RIDGWAY – Numerous local residents will soon be getting a breath
of fresh air thanks to a new pulmonary rehabilitation program
coming to Elk Regional Health Center, starting July 11.

Officials said the much-needed program – which began as a
community service – will help those suffering from a variety of
lung problems and is the only one north of Interstate 80 in the
state.

Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and
who have a lung volume of less than 65 percent are eligible to
participate. Other qualifications include: the person must be able
to walk 100 feet as well as being a non-smoker for at least three
months or be in an active smoking cessation program. To
participate, a person needs a referral from their physician. A
screening will be done to make sure the patient fits the
qualifications for the program.

“The program will help the patient get a better understanding of
their lung disease,” Ron Hendershot, program coordinator of
pulmonary rehabilitation, said, adding the goal is to give the
patient a better quality of life. “They will be given the tools to
use community resources that are available to them.

“After they graduate from the program, we will be working with
them to find some kind of support system for them,” Hendershot
said. “We don’t want them to revert to some of their old
habits.”

Officials said there will be a maintenance program, and a
support group will be started after the first couple groups
graduate.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and it is
rising. In 2002, it claimed 120,000 lives. COPD means a person’s
lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways
are partly obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out.
There is no cure for COPD. The damage to the airways and lungs
cannot be reversed, but there are things that can be done to help a
patient feel better and slow the damage.

The disease seems to affect women more than men, according to
Director of Imaging Joellyn Wilshire. Female smokers are 13 times
more likely to die than female non smokers. Other causes of COPD
include air pollutants, second hand smoke, hereditary factors and
occupational hazards.

The program will have 10 respiratory therapists and two LPN’s
and two EKG technicians on staff, according to Brian Simpson.

Both Simpson and Hendershot are registered respiratory
therapists and will be certified in asthma education.

“All the staff will be certified in Advanced Cardiac Life
Support (ACLS),” Simpson added.

Most major insurance companies will pay for the program. If a
person isn’t sure of their coverage, Elk Regional can find out the
information.

The program will run for 12 weeks, with participants meeting on
Tuesday and Thursday. There are also individualized exercise
programs for participants to follow at home as well as educational
sessions. Smoking cessation classes will begin shortly after the
program begins.

For more information on the program, contact Elk Regional.