Pulmonary & Respiratory Care
Pulmonary medicine is the specialty of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and management of disorders of the respiratory system. Sturdy Health respiratory care services within Sturdy Memorial Hospital, including Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), and Sleep Medicine with our Sleep Lab. We also provide Pulmonary Rehabilitation in our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services with an outpatient program that utilizes our Cardiopulmonary Exercise Facility at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
Respiratory Care
Respiratory care is an allied health specialty with medical direction in the treatment, management, control, evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities with the cardiopulmonary system. This department is responsible for airway management throughout the hospital. Our respiratory care team administers a variety of treatment modalities including ventilator management, and perform diagnostic studies and are responsible for checking patients' oxygen.
A wide variety of inpatient and outpatient services are available, including pulmonary function testing (PFT), sleep studies and pulmonary rehabilitation.
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Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT):
A PFT measures how well lungs take in and exhale air and how well your lungs are working. This testing method is non-invasive and can help our providers diagnose and determine your treatment plan. Abnormal results can mean that chest disease or certain lung disorders may be present. To schedule at PFT, call (508) 236-7550.
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
To schedule a Pulmonary Function Test with our Respiratory Care team at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, please call Respiratory Services at (508) 236-7550.
Our Sleep Lab within Sturdy Memorial Hospital offers full sleep studies (polysomnographic evaluations), education, and treatment services to those with sleep trouble. To schedule a sleep study, call (508) 236-7550. Learn more about our sleep lab and sleep apnea here.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation - BreatheFITT Program
Sturdy Health also provides an outpatient exercise rehabilitation program, BreatheFITT, which combines education and exercise to help those diagnosed with lung disease return to their highest level of functioning. Learn more here
Quitting Smoking
There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking. Namely, your health and your family. When you decide to quit, your body will thank you. According to the American Lung Association:
- In 20 minutes of quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- In 12 hours of quitting, the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood stream drops to a normal level.
- In the next 2 to 3 weeks, your circulation and lung function improve, and your risk of heart attack begins to drop.
- Over the course of the next 9 months, you will cough less and breathe better.
- In 1 year of quitting, your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.
- In 2-5 years of quitting, your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are cut in half. Your risk of stroke is equal to that of a nonsmoker.
- In 10 year of quitting, you are half as likely to die from lung cancer. Your risk of kidney and pancreatic cancer decreases.
- In 15 years of deciding to quit smoking, you risk of heart disease is the same as that of a non-smoker.
