Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Every day at the Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center is a life changing experience for individuals suffering from chronic lung disease. This program is designed to address the difficult challenges facing them including shortness of breath, decreased strength and endurance, reduced energy levels, reduced self-esteem and ability to care for oneself, fear, anxiety, depression and isolation. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a comprehensive eight-week program, which includes 32 hours of intensive education and 36 hours of exercise.Our highly specialized team provides intensive exercise, education, self-management training, and psychosocial support under the medical direction of a board certified Pulmonologist (lung specialist). Core team members include the medical director, physical, occupational and respiratory therapists, as well as registered dieticians, licensed clinical psychologist, pharmacist, social worker, and clinical nurse specialist. "All of these experts work together to improve the quality of each participant's life through careful assessment of his or her individual needs, appropriate setting of goals, and intensive therapy and training," says Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary specialist Dr. Jeffrey Riker, MD.
Graduates continue with their progress long after completing the program because of two important program features. All clients are encouraged to attend a monthly support group and after completing their eight-week program are eligible for an exclusive ongoing maintenance, exercise and support program. The maintenance program assists graduates in maintaining the higher level of function and overall level of activity achieved through their rehabilitation program.
Outcomes have been carefully measured with outstanding results:
- In a sample of 76 patients, hospital costs were reduced by 57% in one year.
- Overall level of breathlessness improved in 85% of patients.
- Graduates were able to walk two times longer and six times farther than when they started the program.
- In the most recent customer satisfaction survey, patients rated the program four out of a top score of four in the areas of courtesy, quality of service, and successfulness of their treatment.
Program Goals
- To reduce hospitalizations;
- To reduce emergency room visits;
- To reduce respiratory symptoms;
- Improve overall health status;
- Improve quality of life;
- Increase energy, strength and endurance;
- Improve self-reliance and independence and gain control over ones life;
- Enhance ability to perform activities of daily living;
- Increase understanding of pulmonary disease, medicines/treatments, nutritional needs and anxiety/depression;
- Return to work for some patients; and
- Increase ability to participate in home, recreational and community activities.
Program Structure
- Goal oriented, team approach.
- Extensive evaluations by Physical, Occupational and Respiratory Therapists. Subsequent evaluation by pulmonologist/ medical director and team conference with patient, support persons and team members.
- Involvement of family/support persons is encouraged to maximize understanding of information and enhance patient compliance/ability to adopt appropriate lifestyle changes.
- Participants meet three times per week for eight weeks for three to four hours a day.
- Each participant completes 32 hours of education/training and 36 hours of exercise.
- Long term maintenance program available.
Populations Served
- Stable Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Bronchiectasis
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Asthmatic Bronchitis
- Restrictive Pulmonary Disease (e.g., Asbestosis/Interstitial Lung Disease)
- Lung resection
- Pre/post lung reduction surgery
- Pre/post lung transplantation
- Commitment to attend eight week program three times per week
- Motivated to improve functional abilities/quality of life
Treatment Program
Education- Airway Clearance Techniques
- Oxygen/Respiratory Equipment
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nutrition
- Medication and Weight Management
- Self Assessment/Management
- Coping/Panic Control
- Traveling with Lung Disease
- Smoking Cessation
- Advance Directives
- Psychosocial Support
- Effective and Safe Exercise
Training
- Breathing Retraining
- Physical conditioning/Endurance Exercises
- General Muscle Strengthening
- Flexibility
- Chest Mobilization
- Respiratory Muscle Strengthening
- Energy Conservation
- Body Mechanics
- Stress and Relaxation
- Activities at Daily Living Training
- Pacing
Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Team
Medical DirectorThe medical director is an experienced, board certified pulmonologist (lung specialist) as well as an internist, who performs an extensive medical review and examination of each patient prior to entrance into the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. The medical director determines the appropriateness of rehabilitation services, and in collaboration with the team, sets the patients rehabilitation goals. He prescribes safe levels of exercise and oxygen use for exercise (if needed). The medical director makes recommendations regarding further medical work up, medication, equipment needs and treatment plans. Communication with patients, referring and primary physicians is a critical component of his job.
Jeffrey B. Riker, M.D., F.C.C.P., F.C.C.M.
Diplomat, American Boards of Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care Medicine and Internal Medicine.
Dr. Riker has been a board Certified Pulmonologist since 1972. He graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1965 and has worked at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center since 1972. He is the Medical Director of the Respiratory Care and Critical Care Departments as well as the Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Department at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. He is also a clinical professor at the University of California Irvine Medical Center.
Physical Therapy
A licensed physical therapist evaluates and identifies each patient's functional limitations, assesses their musculoskeletal system as well as their breathing patterns, cardiovascular and pulmonary responses to activity, equipment needs and safety issues. The physical therapist designs the plan of care and provides breathing retraining as well as physical training in strength, flexibility and endurance exercises with close monitoring of vital signs, heart rhythms and oxygen saturation levels. Additional instruction includes energy conservation, pacing techniques, safe and appropriate levels of exercise and self monitoring as well as ways to make successful life style changes, and improve posture and safety.
Respiratory Therapy
A licensed respiratory care practitioner (RCP) evaluates each participant and provides instruction and training in the appropriate use of metered-dose inhalers (MDI), spacer devices, and nebulizers for effective medication delivery. The RCP trains patients in safe operation, handling and cleaning requirements for various types of home respiratory equipment and assists patients in the selection and safe handling issues of home oxygen devices.
In addition, the RCP provides instruction in air clearance strategies, and works closely with patients to train them in self-management skills such as avoidance of environmental irritants, infection control techniques, and recognizing signs and symptoms of respiratory illness.
Occupational Therapy
A registered occupational therapist evaluates every patient for difficulties with their breathing during activities of daily living (ADL), as well as work, leisure and recreational activities. Goals and treatment plans are designed to assists patients in conserving energy, pacing his or her activities, stress reduction, relaxation and using proper body mechanics during activities to reduce shortness of breath.
Pharmacy
A licensed pharmacist provides current information on patient's medications, side effects, and drug interaction with emphasis on understanding the importance of his or her different medicines and compliance.
Dietary
A registered dietician provides group and individual instruction on the essential components of a proper diet and weight management with attention to the special needs of adults with chronic breathing disorders.
Medical Social Work
Our program social worker provides ongoing support groups for participants to address their psychosocial needs as well as the emotional difficulties facing the population. The social worker also provides information and discusses community resources available to each participant.
Location Details for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
