Our new pulmonary function testing lab has arrived! Lung disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects nearly 13 million Americans. The good news is that rehabilitation for people with pulmonary disease reduces the need for hospitalization and improves survival rates, and the pulmonary care team at Cass Regional is here to help. Our dedicated professionals support you in making changes to decrease the impact of pulmonary disease. Our goal is to help you feel better in both mind and body. How does pulmonary rehabilitation help? Most people with pulmonary disease can maintain their usual level of activity if they follow appropriate health care measures. Our pulmonary rehabilitation program, directed by a doctor who specializes in internal medicine, helps patients do that. Our highly trained team, which may include respiratory therapists, physical therapists and nutritionists, designs a care plan that meets your individual needs. Pulmonary rehabilitation therapists provide supervised exercise training, respiratory care instruction, smoking cessation assistance, nutrition counseling, oxygen therapy and education. This structured treatment plan can extend your life, reduce disability and enable you to enjoy everyday activities. Pulmonary rehabilitation can also help people who develop a condition called post-COVID fibrosis. This is scar tissue in the lungs, which makes them less flexible, causing lower oxygen levels. Symptoms of lung fibrosis include shortness of breath and a cough. With rehab, most patients improve significantly over time. Patients will need an order from their provider to start pulmonary rehabilitation. To learn more, please call 816-380-3474, ext. 7110. What to know about pulmonary rehabilitation COPD Support Group Tuesday, Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cass Regional Medical Center Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3 2800 E. Rock Haven Road, Harrisonville, MO 64701 This support group is for people diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their caregivers. Participants provide support to one another and learn methods to manage their condition while taking part in everyday activities. To RSVP for the luncheon, please contact Respiratory Services Director Tonya Lichte at 816-380-3474, ext. 4160, or email tlichte@cassregional.org. The new pulmonary function testing lab is here, proudly displayed by Tonya Lichte, RRT, director of respiratory services! Proceeds from Cass Regional Medical Center Foundation’s spring fundraising dinner and auction, Boots & Bar-B-Que, were used to fund the lab, which replaced one that had been in service since 2009. The lab is used to help diagnose more than 750 patients per year. Cass Regional’s respiratory therapists administer lung function tests, and doctors use their findings to diagnose and treat people living with lung disease and/or infection. Many thanks again to our donors—your support ensures that we continue to have the best available equipment for our therapists; doctors; and, most important, our patients! Wellness Matters | Fall 2023 5
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