Asthma Asthma in Pregnancy Bronchodilator Medications Chronic Bronchitis Emphysema Exercise Stress Testing Pneumonia Sarcoid Tuberculosis Peak Flow Log Smoking DiaryUse of specialized pulmonary and sleep related medical equipment
Initial education and follow up review of the specialized techniques and methods of using and maintaining the following devices: aerosol nebulizers, oxygen, CPAP/BiPAP, suctioning, ventilators.
Breathing exercises
Sessions individualized for each patient to learn and practice techniques of breathing to reduce shortness of breath and sputum mobilization techniques.
Supervised exercise for endurance
Patients with shortness of breath are taught how to employ special breathing techniques while doing basic aerobic activity (bicycle or treadmill) in order to improve endurance as measured by the 6 minute walk, or a target duration and workload. The ultimate goal is to learn the strategies of breathing to employ in one's daily exercise.
Smoking cessation
Initially weekly, then monthly meetings with the nurse to review smoking triggers and strategies to alter smoking need, combined in certain cases with the use of topical or chewable nicotine preparations.
Nutrition in lung disease
Monthly sessions to review basics of nutrition in order to achieve weight loss for sleep apnea, weight gain for severe cachexia related to emphysema, or low fat diets for elevated serum lipids.
Format
There is no fixed number of sessions that one must attend. Each person establishes his or her own curriculum based on individual needs, within the framework of the care plan outlined by the physician jointly with the nurse, therapist or technician. Sessions are 45 minutes in duration. Most are individual one on one, though some may periodically be in a group setting depending on the nature of the topic and the needs of the patients.
Reimbursement
Numerous studies have shown the improvement in patient health and wellness, as well as cost effectiveness of a comprehensive program of outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation and patient education. Each session of the Lungs at Work Pulmonary Wellness and Testing program is $60.00, payable at the time of the office visit. Should you wish to find out if your insurance carrier would cover the cost of the sessions, you would need to contact the insurance company directly to obtain precertification, and verification of coverage.
If you wish to participate in any of the programs, please call one of the nurse educators at 732-390-0044 or email at pccalungs@gmail.com