Mercy's pulmonary rehabilitation program provides comprehensive, up-to-date pulmonary rehabilitation care. Mercy's approach to treatment is centered on a model of health and wellness, rather than disability or disease.

The objective of the program is to help patients manage and relieve physical and emotional symptoms and to teach and empower patients and their families to achieve optimal levels of independent living. This program will help each individual to achieve a higher level of physical, psychological, social and vocational wellness.

The Goals of Pulmonary Rehabilitation include:

• Controlling a alleviating symptoms
• Improving functional status and quality of life
• Increasing exercise tolerance
• Promoting independence and self-reliance
• Reducing exacerbations and hospitalizations
• Decreasing psychological symptoms such as anxiety or depression
• Encouraging participation in recreational activities
• Returning to gainful employment when possible

The Mercy Team

Pulmonary rehabilitation services are provided by a team of healthcare professionals both within and outside the hospital setting. Registered nurses, exercise specialists, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, social workers, spiritual professionals and dietitians work closely with patient and physician to achieve the best results possible.

Getting Started

Your doctor must refer you to our program. While we supervise and monitor your progress, you will remain under your doctor's care. He or she will receive periodic reports from our staff. Should a problem occur, it would be reported to your doctor.

Three Phases to Pulmonary Rehabilitation

The program, which consists of three phases, begins while you are in the hospital and continues after you are discharged to the outpatient setting. During each phase your strengths and abilities will increase gradually. Mercy's professional health care team will work with you and your doctor to individually design each phase to meet your specific needs.

Phase I

While in the hospital, our staff will work with you and your family before you are discharged to help you become familiar with the recommended daily routine designed to make you stronger. We will begin these activities in the hospital and help you become comfortable with various exercises and activities. In addition, Mercy staff will inform you about the outpatient portion of the program and what to expect.

Phase II

Within the first several weeks after you leave the hospital, you will begin phase II of your pulmonary rehabilitation program. Phase II takes place on an outpatient basis at one of Mercy's outpatient rehabilitation locations. You will visit the center of your choice three days a week for approximately eight weeks. Our staff will work closely with you to provide:

• Education and emotional support concerning pulmonary disease
• A progressive exercise program that increase your duration and the intensity of the exercise over time
• Breathing retraining and bronchial hygiene
• Relaxation and stress reduction techniques
• Nutrition counseling
• Smoking cessation program (if necessary)
• Assistance in managing activities of daily living
• Information on managing your medication

Throughout your sessions, our nurses and respiratory therapists will check your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation to monitor your condition and progress.

Phase III

This maintenance phase of the pulmonary rehabilitation program focuses on maintaining conditioning through endurance and strength training and independent regulation of exercise. In this phase, you will become responsible for regular monitoring of your response to exercise using the center's equipment. While the program staff will review your exercise progress regularly, you will take greater responsibility for independently conducting your exercise. The program continues to focus on teaching you how to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors to manager your chronic condition and, in addition, offers you encouragement to adhere to healthy lifestyle adjustments you have made, encourages independence, and offers a proactive approach to health maintenance.

Staying Healthy - A Way of Life

Pulmonary rehabilitation does not end with completion of the program. To maintain your health, you need to practice all you have learned for the rest of your life. Mercy's overall approach to your treatment is based on a model of health and wellness, not just managing your disease. We will provide you with information on exercise programs and information on other lifestyle programs designed to help you maintain your health.

For additional information about pulmonary rehabilitation, please ask your doctor.