RTMatters Episode 014 | Staffing Challenges in Respiratory Care

In this episode of RTMatters, host Patrick Dunne sits down with Garry Kauffman, Past President of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and a recognized thought leader in operational and organizational issues impacting respiratory care services. The conversation explores one of the most pressing challenges facing the profession today: staffing shortages and their impact on both respiratory therapists and patient care. Garry discusses the key drivers behind these shortages, including increased demand from an aging population, rising prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions, workforce attrition, and declining enrollment in respiratory therapy programs. He also highlights the real-world consequences of these challenges, such as high patient-to-therapist ratios, excessive overtime, reduced autonomy, and the growing reliance on costly agency staffing. The episode also focuses on practical solutions. Garry emphasizes the importance of using validated tools like the AARC’s Safe and Effective Staffing Guide (SESG) to accurately assess clinical workload, support staffing decisions, and advocate for appropriate resource allocation. In addition, he outlines how respiratory therapists can play an active role in advancing evidence-based care by working with medical directors and hospital leadership — demonstrating how protocol-driven care can improve patient outcomes while also supporting operational efficiency. This episode offers valuable insight for respiratory therapists, department leaders, and healthcare professionals looking to better understand and address the ongoing staffing challenges in respiratory care.