Respiratory therapy is a professional discipline providing auxiliary diagnosis and treatment for both acute and chronic cardio-pulmonary diseases. Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University was founded in 1994. The respiratory therapy department was also set up in 1994, and was based on the American model, which has a history of over 60 years. Departmental staff members have been highly trained at the American Loma Linda University and its affiliated hospital. Our department is the earliest established Chinese respiratory therapy group, which is of large scale, with standardized technical expertise.

Respiratory Therapists and Critical Care Doctors work together in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to discuss the breathing status of patients, and to establish individual respiratory therapy programs. Respiratory Therapists will formulate and implement treatment plans in order to promote the rehabilitation of patients. These plans are based on physical examination, ventilator diagram analysis, blood tests and iconography information. Respiratory therapists provide the patients with respiratory support and artificial airway management according to their needs, based on international guidelines.

After 20 years of development, the department has more than forty respiratory therapists, forming a diverse, professional league. Together, we have published more than 40 papers in the respiratory therapy authoritative academic journals, both in China and abroad. The department has also edited and published books, including: The breath diagnoses and treatment equipment,and Essentials of Respiratory Care. Additionally, we have taken part in editing a number of academic works, such as Intensive Care, Critical Care Medicine, 

Mechanical Ventilation and Mechanical Ventilation and Nursing.

The department has hosted the national training course of Respiratory Care and Progress since 1998, and has provided the latest knowledge of respiratory technology to thousands of students in China. In 2013, the respiratory therapy department collaborated with one of the top global 500 medical enterprises, and established the Training Center of Respiratory Therapy. This Course has been applied as ICRC global continuing educational program, after passing the assessment of International Council of Respiratory Care (ICRC).