Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that helps to improve breathing and overall health of people living with the effects of lung disease and/or lung surgery. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at The Jewish Hospital is tailored to meet your individual needs and will include the following: 

• Exercise classes that are supervised and monitored
• Education classes where you can learn how to cope and deal with your breathing problem
• Lessons on breathing techniques that help reduce shortness of breath
• Instructions in adjusting eating habits to best meet your nutritional needs

The program meets the needs of those who are experiencing or have experienced any of the following lung disorders: 

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma)
• Bronchiectasis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Pre/post lung surgery
• Lung transplantation
• Other lung disorders
• Decreased exercise tolerance and fatigue
• Difficulty breathing
• History of smoking

The primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to improve the quality of your life. While attending our education classes, you are able to meet with others who are going through similar experiences: shortness of breath, panic, lack of control of their lives and possible loss of self-esteem and self worth. It is the objective of the program that you will learn to cope and manage your disease, no longer allowing the disease to control you! By the end of the program, daily tasks that had become difficult to handle will again be manageable. 

The path to a positive, healthy lifestyle is led by a specialized team of professionals: 

As a participant in The Jewish Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, you will have the opportunity to interact and learn from our team of experts as they assist you in your journey to managing your lung disease. 

• Cardiopulmonary nurses¾make the initial assessment and create and monitor your personal education and exercise program.
• Respiratory therapists¾monitor oxygen and equipment use and your response to the exercise program.
• Primary Care Physicians/Pulmonologists¾refer patients to the program and follow progress of the participants.
• Exercise Specialists¾assist in the development and monitoring of your exercise program.
• Nutritionist¾review diet history and evaluate your nutritional needs.

Once you have been referred to the program, the program director will set up an interview to review your medical history, current medications and functional capacity. 

An exercise test, carefully monitored by one of the staff, will be scheduled to determine your present functional capacities and develop your personal exercise program. 

Depending on individual needs, you will then attend four or five one-hour education classes. 

You will also participate in twenty-eight one-hour exercise classes. These classes are currently available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 12:15 pm and 3:15 pm.

Who pays for the program? 

Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance companies cover 80 to 100 percent of the cost of the program. The pulmonary rehabilitation staff can call your insurance company to check on your coverage. Be assured that your physician and pulmonologist receive periodic reports on your progress. If you have any questions or would be interested in attending the program, please call us at 513-686-6800.