The Pulmonary Function Tests at St. John’s Riverside Hospital measure the function of lung capacity and lung and chest wall mechanics to determine whether or not a patient has a lung problem.

The program is staffed by registered respiratory therapists and Pulmonologists (MDs). When a patient is referred for a pulmonary function test, it means that a battery of tests may be performed on the patient, including:

• Simple Screening Spirometry
• Static Lung Volume Measurement
• Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide
• Airway Resistance
• Respiratory Muscle Strength
• Arterial Blood Gases
• Impulse Oscillometry

PFT’s are used for:

1. Screening for the presence of restrictive or obstructive diseases.
2. Document the progression of pulmonary disease.
3. Document the effectiveness of the therapeutic intervention.
4. Evaluating a patient before surgery.

This is especially true for patients who:

• Are older than 60-65 years of age
• Are known to have pulmonary disease
• Are obese
• Have a history of smoking, coughing or wheezing
• Will be under anesthesia for a lengthy period of time
• Undergoing abdominal or thoracic surgery

An unofficial report can be faxed to the ordering physician as soon as the test is complete. Official reports are usually available within 24 hours of the completion of the test.

The Pulmonary Rehab program at St. Johns Riverside Hospital helps participants better manage their lung conditions to lead more active and enjoyable lives. Through exercise and education, people in the Pulmonary Rehab program will maximize their strength and develop strategies to manage their disease to minimize future exacerbation. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is individualized for each participant. The program lasts for 6 to 8 weeks. At the end of that time, you can enroll in our maintenance program, which will help you retain the conditioning you have received.

Participants meet in the CardioPulmonary Unit two to three times a week. Each one-hour session includes an individually prescribed and monitored program for warming up, stretching, exercising, and cooling down. Exercise equipment includes a treadmill, rowing machine, arm ergometer, stationary bicycle, free weights, and more. Exercise sessions are approximately one hour long and include warm-up, aerobic conditioning, and cool-down. During each session, you will work at your speed and tolerance at workloads prescribed by the Pulmonary Rehab Team. A nurse or physical therapist will conduct exercises while a respiratory therapist monitors your oxygen level and tolerance to exercise.

The program is staffed by Registered Respiratory Therapists, Registered nurses, Exercise Physiologists, Pulmonologists, and Social workers. All exercise modules are required. All education classes are required.

Sessions may include all or some:

• Breathing Retraining Nutrition
• Medication Managing Secretions
• Oxygen Use Community Resources
• Introduction to Exercise Respiratory System
• Relaxation Time and Energy
• Conservation Inhaler Use
• Avoiding Irritants Psychosocial
• Warning Signs

Education sessions are approximately 1 ½ hours long each and include lectures/discussions, videos, and handouts. We encourage you to ask questions.

Sleep Medicine is a subspecialty devoted to diagnosing and treating sleep disturbances and disorders. Our sleep specialists treat many sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep-wake cycle disorder, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and nocturnal seizures.

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