Experience the Blessing of Pulmonary Rehab
Almost anyone with lung problems can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. Our program is located at the Rehabilitation Services Building, located on the Conway Medical Center campus across from the Emergency Department entrance. The program includes both exercise and education geared towards improving the symptoms of respiratory disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary Rehab is a safe and effective way to help you feel better faster, become stronger, reduce stress, and improve your overall quality of life.
Your Pulmonary Rehab Team
Our team of nurses, respiratory therapists and pulmonologists will be working closely with you. However, the most important member of your rehabilitation team is you. Participants are encouraged to assume the major responsibility for their health. None of the professionals can make you exercise, stop smoking, or eat a healthier diet. You play an important role in making your rehabilitation a success.
What will I do in Pulmonary Rehab?
To be an active team member, you need to do the following:
- Learn about your condition.
- Learn what you can do to help your health.
- Follow the treatment plan.
- Ask questions.
- Report any symptoms or problems.
Our Program
The Pulmonary Rehab program combines exercises with education to help you improve your lung function and breathe more easily. Your individualized program is built around you and your condition to optimize the chances for improvement of your symptoms.
There are two phases of the program:
Phase 1 is a closely monitored exercise program, with blood pressure checks, heart rate, pulse ox, perceived exertion, and rating shortness of breath on each exercise. Educational sessions are also included. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am until 3:00pm during 1 1/2 hour sessions with breaks in between. We will be providing regular reports to your referring physician. Medicare will currently pay for 36 lifetime sessions.
Phase 2 will be for those patients who have completed the insurance covered sessions but want to continue exercise under supervision of staff with the resources available in the program. This is a self-pay program unlimited in time per session and duration in program. We hope that our phase 2 patients will stay with us in phase 3 if they need added support to continue their exercise.
How do I get started?
A physician’s order is required to schedule an appointment with CMC Pulmonary Rehabilitation. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can locate one above.
When you meet with your primary care provider, you can request a referral to CMC Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Your primary care provider can fax the physician’s order to 843-347-1536.
The following forms have been provided for your convenience to download and get completed by your physician.
Pulmonary Rehab Program Physician Referral Form – for patients who have not been in our program before. Please download, complete and forward/fax it to our office.
Pulmonary Re-Referral Form – for patients who have been in our program and then are hospitalized (or having tests) for a cardiac-related/pulmonary-related problems. Before allowing them to come back to exercise, we require the physician to fill out a re-referral form. Please download, complete and forward/fax to our office.
Freedom From Smoking Classes
CMC wants to help you quit smoking and gain better health. In addition to our pulmonary rehabilitation services, we offer Freedom from Smoking classes at schedule times throughout the year. The Freedom From Smoking program is an 8 session program developed by the American Lung Association. The program will guide you through 4 sessions preparing you to quit followed by 4 sessions to provide you with support and assistance with staying free from smoking. The cost for the series is $50 due the first session of class. Although the first steps can be hard, finding your path to a smoke free life is easier with the right help. The Freedom From Smoking program at CMC is a proven way to quit smoking—and stay quit—even if you’ve tried before and went back to smoking.
For more information, please call 843-234-7401 and view upcoming Freedom from Smoking classes.