Pulmonary Rehabilitation The overall goal of Opelousas General Health System's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is to restore patients to their optimal level of medical, physical, mental, emotional, social and vocational potential in order to improve their quality of life. Pulmonary Rehabilitation may prolong life, reduce disability and help accomplish many of the following goals: Improve shortness of breath (dyspnea) Increase exercise tolerance, strength and endurance Reduce anxiety, fear, and depression Maintain smoke free status Decrease sputum production Reduce cough Better control or perhaps alleviate the symptoms and complications of pulmonary disease. Achieve optimal level of independence and self-reliance Reduce healthcare costs Encourage participation in recreational pursuits, hobbies, and travel Improve performance of activities of daily living Improve nutritional status Manage and cope better with stress Develop a support system Utilize relaxation techniques and coping skills Recognize signs and symptoms and when to seek medical treatments Better understand the disease process, medications, behavior modifications and self-management skills Improve compliance re: healthier lifestyles Improve oxygen saturation levels Accomplishing these goals and others demonstrate the benefits and effectiveness of participating in a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. A Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, along with the support of families, friends, and healthcare providers, can make a tremendous difference in your life. Pulmonary Rehabilitation Helps Your Physician By: Facilitating communication between you and your physician Providing the physician with valuable information regarding your recovery and progress by the monitoring of your vital signs, symptoms and exercise responses including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion and dyspnea Providing the physician with specific guidelines for physical activity Serving as resource for educational information about pulmonary disease Preventative and Rehabilitative care Pulmonary rehabilitation...for the adult with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pulmonary Disease Pulmonary disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. The most common pulmonary diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, tuberculosis, lung cancer and adult cystic fibrosis. Over 30 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease. Asthma alone affects 14 million Americans, while bronchitis and emphysema affects 16 million Americans. The effects of these diseases have a tremendous impact on the quality of life and financial security for patients, families, and all of society. Preventative and rehabilitative care can help restore or promote independence and improve cardiopulmonary function for patients with pulmonary disease. Opelousas General Heath System: The only pulmonary rehabilitation program in the region accredited by the AACVPR (American Association of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation). A Team Effort The primary goal of out Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is to help restore and maintain an individual's independent function for a more productive, enjoyable and improved quality of life. The benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation are substantial and include: Decreased respiratory and psychological symptoms Increased exercise tolerance Independence in activities of daily living Decreased utilization of medical resources Reduced hospitalizations To help achieve benefits and accomplish goals, the OGHS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides medically supervised and monitored exercise training, respiratory care instruction, education about pulmonary diseases and intervention strategies, smoking cessation techniques, nutrition counseling, psychological support and intervention, oxygen therapy and stress management. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is coordinated by a qualified team of healthcare professionals and provide individually structured treatment plans for the patient and family. The Program assists participants in learning to manage the day-to-day challenges of living with a chronic lung disorder. Healthier lifestyles are promoted through components of exercise, education, diet, counseling and behavior modification. Exercise: Exercise programs are prescribed to progress and maximize the individual's current physical capabilities and exercise tolerance levels. Education: Current information is discussed to improve the patient's understanding and management of the disease and treatment protocols. Diet: Dietary counseling provides an evaluation with recommendations for improved nutritional status. Counseling: Interactive sessions offer guidance, encouragement, support and advice on techniques for managing and coping with pulmonary disease. Behavior Modification: Interventions and strategies are designed to help patients modify certain behaviors in order to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Impatient Setting Pulmonary rehabilitant may be recommended when a patient is hospitalized with complications from pulmonary disease. A patient treatment plan, which includes breathing retraining, educational sessions an exercise activated, may be initiated. Upon discharge, the physician may refer the patient to an outpatient setting for continuation of the program. Outpatient Setting Patients are admitted to the Outpatient Program by physician referral. This setting focuses on achieving long-term goals of rehabilitation through intensive education and physical training. The patient's treatment plan begins after a comprehensive evaluation of the individual's pulmonary status and exercise potential. Frequent assessment and/or modification of the treatment plan is done to ensure improvement in the patient's cardiopulmonary function. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team The OGHS Pulmonary rehabilitation Team is composed of healthcare providers and other professionals who assist with the planning and coordination of the program. This multi-disciplinary team may include physicians, respiratory therapists, registered nurses, exercise physiologists, dieticians, pharmacists and rehabilitation counselors or social workers. (Title of Photo Here)   (More Information Here)