Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Mercy's Pulmonary Rehabilitation program helps improve the quality of life for people with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic pulmonary conditions. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the clinical term for the group of disorders that are associated with persistent obstruction of the airways as in emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Restrictive lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, are more characteristic of difficulty getting enough volume of air into the lungs, and thus difficulty getting enough oxygen into the body.
Treatment includes working with your healthcare professional, taking your medications as directed, starting an exercise program and maintaining overall good health. Our Pulmonary Rehab program helps you accomplish these goals. Through evaluation, education, exercise, counseling and follow-up visits, participants in this six-week program learn how to manage their illness more effectively. Ultimately, many return to a more active lifestyle and become more involved in their own healthcare.
Evaluation
The initial evaluation of each participant in the Pulmonary Rehab program requires:
- Medical history review, X-rays and laboratory tests
- Assessment of the participant's knowledge about his or her illness
- Physical assessment
Enrollment
Enrollment in the program is open to adults with chronic pulmonary diseases who are referred by their doctor. Participants will remain under the care of their referring doctor throughout the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program, as the goal of the program is to complement your doctor's care, not replace it. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is covered by most insurance companies, including Medicare.
For more information about Mercy General's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services, call (916) 453-4268.
The program is also available at Mercy San Juan Medical Center and can be reached by calling (916) 537-5299.
