Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program of medically prescribed and supervised exercise, education and support to improve pulmonary health and overall well-being of a person who has pulmonary disease. The program focuses on exercise reconditioning and educational classes with the goal of achieving and maintaining the individual’s maximum functioning in the community.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation program is designed to offer a comprehensive, preventive, and therapeutic care plan built around the individual patients’ needs. The essential components of the program are assessment, patient training, exercise, psychosocial intervention and follow-up.
The program is comprised of three phases:
- Phase I – an inpatient (acute care) program designed for patients (admitted) to the rehabilitation hospital.
- Phase II – an outpatient program of monitored and supervised exercise and education, smoking cessation, psychological support and counseling.
- Phase III – designed for patients who have completed Phase II and wish to maintain pulmonary health and fitness.
Along with your physician, we will assist in placing you into the correct phase of the program to best meet your needs. In most cases Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Phase I and Phase II) are covered by most insurances. Phase III is a self-pay program. Please contact us with any questions
FAQ’s
Q: Who can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation?
A: Pulmonary Rehabilitation can provide benefit for patients with a variety of conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary fibrosis; bronchiectasis; sarcoidosis; interstitial lung disease; lung cancer and lung cancer surgery ; lung volume reduction surgery; pre and post lung transplant.
Q: What is included in pulmonary rehabilitation?
A: Educational classes are provided focusing on lung disease and topics pertaining to the management of your disease. Some of the areas covered will include:
- Your lungs, how they work, and common diseases
- Breathing techniques
- Medications
- Airway Clearance
- Oxygen, travel, how to do every day tasks with less shortness of breath; how to stay healthy and avoid COPD exacerbations.
- Nutrition
- Performing activities of daily living
- Stress management and relaxation exercises
- exercise progression
- support group
- psychosocial intervention
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of flare-ups
- Benefits of exercise & establishing a home exercise program.
Q: Who are the members of the pulmonary rehabilitation team?
A: Your team of specialists will include the Medical Director/Pulmonologist, registered nurses; exercise physiologists; exercise specialists; nutritionists, rehabilitation psychologists, and other rehabilitation specialists as required.
Q: What is the difference between the phases in the pulmonary rehabilitation program?
A: Phase I – an inpatient program designed for patients (admitted) to the rehabilitation hospital.
A: Phase II is an outpatient program of supervised exercise and education, smoking cessation, psychological support and counseling. A referral and some information regarding your medical history from your pulmonary physician are needed to begin, including a pulmonary function test within the past year. Most patients attend this program three times a week, for a total of 36 sessions to achieve maximum benefit.
A: Phase III – Patients who have participated in Phase II and wish to maintain pulmonary health and fitness may take advantage of our Phase III supervised exercise sessions. These exercises sessions are conducted much like those in Phase II with each patient now accepting further responsibility for self-monitoring and record keeping. You will perform activities under the supervision of the pulmonary rehabilitation team.
Q: What are the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation?
A: The benefits of participating in a pulmonary rehab program include:
- Improved quality of life
- Reduced respiratory symptoms (e.g. dyspnea)
- Improved psychosocial symptoms (e.g. reversal of anxiety and depression and improved self efficacy)
- Increased knowledge about pulmonary disease and its management
- Increased exercise tolerance and performance
- Enhanced ability to perform activities of daily living
- Increased survival in some patients (e.g. Use of continuous oxygen in patients with severe hypoxemia)
- Return to work for some patients
Testimonials
“The dedication and skill of the team was awe inspiring, and I couldn’t have asked for a more caring and attentive team. I feel much more confident and positive about myself after completing the course.”
“Each of the staff members with whom I interacted has been informative, caring and involved in providing the quality of rehab that was needed to achieve the proper outcome and desire management. Each person reflected the skills and empathy that made for a comfortable and productive program.”
“Now that I’ve completed the program I have seen a vast improvement in my physical, and more incredibly, my mental health.”
“Worried about whether I had the stamina for exercising, I was relieved to discover I could go at my own pace. I also felt more at ease knowing the exercise was supervised. Professionals were there to monitor me when I had blood pressure or other medical issues. They only gave me exercised they knew I could handle. They asked, “ Can you do this? How do you feel today?” Everyone has unique situations and different aches and pains. They give everyone individualized care.”
Pulmonary Rehab Testimonials
“I attended pulmonary rehab at JRI Johnson Rehab in the early part of March and completed 36 sessions. I received great care from the nurses, exercise physiologist and entire rehab team. They were very caring and compassionate professionals. I recommend this program to anyone who has lung disease. It gave me the confidence to participate in family activities with my grandchildren once again.”
Maureen G.
“The entire staff in pulmonary rehab worked professionally, tirelessly, and collaboratively to ensure that I exercised safely throughout my twelve week program. I was able to return back to my job and continue exercising on my own at home without any further difficultly.”
Barbara W.