Healthcare
Services
Pulmonary Rehab
The Growney pulmonary health center provides pulmonary rehabilitation services to patients with qualifying lung diseases such as COPD, pulmonary fibrosis or asthma.
What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
The program consists of two phases:
- The CORE program is the initial phase which typically includes 12 weeks of monitored exercise conducted three times per week. In addition, patients participate in several key educational programs to help manage symptoms and make lifestyle adjustments. Each session is supervised by a licensed respiratory therapist along with an exercise physiologist who are under the direction of the program’s medical director. The CORE program is a one-time service followed by the second phase of the program called maintenance.
- The maintenance program is a self-pay program where patients are encouraged to continue exercising at the center under the supervision of qualified staff and with peers who also have similar lung conditions. This portion of the program is designed to maintain the cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness levels achieved in the CORE program. Emphasis is placed on the patient taking responsibility for his or her own health. Maintenance patients usually attend two–three days per week, on-going.
Pulmonary rehabilitation doesn’t replace medical therapy. Instead, it’s used with medical therapy and may include:
- Aerobic exercise training
- Weight training
- Nutritional counseling
- Education on your lung disease or condition and how to manage it
- Energy-conserving techniques
- Breathing strategies
- Therapeutic yoga
- Psychological counseling and/or group support
Who Should Participate?
Pulmonary rehabilitation may benefit persons who have:
- COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Patients scheduled for
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Lung transplantation
- Endobronchial valve placement
- In many cases, it is used as a post operative treatment for other types of lung surgeries
Ask your physician if pulmonary rehabilitation may benefit you.
Why Should I Participate?
Pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes have shown that when followed consistently it helps to:
- Improve the quality of life
- Reduce hospitalizations
- Reduce shortness of breath
- Increase the patient’s ability to manage and control the symptoms of chronic lung diseases
- In most cases where the patient is compliant and able to exercise, the ability to tolerate physical exertion and activities of daily living has improved
Prerequisites of the Program Include:
- A physician referral for pulmonary rehab
- Pulmonary function test results
- A medical history describing the patient’s lung disease
- Other exams as deemed necessary by the referring physician
What About Payment?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is an approved service covered by Medicare and most insurance companies. Medicare and other insurance companies have certain guidelines for coverage. In every case, when your physician refers you to pulmonary rehabilitation, you should contact your insurance providers to validate coverage and out of pocket expenses. The maintenance program is self-pay and is not covered by Medicare; however some private insurance companies may provide payment. Again, check with your insurance provider for specific coverage options.
Support Groups
Pulmonary rehabilitation patients are encouraged to seek additional support and knowledge by attending an appropriate support group listed below.
Special People of Organ Transplants: For persons and caregivers who are contemplating or have had lung transplantation. Please call 239-624-6800 for more information.
Naples Lung Disease Support Group: For persons with all sorts of lung disease. Meets at the NCH Growney pulmonary health center monthly. Please call 239-624-6800 for more information.
Help Our Community Breathe Easier
Support the Growney pulmonary health center. Gifts of all sizes are essential to meet the ever-increasing demand for pulmonary rehabilitation services in Collier county. To make a donation, visit NCH Healthcare Foundation or call 239-624-2000.
