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KSMU is dedicated to broadcasting critically important information as our community experiences the COVID-19 pandemic. Below, you'll find our ongoing coverage.

Both Springfield Hospitals Call For Help From Respiratory Therapists As Covid Cases Surge

CDC

The two main health care facilities in Springfield, CoxHealth and Mercy Springfield, say they need more respiratory therapists as surging Covid cases test the capacity of hospital staffing. 

On Tuesday, president and CEO of CoxHealth Steve Edwards tweeted an urgent call for respiratory therapists to "come to our aid," saying CoxHealth's “heroic RT staff need re-enforcements.” 

And a day earlier, Mercy Springfield's Chief Administrative Officer Erik Frederick tweeted that the hospital is expanding to a second Covid ICU, and that doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists were tired.  "If you're a RT, call us," Frederick said in the tweet.

Respiratory therapists give patients oxygen, administer drugs to the lungs, and manage ventilators.  

Any respiratory therapists willing to help are encouraged to call the health care systems directly. For Mercy Springfield, the contact orchestrating respiratory therapists can be reached at 314-525-1563 or 417-820-2000;  respiratory therapists or other medical staff can reach CoxHealth at 417-269-5627.