Facts about Lung Disease

• COPD is the 4th leading cause of death
• 35 million Americans are living with chronic lung disease
• COPD ranks second as a cause of disability
• COPD cost US - total $32.1 billion
  • $18 B direct cost
  • $6.8 B indirect morbidity cost
  • $7.3 B indirect mortality cost COPD is responsible for more than 10 million doctor’s visits per year and more than 2 million hospitalizations
• In 2001 there were 13.3 million people diagnosed with COPD
  •  about 3 million  - Emphysema
  • About 11 million – Chronic Bronchitis
•  On average only 10-15% of these eligible candidates receive Pulmonary Rehab

What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that can help you learn how to breathe easier and improve your quality of life. It has two parts:

• Exercise training to help you exercise safely, strengthen your muscles and get your energy back.
• Education and counseling to help you understand and mange your lung condition.

Who can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation?

You can benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation if you have:

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            • Asthma
            • emphysema
            • chronic bronchitis
            • Bronchiectasis
            • cystic fibrosis
            • a neuromuscular disease
            • lung cancer
            • a history of smoking
            • had lung surgery

What are the Enrollment Guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

• Patient must have chronic, but stable, pulmonary impairment that cannot improve by medical management
• PFT – FVC, FEV1, and /or DLCO < 60%
• Pulmonary disease symptoms – documents a significant impairment of function level
• Expectation of measurable improvement
• Patient must be physically able, motivated, & willing

What are the benefits?

Pulmonary rehabilitation can make a difference. It is a safe,  rewarding way to help you:

• decrease symptoms like being short of breath, coughing and wheezing
• breathe better
• get stronger
• decrease stress
• reduce the risks of future lung problems and related hospital admissions

What are the goals of pulmonary rehabilitation?

The goals are to help you  feel better and be more active. Your doctor or nurse clinician can help you meet these goals through:

• breathing exercises 
• conserving energy
• managing stress
• quitting smoking 
• controlling your weight
• taking medicines as needed
• doing aerobic exercise
• eating healthy

Who is on the pulmonary rehabilitation team?

Your pulmonary rehabilitation team is made up of many health care providers including:

• doctors
• respiratory therapists
• exercise physiologists
• nurses
• dietitians
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• social service providers
• pastoral care providers

How can the pulmonary rehabilitation team help?

Your pulmonary rehabilitation team can teach you how to manage your chronic lung problems and cope with it.  They will help you:

• learn about your lung condition
• learn what you can do to help your lungs
• follow your treatment plan
• know how to conserve energy so you can do the things you enjoy
• build confidence in what you can do
• ask the right questions
• know if you have any new problems

Did you know?

Your insurance carrier will most likely pay for some or all of the cost of your pulmonary rehabilitation.

What Pulmonary Diagnoses are Covered under Medicare Guidelines?

• Obstructive Disease
• COPD – Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema
• Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
• Asthma & asthmatic bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Bronchiolitis Obliterans
• Restrictive Disease
• Interstitial disease – fibrosis, occupational or environmental, Sarcoidosis

Is pulmonary rehabilitation right for you?  Will it help?

Yes!  Pulmonary rehabilitation can help you feel better and get back to what you enjoy.

Contact us at:
 MetroHealth Medical Center
 2500 MetroHealth Drive
 Cleveland, Ohio 44109
 216-778-2356