COPD / Restrictive Lung Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the clinical term for the group of disorders that are associated with the chronic obstruction of airflow into and out of the lungs. Thousands of people suffer from breathing problems associated with asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis (a restrictive lung disease).
Chronic lung diseases cannot be cured; however, they are treatable. At Mercy General Hospital, we provide expert treatment for COPD patients. Treatment includes working with your healthcare professional, taking your medications as directed, starting an exercise program and maintaining overall good health.
Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation program can help you accomplish these goals.
What you need to know: a guide for COPD patients
Mercy has developed a special guideline for treatment and care of patients with COPD. This guideline will be used by you and your caregivers to help you recover as quickly as possible. Below is a day-to-day guide of what you may expect to occur during your stay at the hospital. This is only a guideline - your progress may vary due to your own unique situation and health status.
|
Day 1 | You may expect to:
- Have an oxygen test using a small finger clip and be given oxygen to help you breathe if necessary
- Have a care team member listen to your lung sounds and assist you with breathing treatments
- Have your weight measured
- Have an IV started
- Have your fluid intake and urine output monitored
- Have your blood drawn for testing
- Have your sputum collected for testing
- Be taken to Radiology for a chest X-ray
- Receive instructions and be given information on what COPD is, acute vs. chronic COPD, prevention of recurrent hospitalizations and self- management skills
Days 2-4 | You may expect to:
- Receive additional information/instruction about COPD and your medications
- Increase your activity as tolerated
- Continue your breathing treatments
- Have oxygen adjusted to meet your needs
- Have your medications changed from IVs to pills with less frequent doses
- Be shown methods for self medication with metered dose inhaler (MDI); adjusting medications; control of shortness of breath; pursed-lipped breathing and coughing techniques
|
|
|
|
Services available to you:
- Optional follow-up to Pulmonary Rehabilitation / Continuing Exercise Program
- Pulmonary Round Table or Pulmonary Pals (Better Breathers Club)
-
Smoking Cessation Program
Let a member of your care team know if you would like information from any of the following representatives:
- Discharge Planning (Continuum of Care Coordinator)
- Chaplaincy
- Social Service
- Nutrition
- Pharmacy
|
