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When Breathing Doesn't Come Easily
Department of Cardiopulmonary Services
Monmouth Medical Center
An Affiliate of Barnabas Health
Monmouth Medical Center's Pulmonary Function Laboratory offers services
for most airway disorders. The lab's staff includes a registered
pulmonary function technologist and a staff of specially trained
, licensed respiratory therapists to perform procedures and to
assist the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases,
including:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Pnuemonia
- Lung cancer
- Cystic Fibrosis
The respiratory therapist has a major role in the patient's health
care team, working with physicians and nurses in providing evaluation,
diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. The pulmonary lab
provides diagnostic testing including:
- Pulmonary Function Testing,
including spirometry (to measure air flow and volume), lung volumes
(to determine whether air is trapped in the lungs) and diffusion
capacity (to measure the rate of transfer of air, or oxygen, from
the lungs to the bloodstream). Physician may order these tests
to determine inhalation and exhalation, flow rates, air trapping
and gas transfer.
- Arterial Blood Gas Analysis, including pH, carbon dioxide and
oxygen levels, allows the pulmonologist to check for adequate oxygen
level. Specialty tests for carbon monoxide levels are also available.
- Oximetry
Studies determine the percentage of oxygen saturation in patients
suffering from shortness of breath. These tests also are ordered
to meet guidelines for home oxygen therapy.
- Bronchoscopy is performed
by a board-certified pulmonologist using a state-of-the-art flexible
bronchofiberscope. Performed in the Pulmonary Function Laboratory
suite, this diagnostic procedure obtains lung tissue samples for
analysis. Depending on the diagnosis, cryotherapy (tissue freezing)
and tracheobronchial stent placement (to keep the patients airway
open following tumor removal) also can be performed.
Hours for the Pulmonary Laboratory are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday,
Wednesday and Friday. Evening hours can be arranged and all testing
can be scheduled at the patient's convenience, including some Tuesday
and Thursday appointments. Patients should call for an appointment
and then bring a physician's prescription or referral to the hospital's
outpatient registration prior to visiting the lab. All results are
interpreted by a board-certified pulmonologist and are sent to the
referring physician within two days. Test results also can be faxed
to the referring physician immediately.
For most people, breathing is effortless and occurs spontaneously.
But when a medical condition or unexpected injury makes breathing
difficult, treatment becomes necessary. Monmouth's respiratory therapists
provide inpatient care including ventilator management, including
high frequency and oscillatory ventilation in Monmouth's Regional
Newborn Center, tracheotomy care, aerosolized medication delivery,
as well as diagnostic services for the inpatient and outpatient
population. Monmouth Medical Center's Pulmonary Function Laboratory
offers services for most airway disorders. The lab's staff includes
a registered pulmonary function technologist and a staff of specially
trained , licensed respiratory therapists to perform procedures
and to assist the physician in the diagnosis and treatment of lung
diseases. Additionally, The Pulmonary
Rehabilitation Program at
Monmouth Medical Center is designed for individuals living with
pulmonary disease. Through exercise and education, participants
will become more active and independent - and on their way to a
better quality of life.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call the
Pulmonary Laboratory at .
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