Breathing
is an essential part of life, and for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and other chronic lung diseases, each breath can be an effort.
Coping with shortness of breath may become a full-time preoccupation.
If
you experience breathing problems as a result of chronic bronchitis, asthma,
emphysema or other lung diseases, there is something you can do.
The
Rice Rehabilitation Center's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services
will help you and
your family to better understand your disease and improve your quality of
life.
The
Rice Rehab Pulmonary Rehab program is a certified satellite for Rochester
Mayo Clinics NETT (National Emphysema Training Trial) program. This is a five-year
study funded by a federal government grant.
Phase
1: Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Goals of Pulmonary Rehabilitation--Phase 1:
- Decrease hospital
stays
- Improve capability
for carrying out activities of daily living
- Reduce anxiety
and depression and increase feelings of control and self-esteem
What can you expect
to gain from Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Our 24-session program
is designed to help you and your family learn more about chronic lung illnesses.
During your tailor-made
sessions, you will learn how to manage your respiratory problems through information
on:
- Anatomy and physiology
lessons
- Proper equipment
cleaning techniques
- Bronchial hygiene
techniques
- Relaxation techniques
- Oxygen therapy
- Breathing retraining
techniques
- Physical conditioning/exercising
- Medications
- Nutrition and
breathing
- Energy conservation
in daily activities
- Psychological
effects on you and your family
How to get started:
Pulmonary rehabilitation
is usually started as an outpatient service.
We will need the
following from you to get the program started:
- Written prescription/order
from your physician
- Current history
and physical
- Current chest
X-rays report
Specific information
about the program will be made available to you after receiving the above information
from your physician. Once enrolled, you will perform a pulmonary exercise test
and this will determine your pulmonary and cardiac exercise limits.
Insurance Coverages:
- Medicare pays
80% and secondary insurances generally pick up the remaining 20%.
- Most insurances
that cover outpatient services pay 80%; some may require prior authorization
before starting the program.
- Medical Assistance
covers the program.
Phase
2: Fitness Program
Fitness programs
at Rice Memorial Hospital were developed to meet a need expressed by the community
for an ongoing opportunity to exercise under the benefits of medical supervision.
A fitness program now exists for individuals who require supervised exercise,
regular blood pressure checks and oxygen monitoring. The goal of the fitness
program is to provide an exercise opportunity to improve the overall fitness
of each individual with ongoing health education and support.
More...
For more information
on the Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs at Rice Rehab:
lsti@rice.willmar.mn.us or (320)
231-4175
*There is also
a support group available for persons with chronic breathing problems and their
families. The group, Better Breathers, meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month
from 3:00 - 5:00pm in the Lakeland Health Center. Call 320-231-4175 for more
information.
