Participation A multidisciplinary team of professionals including pulmonary physicians, respiratory therapists, nurses and exercise physiologists, dieticians and various other health professionals will work with you to develop rehabilitation goals that are right for you. A Personalized Program
Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs are focused on each individual patient. St. Rita's therapists set specific goals with each patient based on what they want to achieve. The rehab program is then customized to meet the patient's goals. The basis of our pulmonary rehabilitation program lies in two disciplines: education and exercise. During educational sessions, patients will learn to understand their lung disease, control anxiety and shortness of breath, use medications properly and incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. Dieticians also provide nutritional counseling to patients to encourage well-balanced meals. The program also includes exercises to strengthen the upper body and muscles used for breathing. Stationary bicycling and waling on the treadmill are also incorporated into the program to help increase endurance. Services
Four Phases of Rehabilitation
Phase II rehab takes place three times a week in Cardiopulmonary Services at St. Rita's for approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The other days of the week, the patient is encouraged to continue rehabilitation exercises at home. Most patients attend a total of six to ten weeks in the Medical Center. However, the actual number will be adjusted based on each patient's personal needs. Registered nurses, respiratory therapists and exercise physiologists provide continuous monitoring for all patients while they are exercising. In the program, patients will exercise using a treadmill, stationary exercise bicycle, strength training and a box step in addition to upper body exercises. Patients also have the option to continue their participation in the Phase III/IV pulmonary rehabilitation program. Phase III and IV Rehabilitation
Location and Insurance Information
Once Phase II is complete, patients can choose to continue their rehab on their own at home or progress to Phases III and IV with the St. Rita's staff. Upon progression to Phases III and IV, the patient will move to Outpatient Rehabilitation at the 830 W. High Street building under the supervision of certified therapists. Phase II pulmonary rehabilitation is generally covered by most insurance companies, including Medicare. At the time of the referral, Pulmonary Rehab will contact the patient to secure their insurance information and contact the insurance provider to determine their coverage. Following insurance approval, the patient will be contacted to set up an evaluation for the pulmonary rehab program. There are some limitations to the number of sessions applicable per each insurance plan, however our staff will check with your insurance agent or company benefits administrator for a full explanation of your coverage and to verify physician/hospital participation with our health plan. |
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