Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

The Garnet Health Medical Center Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program helps people who have chronic pulmonary disease improve their quality of life. The specialists in this program work with you to improve endurance and reduce your risk of medical complications from worsening lung disease.

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides an individually designed program with goals set by the patient and therapy team. A comprehensive evaluation is completed and goals are set for education and exercise. In the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, the multidisciplinary team including physicians, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, dietitians and other care providers, ensure you get exactly the care that you need to meet your goals for living with lung disease.

6-10 Week Rehabilitation Program

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program staff can help you to focus on ways to improve your, endurance, quality of life and reduce your risk of other medical events. This is done by:

  • Improving levels physical activity
  • Improving understanding of your lung disease
  • Developing methods to learn to cope and live everyday with lung disease
  • Maximizing energy levels
  • Improving overall health and well-being

Throughout the duration of this six- to ten-week program, group and individual sessions will be held three times per week. Each visit is approximately two to three hours long.

Group Sessions

Each group session consists of a 75-minute therapist-monitored exercise training session. Our therapists are committed to helping you achieve your goals and increase your exercise tolerance. Your goals and progress will be monitored on an individual basis.

The exercise training session will focus on endurance training, using cardio equipment such as treadmills and stationary bicycles. Participants will also use resistance bands and light hand weights for upper body exercises.

A one-hour weekly session will be set aside for education for both patients and families. Educational topics are geared toward self-management, medication adherence, risk reduction, reducing flare ups and decreasing hospital stays.

Individual Sessions

In each one-on-one session, you will be seen by a physical therapist, occupational therapist and/or respiratory therapist for evaluation and training. You will learn techniques to decrease energy expenditure for walking, climbing stairs, completing self-care and performing daily tasks. These sessions will be scheduled until you reach your specified goals.

Other sessions may include smoking cessation, one-on-one disease specific education and understanding lung function test results.

Join Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation

To participate in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, an evaluation by a Garnet Health Medical Center pulmonary physician is required. A referral from your medical provider can be faxed to 845-333-2810.

Call 845-333-2015 for more information.

Patient Eligibility

You may be eligible for the Program if you suffer from:

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Emphysema
  • Neuromuscular disease
  • Occupational or environmental lung disease
  • Pre-op or post op thoracic surgery
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Or other cases of respiratory failure

Your primary care physician or pulmonologist may refer you to the program to help improve your breathing and reduce risk factors, with the goal of enhancing your quality of life. You may be referred if the following conditions are met:

Abnormal lung function (spirometry):
FEV 1 < 80% of predicted
AND
FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%, moderate, severe or very severe COPD
OR
Restrictive Lung Disease
OR
Low oxygen levels: Pa02 < 55mmHg or Saturation < 90% on ambient air

Admission Requirements

  • Physician referral
  • A recent (within 3 months) Pulmonary Function Test/spirometry
  • Ability to ambulate 50 feet
  • Commitment and motivation to participate in the program
  • Medical stability
  • Insurance Approval

Obtaining Your Physician Referral

In order to help facilitate a referral, download this Pulmonary Rehabilitation Referral Sheet and provide it to your physician. Please have your physician fill out the form and fax it to our office.

For appointments or more information about the Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, call 845-333-2015.