critical care requiring mechanical ventilation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation center .
HBO medicine.
Smoking Cessation Clinic
Simulated Teaching, EPA, and OSCE, for UGY and PGY training.
The Department of Respiratory Therapy of the Thoracic Department was established in November 1981 according to the task organization. It is located on the 13th floor of the Zhongzheng Building. In addition to ventilator care, it also includes hyperbaric oxygen therapy, lung rehabilitation therapy, iron lung , IDS, preoperative health education therapy, and smoking cessation classes. Since the first respiratory therapist training class was opened in April 1981, a total of 11 sessions have been held. It was officially incorporated into the establishment in 1989. The clinical manpower allocation is mainly focused on acute and critical care. A lung rehabilitation treatment room is also set up to provide iron lung and exercise therapy. To date, 85 training courses have been established for outpatient asthma patients; in 1992, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was included in routine treatment. In 2010, a German-made 12-person + 2-person HAUX cabin was purchased; in 2010, the Respiratory Care Center (RCC) was established in accordance with national policies. In August 2003, smoking cessation clinics and health education classes began. To date, the Department of Respiratory Therapy was officially incorporated into the Thoracic Department in 2012. Specialists and respiratory therapists are responsible for providing five-dimensional care, paying attention to the quality of life, and providing professional protection to promote respiratory care for a fulfilling life。
Gold Award, The 1st Respiratory Therapist Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) Curriculum Planning and Assessment Design Competition, organized by the National Federation of Respiratory Therapists, Republic of China (Taiwan).
"2024 GNTH Gold Award," with the certification period spanning from 2024 to 2027. Distinguished Award
Awarded the Grand Prize in the Lesson Plan Design category at the Annual Conference of the TSSH; and the Bronze Award in the OSCE Lesson Plan (including video) category for Medical Technology at the 2023 Simulation-based Medical Training Application Lesson Plan and Video Competition.
Oral Presentation, regarding the "HBO Supply Process Improvement Project," at the Annual Conference of the Taiwan . Top provider in Taiwan (2021–2024): Managed 1,627 patient visits Iron Lung and 3,667 patient visits for Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Assist this hospital in obtaining disease certification for asthma and COPD .
Gold Award (Internal Evaluation)," OSCE Excellence Video and Lesson Plan, Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Bronze Award (2023), Simulation-Based Medical Education Training Video, Annual Conference of the Taiwan Society for Simulation in Healthcare (TSSH).
Awarded the "Excellence Award" in the Taiwan Simulation in Medicine (TSSH) competition for the 2019-2020 academic years, specifically in the category of "Simulation-based Medical Training Lesson Plans and Videos: Clinical Competency (OSCE) Lesson Plans (including videos) - Medical Technology Category."
Our institution holds the national record for both the number of ventilators and the total volume of respiratory patient services, with a total of 458 ventilators in operation.
In 2023 (Republic of China year 112), the hospital conducted one smoking cessation program with a total of 18 participants. The average smoking cessation success rate was 61% at the three-month mark and 29% at the six-month mark.
In 2021 , we fully supported the Thoracic Department in achieving accreditation for Asthma and COPD; re-accreditation for Asthma is scheduled for 2025 . Our clinical respiratory care service volume ranks first in the nation. In 2024 (ROC year 113), the service volume reached 106,677 patient visits, supported by the largest fleet of ventilators in the country. Despite the heavy workload, we remain dedicated to weaning patients off mechanical ventilation. In 2024, the monthly average service volume included 4,703 visits for patients on invasive ventilation and 3,379 visits for those on non-invasive ventilation, with difficult cases transferred from external facilities accounting for 20.8% of the total.
In 2024, the service volume for iron lung (ventilator-dependent long-term care) reached 533 visits, pulmonary rehabilitation reached 1,619 visits, and the number of patients receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy reached a new record high.
We continue to maintain our smoking cessation program services at least once per year.
"Our facility leads the nation in both the number of ventilators and the total volume of respiratory services provided. We maintain a fleet of 458 units, encompassing invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilators , negative pressure ventilators, and HFNC therapy. We provide 24/7, year-round care for patients with respiratory needs. our total volume of respiratory therapy services the highest in Taiwan."
Gold Award, The 1st Respiratory Therapist EPAs Curriculum Planning and Assessment Design Competition, organized by the National Federation of Respiratory Therapists, Republic of China (Taiwan).
"2024 GNTH Gold Award," with the certification period spanning from 2024 to 2027. Provided HBOT for the King of the Māori (New Zealand) during multiple royal visits. Oral Presentation, regarding the "HBO Supply Process Improvement Project," at the Annual Conference of the Taiwan . Dedicated efforts in assisting the hospital in obtaining certifications for Asthma and COPD.
Top provider in Taiwan (2021–2024): Managed 1,627 patient visits Iron Lung and 3,667 patient visits for Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Gold Award ," OSCE Excellence Video and Lesson Plan, TVGH. Bronze Award (2023), Simulation-Based Medical Education Training Video, Annual Conference of the TSSH.
Integrating high-fidelity simulation-based learning, which includes: HBOT teaching chambers, respiratory therapy training camps, respiratory therapy techniques and ventilator practice, OSCE, and EPA.
High-risk units, such as the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) unit, comply with the standards established by the hospital's Medical Quality and Patient Safety Center. Monthly reporting of risks, audits of highly technical medical procedures, and review records all meet the required standards.
In-service education for Respiratory Therapists (RTs): The target of 25 sessions per year has achieved a 100% completion rate. Excluding PGY (Post-Graduate Year) trainees, 98% of current RTs hold teaching credentials recognized by the Joint Commission of Taiwan (JCT). The participation rate in training and advanced studies is above 45%.
Ventilator maintenance and upkeep have achieved a 100% completion rate. Taking the HBOT unit as an example, regular annual maintenance is performed on the multi-place hyperbaric chamber, single-place chamber, and the 3rd-floor air compressor; the maintenance for the year 2025 (Year 114) was completed on June 30.
In accordance with the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW) clinical training program, PGY Respiratory Therapists were recruited, achieving a 100% retention rate.
Clinical Team Leaders have achieved a 100% completion rate in conducting monthly performance evaluations of team members.
Comprehensive Respiratory Care Team – Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Letter of Appreciation.
Comprehensive Respiratory Care Team – Letter of Appreciation for Ventilator Clinical Care.
The Neonatal Medical Center presented a Certificate of Appreciation to recognize the dedication of our Respiratory Therapists to pediatric patients.
Frequent messages received via the President's Mailbox expressing gratitude for the meticulous care provided by the Respiratory Care Team.
Former President Lee was admitted to our hospital in 2012 for respiratory therapy due to pneumonia. The Respiratory Care Team provided continuous, professional respiratory care services; upon recovery and discharge, the patient expressed his gratitude through a commemorative photo.
Comprehensive Respiratory Care Team – Five-star reviews for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) on Google Maps.
Research Findings from Textbooks, Journals, and Clinical Guidelines: Clinical Trials regarding Severe COPD Patients: The use of Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) can improve pulmonary function (Source: CHEST).
American Thoracic Society (ATS) Weaning Guidelines:
The use of corticosteroids is recommended for the prevention of post-extubation stridor (Source: Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2017).
In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigating the role of corticosteroids in patients experiencing stridor following extubation, the administration of Hydrocortisone was found to reduce Post-Extubation Stridor (PES) by 10% (Source: Intensive Care Med).
Ventilator circuits can be replaced every 7 days without increasing the incidence of pneumonia (Source: Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei. 2001)).
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Guidelines: ESMO has established specific indications for the use of Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) in cancer patients.
Patients with lung cancer experiencing respiratory failure who utilize NIV are associated with high mortality rates and poor prognoses (Sources: PLoS One. 2020 and ESMO Open 2018).
Excellence in Smoking Cessation Services Award, 2024 International Gold Award for Smoke-Free Hospital, awarded by the Global Network for Tobacco-free Health Care (GNTH), 2024 International Journal Publication (2017): "Exhaled Carbon Monoxide (CO) measurement as a tool to assess smoking cessation success" (NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2017)
2025 National Clinical Medical Education Award: Simulated Scenario Competition, Critical Care Nursing Group, Bronze Award.
EPA & OSCE Implementation: 2019: Gold Award (OSCE Video & Lesson Plan Competition), TVGH. 2023: Gold Award (1st Respiratory Therapist EPA Competition). 2022: Distinction (Poster & Lesson Plan Design), TSSH. 2023: Bronze (Instructional Video), TSSH.
AR/VR Medical Applications: Awarded Best Poster Presentation at the 2024 Taiwan Respiratory Care Annual Conference; published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine and Applications (JCMA) in 2025.
Promoting tobacco control initiatives to enhance public health: Recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Smoking Cessation Medical Service Award; Winner of the 2024 Global Network for Tobacco-Free Health Care (GNTH) International Gold Award for Tobacco-Free Hospital; 2017 International Journal Publication: Measuring exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) during the smoking cessation period can assist in determining a patient's successful cessation status.
