Pulmonology & Respiratory Care

Jefferson Regional Medical Center’s Respiratory Care department offers both in-patient and out-patient treatments and specializes in caring for patients with a variety of heart and lung disorders. From infants with underdeveloped lungs to elderly patients with lung disease, our patient-centered Respiratory team will work hard to develop the right treatment plan for you or your loved one.

Jefferson Regional’s Respiratory Care department staffs experienced licensed respiratory therapists, working under the direction of a physician, treating respiratory illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia as well as many other respiratory ailments while providing care throughout the hospital. They are committed to providing quality outcomes, following evidence-based practice guidelines, policies and protocols in multiple areas throughout the hospital. Our advanced respiratory care services are designed to help you breathe easier, for various pulmonary and respiratory conditions.

Respiratory Care Services

Inpatient services at Jefferson Regional include:

• Small volume nebulizer therapy (updraft)
• Aerosol therapy (heated and cooled)
• Meter Dose Inhaler (MDI)
• Intermittent Positive Ventilation (IPV)
• Sputum Induction Oxygen Therapy
• Incentive Spirometry/ Sustained Maximal Inspiration (SMI)
• Chest physiotherapy/ Postural Drainage
• Airway management
• Tracheal Suctioning (nasotracheal or endotracheal)
• Assisting with the care of a tracheostomy
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Adult, pediatric, infant)
• Ventilator Management
• Non Invasive Ventilator Management
• Arterial Blood Gas analysis
• Bedside bronchoscopy
• Bedside pulmonary function studies
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Education and learning opportunities

Outpatient respiratory services at Jefferson Regional include:

• Arterial Blood Gas analysis
• Bronchoscopy
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
• Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy (Super Dimension)
• Methacholine Challenge (for diagnosis of asthma)
• Pulmonary Function Studies

Jefferson Regional Bronchoscopy Lab

The Jefferson Regional Bronchoscopy lab is an outpatient lab designed to provide maximum comfort, efficiency and safety to patients requiring bronchoscopies.

Our team of highly-skilled physicians along with four specialized respiratory therapist ensure rapid access to the safest, most accurate procedures in treating airway disease. Often, we may diagnose, perform cancer staging, treat and relieve a patient’s symptoms in one procedure. And with on-site pathology many patients know their diagnosis immediately after the procedure.

Our lab is equipped the latest technology that allows are Pulmonologist to complete accurate lung related diagnosis quickly.

• Endobronchial Ultrasound Bronchoscopy (EBUS) is a minimally invasive but highly effective procedure used to diagnose lung cancer, infections, and other diseases causing enlarged lymph nodes in the chest.
• Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB) is an innovative procedure using electromagnetic technology, which allows steer ability and movability to obtain tissue samples of lung masses.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. This includes how well you’re able to breathe and how effective your lungs are able to bring oxygen to the rest of your body. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders.

Pulmonary Services

Jefferson Regional’s has four board-certified Pulmonary Critical Care physicians available to provide the expert care you need for your breathing and lung disorders. Our experienced pulmonologist provide care 24/7 coverage in the hospital providing consults and caring for the most critically ill patients in the ICU. In order to achieve continuity of care and management of your disease or illness, they provide out-patient clinic five days per week. When indicated, we also offer referral to experienced, board-certified physicians in all other Jefferson Regional specialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology, hematology and oncology. All subspecialty services are performed in state-of-the-art facilities using the most up-to-date medical technology.

Conditions Pulmonologist Treat

To diagnose and evaluate diseases affecting the chest, the pulmonary specialists at JRMC utilize a wide range of state-of-the-art services.

Pulmonologist Common Testing And Procedures

When To See A Pulmonologist

• have difficulty breathing
• have a persistent cough
• regularly cough up blood or mucus
• smoke
• have unexplained weight loss
• have trouble exercising due to breathing problems

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a common illness that can be serious or even life-threatening. Each year in the United States, roughly 5 – 10 million individuals become infected with pneumonia. It is the third most frequent (heart disease being second) cause of hospitalizations in the US and nearly 55,000 will die from it each year.

Symptoms Of Pneumonia

• coughing that may produce mucus
• fever, sweating, chills
• shortness of breath

Pneumonia Risk Factors

Anyone can get pneumonia, but some people are at a higher risk than others. These are factors that can increase your chances of contracting pneumonia:

• Cigarette smoking
• Recent viral respiratory infection—a cold, laryngitis, influenza, etc. Difficulty swallowing (due to stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or other neurological conditions), which can lead to aspiration (breathing in a foreign object)
• Chronic lung disease such as COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis
• Cerebral palsy
• Other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes
• Living in a nursing facility
• Impaired consciousness (loss of brain function due to dementia, stroke, or other neurologic conditions)
• Recent surgery or trauma
• Having a weakened immune system due to illness, certain medications, and autoimmune disorders

Not all cases of pneumonia can be prevented, but taking certain measures decreases the chances of being diagnosed.

Ways To Help Prevent Pneumonia:

• Get vaccinated
• Stop smoking
• Wash your hands
• Lead a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly

Jefferson Regional also proudly participates in safe practices and guidelines to prevent Hospital Acquired Pneumonia (HAP) during our patients stay at our hospital.

COPD

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to two long-term lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that often occur together making it hard for you to breathe. The main cause of COPD is long-term exposure to substances that irritate and damage the lungs. Cigarette smoke is the most common cause of COPD. You might also develop this condition if you’ve been exposed to things like dust, air pollution, or certain chemicals for long periods of time. There are more than 3 million cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. COPD is not curable, but it’s important to get treatments for your symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. According to the American Lung Association, the following can aid in the prevention of a CPOD diagnosis:

• Do not smoke
• Avoid Exposure to Pollutants That Can Damage Your Lungs
• Prevent Infection
• Get Regular Healthcare Screening
• Exercise

Jefferson Regional pulmonologist are here to assist you with developing the very best plan of care for managing your COPD. The treatment plans available along with life style changes can make living with this disease manageable.

Please follow the links to find out more about Jefferson Regional Pulmonologist and the Jefferson Regional Pulmonary Clinic

Find a Pulmonologist
Learn more about the JRMC Pulmonary Clinic