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Therapy for Patients with Chronic Lung Disorders
The Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is designed
for patients with lung disorders who wish to begin a monitored
exercise and education program. Following a physicians referral,
each participant receives a thorough evaluation and a cardiopulmonary
exercise test. Based on these results, a program is customized
to meet the patient’s individual needs and goals.
The goals of the Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Program include:
• Increased functional capacity
• Decreased risk for future incidents
• Healthy lifestyle
• Increased understanding of pulmonary disease medications
and lifestyle
Who Can Benefit
Candidates for outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation
include individuals with:
• COPD
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Interstitial Fibrosis
• Rheumatoid Pulmonary Disease
• Collagen Vascular Lung Disorders
• Pre/Post Thoracic surgery
The Core Program
The Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
consists of exercise sessions with trained therapists, coordinated
breathing classes and educational sessions. The exercise sessions
are individualized based on patient goals, current fitness
level, medical complications and disabilities (if any). Functional
goals and education are stressed, with the ultimate aim of
developing a program the patient can safely perform at home.
Patients must be referred by their physician.
Monitored and supervised exercise and breathing
classes are offered three times per week, for eight weeks,
in a convenient, comfortable and modern setting by a team
of professionals including a board certified pulmonologist,
exercise physiologist, respiratory therapists, physical and
occupational therapists and a nutritionist, all of whom specialize
in pulmonary rehabilitation. A wide variety of exercise options
are available, including treadmills, recumbent bicycles and
weight training equipment.
Education sessions focus on pulmonary medications,
use of respiratory devices and inhalers, nutrition, exercise
guidelines, stress reduction, and medical management of pulmonary
disease.
Joining the Program
Patients must obtain a prescription from their
physician to enter the program. Insurance coverage can vary
from plan to plan. Prior to outpatient enrollment, patients
should check their individual coverage (referral may be necessary).
For more information please call 845
786-4254 or 1-888-70-REHAB, ext. 4254.
To make an appointment for the initial
evaluation and screening, please call 845 786-4097.
Follow-up
After discharge, patients are encouraged to
make exercise a lifelong commitment, exercising at home, in
a community setting or in the Helen Hayes Hospital Wellness
Center. The Wellness Center offers a supervised and friendly
environment in which to continue the progress made in the
rehabilitation program. For more information on the Helen
Hayes Hospital Wellness Center, please call 845-786-4194,
or 1-888-70-REHAB, extension 4194. |
