Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center

Pulmonary Rehabilitation 

Since its inception in 1982, the outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Mon Health Medical Center has been providing a specialized program to help individuals suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other lung conditions, such as asthma, black lung, bronchiectasis, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

The goal of Pulmonary Rehabilitation is to decrease shortness of breath and hospitalizations, therefore improving patients’ quality of life.  If you have been hospitalized with a breathing problem, or easily become short of breath while walking, you may benefit from this program. A physician order is required. To get scheduled, ask your doctor for a referral or, you can call the Pulmonary Rehabilitation department and we will be happy to obtain the required order and other test results from your doctor. 

What type of therapy is provided in Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Depending on your pulmonary diagnosis, your insurance may approve 12-36 sessions of outpatient therapy, in 2-3 one hour visits each week. Individuals enrolled in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program receive an exercise and education program designed specifically to meet their individual needs.  Some Pulmonary Rehabilitation occurs in group exercise sessions, while some therapy is provided in a one-on-one setting, depending on your insurance requirements.  The program is staffed with a respiratory therapist, exercise physiologist and registered nurses.  Participants receive monitoring of their breath sounds, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation during each session.

Instruction includes:
1. Breathing retraining exercises to decrease shortness of breath
2. Panic control and relaxation techniques; and
3. Reconditioning exercise using treadmills, NuSteps, recumbent bike, rowing machine, arm ergometer and weightlifting equipment. 

Education is an important part of pulmonary rehabilitation.  Topics include:
1. Lung function,
2. Medications,
3. Oxygen therapy,
4. Prevention of respiratory infections; and
5. Various techniques to decrease shortness of breath with daily activities

Most people who complete a pulmonary rehab course feel better at the end. They are able to perform more activity without becoming short of breath, and they report their overall quality of life is better.