Riverview Regional Medical Center celebrated the opening of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center last week with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Community members, local businesses, the Smith County Chamber of Commerce and RRMC team members were invited to learn about program offerings, see new equipment, and celebrate the new service that will help patients breathe easier.
This program is a medically supervised, progressive exercise and education program for individuals with breathing problems and chronic lung disorders.The purpose of the program is to help patients overcome the fear of being short of breath and restore the highest possible functional capacity.
On the RRMC website Lauren L. Cooper, DO, Medical Director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and physician at Carthage Family Wellness said “As a physician, I am so excited to work with the respiratory team so that we can provide a better quality of life for our patients and also keep them local in the community instead of having to send them outside of the county for these services. Pulmonary rehabilitation will be a team of respiratory therapists helping patients by addressing their underlying lung diseases such as emphysema, COPD, asthma and post-covid respiratory problems, by working on not only prevention but treatment of these respiratory illnesses.”
Patients will receive education about chronic lung disease and self-management of the symptoms that accompany breathing problems. They will be guided through physical conditioning to allow for a more active lifestyle. Patients will also be trained on breathing techniques, energy conservation, stress reduction, nutrition, and the use of prescribed respiratory care equipment and medications. Every patient is treated individually in regards to their symptoms, and goals.
Education, physical conditioning, and training take place during one-hour sessions either two or three days a week, over a 12-to-18-week period. Each patient has a team of experienced healthcare professionals on their side, including a primary care provider, respiratory therapists, and dietician.
The goal for each patient is to return them to the highest possible level of independent living. To learn more about the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at RRMC, visit MyRiverviewMedical.com/Pulmonary-Rehab
