National Respiratory Care Week: Opportunities in the Respiratory Community

Published in Member Communities on October 24, 2022

Boone LockardEach year, National Respiratory Care Week is dedicated to spreading awareness about the importance of respiratory therapists and the role that the respiratory community plays in the home medical equipment (HME) industry as a whole. This year, National Respiratory Care Week is Oct. 23-29, 2022, and Boone Lockard, Director of VGM Respiratory, shared his thoughts on the trends and opportunities he sees happening in the respiratory community. 

Each year, National Respiratory Care Week is dedicated to spreading awareness about the importance of respiratory therapists and the role that the respiratory community plays in the home medical equipment (HME) industry as a whole. This year, National Respiratory Care Week is Oct. 23-29, 2022, and Boone Lockard, Director of VGM Respiratory, shared his thoughts on the trends and opportunities he sees happening in the respiratory community. 

“Respiratory Care Week is very near and dear to us at VGM and the respiratory community here,” said Lockard. “It's a time for the unsung heroes that are respiratory therapists to receive credit and recognition for what they do on a daily basis for patients and the industry.” 

Value-Based Care 

There is a lot of opportunity for respiratory therapists, particularly in the homecare setting as the value and outcome-based homecare model is sweeping the industry.  

“Like many providers in the HME industry, the respiratory community and homecare industry are facing challenges such as staffing issues,” said Lockard. “However, the outcome-based/value-based care model is going to provide a lot of opportunity for respiratory therapist in the very near future.” 

With the challenge of hospitals paying more than what the majority of homecare providers can afford, Lockard predicts that respiratory therapists in the home will manage a higher-acuity patient. 

“The patients that a respiratory therapist will care for in the home in the future are going to be higher acuity,” said Lockard. 

Bringing Respiratory to Forefront 

Spreading awareness for the importance of respiratory therapists to patient care was propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought our profession to the limelight, and the opportunities for therapist moving forward are almost endless, especially in the homecare setting,” said Lockard. “We're proud of what we do as respiratory therapists on a daily basis, and it's nice to have this week to reflect back on all of the patients we've taken care of and the camaraderie that is instilled upon the respiratory community." 

VGM thanks all of those who work in the respiratory community, and we look forward to continuing to spotlight their dedication to the HME industry and the overall care for their patients. 


TAGS

  1. hme
  2. respiratory
  3. vgm

From Our Experts

The Rising Cost of Doing Business in the Mobility and Complex Rehab Technology Industry thumbnail The Rising Cost of Doing Business in the Mobility and Complex Rehab Technology Industry This article delves into concerns of rising costs in the mobility and complex rehab technology (CRT) industry and explores potential strategies to mitigate their impact. We Are the A-Team! thumbnail We Are the A-Team! We are the A-Team, and we're growing stronger than ever! The first half of 2025 has brought exciting developments and fresh momentum to Live at Home, including integrating the VGM member success team. Empowering Patients and Caregivers: Advocacy and Education thumbnail Empowering Patients and Caregivers: Advocacy and Education Whether it's a safety bed, mobility aid, or a respiratory device, healthcare providers' roles extend beyond equipment delivery—we are educators, advocates, and allies. Staffing Ratios and Compensation Insights for U.S. Rehab Members and CRT Dealers thumbnail Staffing Ratios and Compensation Insights for U.S. Rehab Members and CRT Dealers This report provides insights into team structures and pay for key roles like ATPs, service technicians, and billing personnel. Marketing: Embrace the Happy Customer thumbnail Marketing: Embrace the Happy Customer In today's hyper-connected world, customer satisfaction isn't just a metric—it's a marketing engine. A Letter From the President: July 2025 thumbnail A Letter From the President: July 2025 From evolving reimbursement models to the complexities of competitive bidding, the landscape continues to shift beneath our feet, but VGM is here for you. How the June 2025 MedPAC Report Shapes the Future of HME thumbnail How the June 2025 MedPAC Report Shapes the Future of HME The June 2025 Report to Congress from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) offers critical insights into the evolving landscape of Medicare services. While the report does not focus exclusively on home medical equipment (HME) or durable medical equipment (DME), several areas touch on themes that are highly relevant to the industry's future—particularly around home health care, Medicare Advantage (MA), and supplemental benefits. Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success thumbnail Balancing Costs and Growth: Williams Bros.' Strategies for Success Williams Bros. has been adept at managing the complexities of business expenses, improving margins, and mitigating lost opportunities.