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As you can see, respiratory therapists are in demand, and you can prepare yourself for a rewarding career by comparing respiratory therapy programs carefully, looking to see that they’re training you with the most updated information and skills, such as AI business automation.

How AI Business Automation Benefits Those in Respiratory Therapy

Seemingly, AI business automation and respiratory care have little to do with each other. For years, respiratory therapy was a rather low-tech field, primarily focused on working one-on-one with patients and using diagnostics like spirometers and pulse oximeters to assess breathing.

However, like with nearly any other field out there, respiratory therapy is advancing with the times and incorporating AI to better serve patients. The therapists can provide more accurate diagnostics and reduce the time spent on diagnostics, giving more availability to working with the patient.

AI technology also increases efficiency and helps the therapist diagnose patients more accurately. Rather than a respiratory therapist fussing with paperwork and mundane tasks, AI can automate it, so the person can spend more time with the patient without needing to rush.

Types of AI Automation Used

Let’s say you haven’t started in a respiratory therapy program yet, but are looking into financial aid and comparing programs, and you’re interested in helping others. Perhaps you've even battled with breathing difficulties all your life and want to help others who are experiencing the same.

No matter why you chose this field, you should know that you’ll more than likely use some type of automation to make your job easier and improve patient care.

Adjusting Ventilator Settings

For instance, AI algorithms can help adjust ventilator settings that evaluate the patient’s risk for respiratory failure. The significance behind this is that the right ventilator settings are necessary to ensure the patient receives adequate oxygen.

However, if it provides too much, the device can be just as dangerous, potentially leading to the patient receiving too much oxygen or sustaining lung damage. And if levels are too high, it takes longer to wean a patient, which can possibly lead to all the following:

• Infection

• Irritation

• Prolonged hospital stay

• Increased risk of blood clots

• Pressure sores

• Diaphragm muscle weakness

• Anxiety, delirium, or confusion from being on a ventilator

AI can monitor the patient’s respiration, pulse ox, and blood gas continuously, more quickly than you can with multiple devices. The algorithms can adjust the settings accordingly to ensure your patient always receives the right amount of support and oxygen.

It’s more on top of the process than a human could ever be, but you’ll still have control if you need to override it based on your training from one of the accredited respiratory therapy schools.

Image Evaluation

Another example of AI used in the field includes programs that interpret chest imaging. While you receive training on this matter, including how to read CT scans, X-rays, and other imaging to detect any issues, AI business consultants can act as an assistant or even your second set of eyes, finding patterns that you may have easily overlooked or indicating concerns that you may not have noticed. By having that backup, you can diagnose problems sooner and monitor patients more efficiently.

Scheduling

Besides patient care, AI is useful in other areas of medical facilities as well. For instance, AI can assess patients’ needs and figure out when staff have availability.

Ultimately, AI can make sure your patients can be seen and won’t have extensive waits. It reduces the possibility of overbooking. Not to mention, because it can also perform staff scheduling, you’ll have other staff with you, so the patients always have the attention they need and deserve.

While a receptionist may need to search through schedules to find available times, or the patient needs to call to find out about any cancellations, AI can automatically detect cancellations and fill in the time slot with another patient.

Or, if a therapist is no longer available, AI can alter the reception, so this person is able to contact the patient and reschedule for when that therapist or another one is available.

Although many people are up in arms that AI is going to take their jobs, at this stage in the game, that’s not the case at all. AI for respiratory therapists isn’t meant to replace these individuals but to make their jobs easier and improve patient care.

Nowadays, respiratory therapy programs often educate students on how to use AI to their advantage. Even after school, if a person didn’t learn about AI, they will when they’re on the job because of how it can benefit patients and the overall care process.

The Future of Respiratory Therapy with AI

• At its core, respiratory therapy is about people — helping them breathe easier and live better lives. AI doesn’t replace this human connection; instead, it strengthens it by removing the repetitive burdens therapists face.

• From ventilator adjustments to imaging analysis and scheduling, AI acts as a powerful assistant. It supports therapists with real-time data, efficiency, and accuracy — ensuring patients receive faster, more effective care.

• For students comparing respiratory therapy programs, choosing one that includes AI business automation training gives you an advantage. It prepares you for a future-ready career where technology and healthcare meet.

• The integration of AI into respiratory care is not a threat but an opportunity. It allows therapists to focus more on compassion, clinical judgment, and patient relationships while leveraging automation for efficiency and precision.

✨ Respiratory therapy programs that embrace AI business automation prepare the next generation of professionals to deliver care that’s smarter, faster, and more human than ever before.