Gawlicki Family COPD Disease Management Program
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive disease that requires a lifetime of management. Our multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, an APRN, an RN Care coordinator, respiratory therapists, psychologists, dietitians, and others manage your care and plan your individualized treatment to minimize the effects and slow the progression of chronic lung disease. We utilize the GOLD standards to diagnose and treat all stages of COPD.
How We Treat
The outpatient COPD program offers diagnostic services and creates an individualized treatment plan for your COPD. Wellness visits include an assessment of the overall impact of your COPD, and works to reduce symptoms and maximize your quality of life. We offer RN care coordination to communicate test results and plan of care, and make referrals as needed to your primary care physician (PCP) and/or other specialties; on-site pulmonary rehabilitation if recommended by the pulmonologist; oxygen monitoring; durable medical equipment ordering, education, and respiratory support and follow up. You may also come in for sick visits for COPD exacerbations to help prevent hospital readmission or ER visits. If you require acute hospitalization for any issues regarding your COPD, you may be directly admitted to our inpatient unit from a hospital ER, or from a physician’s office for symptom management. Our staff will help coordinate with your PCP and/or home care agency.
You will work with physical and occupational therapists to learn techniques to decrease the amount of energy you use for walking, climbing stairs, completing self-care and performing chores so you can breathe easier during these activities.
We offer exercise groups to focus on endurance and mild strength training using fitness equipment at our Fitness Center.
Our staff will teach you about the respiratory process and your disease, assess and eliminate unhealthy behaviors, and help you to manage your self-care at home.
We offer medication management for current and new medications, discuss treatment options and educate you on usage.
Program Highlights
- We follow the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease standards
- Pulmonary Exercise Program (PEP) to maintain a physical fitness level that was achieved during this program
- Pulmonary Outpatient Weight Reduction (POWR) and nutritional support
- Support Groups