Pulmonary care

To diagnose lung and breathing disorders, our licensed pulmonary therapists and technologists deliver a wide range of testing services, including:

• Arterial blood gas analysis
• Bronchoscopy
• Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)
• Exercise blood gas studies
• Exercise oximetry
• Exercise spirometry
• Lung diffusion test (DLCO)
• Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) test
• Methacholine challenge studies
• Peak inspiratory mouth pressure (PIMAX) test
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
• Resting blood gas studies
• Shunt studies
• Spirometry

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy allows your doctor to view the passageways within the lower respiratory tract. During this procedure, they insert a long, narrow tube, called a bronchoscope, through the nose or mouth. Using this device, your physician can see the voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea), large airways to the lungs (bronchi) and smaller branches of the bronchi (bronchioles).

In addition to being an effective diagnostic tool, a bronchoscope can also be used to deliver oxygen, suction secretions, obtain tissue samples for biopsy, deliver medication and provide laser therapy.

While you will remain awake during a bronchoscopy, you are given a sedative to keep you relaxed. Additionally, a numbing agent is sprayed in the throat to minimize discomfort. Following the procedure, you will remain in the hospital for a brief observational period before arranging for someone to drive you home.

Lung cancer screening

As part of our commitment to providing comprehensive cancer care, we offer specialized lung cancer services. Our team works to carefully manage your condition by providing screening services to promote early detection of lung cancer when it's most treatable.

Pulmonary testing

PFTs are noninvasive diagnostic tests that provide important feedback about lung function. Pulmonary testing may vary, but it typically includes assessments of lung volume, lung capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange. PFTs are helpful for determining the presence, location, cause and characteristics of a problem occurring in the pulmonary system.

Normal values for PFTs vary from person to person, and your results are compared to the expected average for a person of the same age, height, sex and race.

Plethysmography testing

Certain types of PFTs are determined by plethysmography, including thoracic gas volume and other lung volume measurements. During plethysmography testing, you sit or stand inside an air-tight box that resembles a short, square telephone booth. While inside the box, our lung doctors will evaluate any lung volume changes and airway resistance and conductance.

Spirometry testing

Some PFTs use a spirometer, an instrument that measures how quickly air is inhaled and exhaled from the lungs while you breathe through a mouthpiece. The measurements are recorded on a device called a spirograph.

In addition to measuring the inhalation and exhalation process, spirometry testing can also indicate how effectively oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged within the air sacs of the lungs (alveoli).

Our trained respiratory specialists work hard to treat and manage all types of respiratory disease, including cardiopulmonary conditions. Pulmonary care and cardiology are closely related, as the lungs work in combination with the heart to carry oxygen throughout the body.

We offer a wide range of cardiopulmonary services, including:

• Administering medications
• Analyzing blood specimens
• Implanting and helping maintain artificial airways
• Measuring lung capacity
• Monitoring and managing lung therapy
• Obtaining and analyzing sputum and breath specimens
• Operating and maintaining oxygen treatments
• Sleep disorder care
• Smoking cessation classes
• Stress tests and other cardiopulmonary studies
• Ventilator care

This type of specialized therapy is a useful resource if you have chronic respiratory disease (CRD). Pulmonary rehabilitation can help reduce troubling symptoms, decrease the effects of disabilities, increase the ability to participate in daily activities and improve your overall quality of life.

Our pulmonary rehabilitation program includes:

• Behavioral intervention
• Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
• Counseling
• Education
• Exercise training

To participate in pulmonary rehabilitation, you must quit smoking or begin a smoking cessation program. You may attend rehabilitation twice a week for several weeks or months, depending on your individual needs.