Holy Cross Health is proud to promote a comprehensive approach to Pulmonary Disease Management.
With the recent addition of an Interventional Pulmonary Specialty practice we now have a full complement of Pulmonary Disease management. Our Holy Cross Medical Group practice consists of six Board certified pulmonary physicians with specialties in Intensive Care/Critical Care medicine, Sleep Disordered Breathing, Pulmonary Hypertension, COPD treatment and management and Lung Cancer.
"Our aim is to reach the community we serve and offer the help that our patients are so desperate for," said Andrea Scott, RRT, Respiratory Manager.
Recent additions to our pulmonary team include COPD Navigators. Specially trained Respiratory Therapists work full time to connect with our COPD patients to help direct their care. COPD Navigators work side by side with physicians to fine tune care plans and customize therapies to each patient's needs. They assist patients in coordinating their medications and devices for home as well as help set up future appointments for follow up. Navigators are available to patients during their hospital stay as well as after discharge.
Our COPD Clinic offers opportunity for patients to be seen immediately post discharge to avoid delay in care. Our Navigators see patients in the clinic alongside a board-certified physician. The continuity of care from the hospital to the clinic and then with phone calls after discharge provide comfort to our patients knowing that the same people who connected with them in the hospital will be calling them after discharge to follow up.
The efforts have produced results. The overwhelming positive feedback received, along with the fact that patients are not being readmitted with COPD speaks volumes with regards to the efforts.
"We find that just a simple connection to meet people where they're at is more than many places are able to provide. People just want to be heard and feel that someone cares about their needs," said Helen Visco, RRT, COPD Navigator.
The new approach to Pulmonary Disease Management with focus on coordinating the healthcare team is promoting better outcomes for our patients and improved healthcare for our community.
Find additional resources at https://www.holy-cross.com/find-a-service-or-specialty/pulmonary-care/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd