- Treatment administration
- Physical assessments
- End-of-life care
- Patient and family advocacy
- Emergency medical care
- Patient instruction
- Team collaboration
- Infection control
- Strong clinical judgment
- Pediatric respiratory care
- Sleep disorder treatment
- Clinical leadership
- Spirometer reading
- Neonatal intensive care
- Outpatient care
- Home care planning
- Safety protocols and procedures
- Oxygen therapy
- Mechanical ventilation management
- Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting
- Blood gas analysis
- Pulmonary function testing
- Drug administration trained
- Pulmonary function screenings
- Pulse oximetry
- Certified in CPR/AED
- Certified respiratory therapist (CRT)
Affiliations
NBRC active member
Certification
- CRT - Certified Respiratory Therapist
- NRP
- BLS
Timeline
Respiratory Therapist
OSF Healthcare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center
08.2018 - Current
Respiratory Therapist
St Margaret's Home Medical
10.2017 - 08.2018
Respiratory Therapist
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
08.2014 - 06.2017
ER Respiratory Therapist
Jewish Hospital Medical Center South
08.2010 - 09.2013
Respiratory Therapist
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center
05.2008 - 08.2010
Clinical Respiratory Liaison
Fitzsimmons Home Medical
08.2007 - 05.2008
Clinical Coordinator Respiratory Therapist
Alexian Brothers Medical Center
08.1989 - 07.2007
High School Diploma -
Addison Trail High School
Certificate of Completion - Respiratory Therapy Technician
Black Hawk College