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Environment > Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
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Our cardiopulmonary rehabilitation department
serves individuals whose physician has referred them
for services as a result of their heart and lung disease.
We provide telemetry-monitored exercise programs that
are individualized to our patients' needs. Our department
is equipped with exercise bicycles, treadmills, rowers,
arm ergometers, recumbent steppers and weights. We
also have a classroom within our unit where we provide
education and educational materials to our patients.
Our cardiac rehabilitation service is nationally certified.
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Patient populations: Most of the patients we serve
are geriatrics who have been referred for services due
to chronic lung disease such as emphysema, asthma, bronchitis,
COPD or pulmonary fibrosis and/or cardiac disease, such
as chest pain, PTLA/stent placement, heart attacks, heart
transplants and open-heart surgeries.
Services/treatments offered: We develop an exercise program
to meet the specific needs of each of our patients. We telemetry
monitor each patient during their exercise program along with taking
frequent checks of their blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation
levels. We provide biweekly classes to our patients to help support
their efforts toward the development of a healthy lifestyle.
Work environment: We have a close-knit, team-based, fast-paced
environment. Our staff works closely with board-certified cardiologists,
internal medicine physicians and general practitioners who help to
develop the exercise prescription for their patients.
Skill mix: RNs who are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life
Support (ACLS), LPNs and respiratory therapists. RNs are responsible
for completing an initial and ongoing assessment of our patients,
developing their plan of care, providing intervention as necessary
and re-evaluating their progress. LPNs and respiratory therapists
assist with various interventions throughout the course of care.
Other information about the unit: Because we provide services
three times a week for up to a 12-week period, we develop a close
relationship with our patients. We encourage our patients to continue
their healthy lifestyle changes that were started in cardiopulmonary
rehabilitation. Getting patients to continue their lifestyle changes
long-term is a big challenge for our unit. Our goal is to help the
patient regain a healthy, productive lifestyle and minimize future
health
problems.
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