The pulmonary rehabilitation program is a breath of fresh air

“My main goal in rehab is to be able to walk my dog ​​Cassie with my husband again,” says Betty. “I also want to be able to go clothes shopping with my daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.”

“I smoked for more than 50 years,” says Betty. “Then, five years ago, I started suffering from shortness of breath, fatigue and lots of mucus. Then I went to my primary care doctor, Arthur Pacia, MD, who diagnosed me with COPD.”

Since her diagnosis, Betty has relied on supplemental oxygen, which has been shown to improve survival in patients with COPD. And although the oxygen helped, Betty still suffered from shortness of breath and fatigue, which severely affected her quality of life. Thanks Dr. Pacia, a pulmonary disease provider at RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group, Betty learned there was help nearby.

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, launched a new pulmonary rehabilitation program (pulmonary rehab) in September 2024. Pulmonary rehabilitation, a supervised medical program, can help relieve symptoms, perform daily activities more easily, and improve the quality of life for people with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and even long-term Covid. The program is tailored to a patient's specific needs and is based on a thorough assessment that includes medical history, symptoms and current treatments.

“My main goal in rehab is to be able to walk my dog ​​Cassie with my husband again,” says Betty. “I also want to be able to go clothes shopping with my daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.”

Betty began her pulmonary rehabilitation and noticed improvements after just a few sessions. She works with her respiratory therapists David Rubino, BSRT, RRT, CPFT and Nicholas Gervasi, MBA, RRT, CPFT, AARC/AACVPR, twice a week in sessions that include education, learning new breathing techniques, and following a personalized exercise plan Strength and aerobic training using equipment such as a treadmill and light weights.

“The worst thing was my fatigue. Now I feel like I have more energy, but I also feel like my mood has improved,” shares Betty. “I really feel better and can do more at home.”

According to Dr. Pacia, patients with respiratory diseases can improve their quality of life through pulmonary rehabilitation. “Mrs. Wade is a highly motivated patient who requested pulmonary rehabilitation to improve her physical endurance and minimize her shortness of breath,” says Dr. Pacia. “After a few weeks of training, her shortness of breath improved significantly and she was able to perform more routine activities without any problems She expressed to me that the pulmonary rehabilitation has significantly improved her quality of life. Additionally, it is very convenient to make an appointment at RWJUH Hamilton, where a very personal service is offered. Her experience was a complete healing process.

Candidates for the pulmonary rehabilitation program include patients recovering from an acute episode, people with lung disease who need conditioning to prepare for surgery, and anyone whose activities are limited by chronic lung disease and shortness of breath. “We are pleased to offer this pulmonary rehabilitation option to help people with chronic lung diseases such as COPD improve their quality of life, manage symptoms and breathe better,” says Ang Low, RRT, AARC/AACVPR, respiratory care manager at RWJUH Hamilton.

“I highly recommend this program,” says Betty. “The staff is wonderful and patient and answers all of my questions. I look forward to my appointments and find them all a joy!”

At RWJUH Hamilton, each patient's pulmonary rehabilitation program begins with a comprehensive pulmonary evaluation by a board-certified respiratory therapist trained in pulmonary rehabilitation. Through a carefully planned and individualized program of supervised physical conditioning, exercise, and educational and nutritional counseling, physical performance is increased and the patient is enabled to overcome shortness of breath. Respiratory therapists work with each patient twice a week throughout the duration of the program. In addition to exercise and education, each visit includes monitoring of oxygen levels, blood pressure, respiratory and heart rates, and lung assessment. Each patient's progress is constantly closely monitored and recorded so that it can be communicated to the referring doctor.

For more information, please call our pulmonary rehabilitation specialists at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton at 609-689-7086. We would be happy to answer your questions.

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