United Hospital Center (UHC) celebrates National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, this week – March 12-18. The goal is to promote awareness of the role pulmonary rehabilitation plays in enhancing the quality of life for those who struggle to take a breath.
“Inspiration for Life”, this year’s theme, honors individuals who struggle to overcome shortness of breath and the pulmonary professionals who work every day to alleviate that struggle and improve patients.
“We invite the community to join UHC’s pulmonary rehabilitation celebration, as we focus attention on pulmonary rehabilitation’s contribution to the enhancement of the life of a person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” said Cheryl Farley, manager of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at UHC.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program for patients with chronic lung disease, like COPD or Pulmonary Fibrosis. Greater visibility is needed for the chronic pulmonary patient who constantly lives with shortness of breath and faces a future of declining health.
At UHC the pulmonary rehabilitation center is designed around individuals suffering from these conditions, as well as those seeking services that will help them learn how to improve their pulmonary health. It is a program based on exercise and education, with the intent to slow the disease progression and help people live a more productive life, as well as a better quality of life.
Almost anyone with lung disease can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation and no one is too old or young. Pulmonary Rehab is covered by Medicare and most private insurances. Please contact your physician to see if you qualify to enter the program.
The UHC rehab program features state-of-the-art fitness equipment, including treadmills, free weights, arm ergometers, Nu Steps and stationary bicycles. The highly specialized staff works closely with each patient and his or her physician in developing individualized exercise treatment plans to meet their needs. These workouts are conducted under the supervision of registered nurses specially trained in pulmonary care who monitor each person’s vital signs to measure the body’s response to the exercise.
Pulmonary rehabilitation at UHC is a nationally certified program through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Pulmonary rehab nurses, physicians, dieticians (available) and other health care providers are available to help you improve your activity tolerance and modify your risk factors so that you can live a healthy lifestyle, both at home and at work. Each patient works toward these goals at his or her own pace and according to individual needs.
Phase II and III of pulmonary rehab is located on the first level of UHC at 327 Medical Park Drive in Bridgeport, W.Va. If you would like more information concerning the UHC Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, call 681-342-2425.
