Pulmonary Function Laboratory Ambulatory Care Center 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Call ScheduleFirst for scheduling – 443-843-7000 Dr. Birnbaum, M.D. and the Upper Chesapeake Health Pulmonary Rehabilitation Team

What is Pulmonary Medicine?

Something as natural as breathing does not come easy for everyone. Respiratory illness can rob an individual’s ability to take a simple breath.  At the Upper Chesapeake Center of Pulmonary Excellence, we focus on positive outcomes for individuals living with lung disease.

By bringing together health experts, technology and specialty services in one location, we find solutions that offer patients hope, support and a better quality of life.

Our multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, oncology specialists, respiratory therapists, nurses and exercise physiologists provide a coordinated and personalized plan of care. Treating the whole patient, they collaborate with healthcare professionals in Upper Chesapeake Health’s other medical and surgical services, including the Anticoagulation Management Service, Heart and Vascular Institute, Diabetes and Endocrine Center Oncology Services, Infusion Center and Sleep Disorder Center.

Our comprehensive and expansive Pulmonary Center of Excellence is home to physician experts in:

• General Pulmonary Medicine
• Diagnostic bronchoscopy including advanced endobronchial ultrasound
• Exercise physiology
• Sleep Disorders
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Thoracic Oncology
• Pre-op Evaluation and Follow-up Care for Lung Transplantation
  

The diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services offered by the Center benefit individuals living with respiratory illnesses, including but not limited to:

• Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis
• Bronchiectasis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Occupational lung diseases (asbestosis, Silicosis, Foundry Worker’s Lung, Farmer’s Lung).
• Allergy induced lung diseases
• Medication related lung toxicity
• Sarcoidosis and other “autoimmune” diseases
• Cancers of the lung
• Sleep Disorders
• Infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis
• Neuromuscular disease-associated breathing disorders

The Upper Chesapeake Pulmonary Center of Excellence offers the diagnostics testing and treatment options close to home at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center and Harford Memorial Hospital. These services include:

• Standard Bronchoscopy
• Endobronchial Ultrasound
• Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
• Cardiopulmonary Stress Testing
• Right Heart Catheterization
• Accredited Pulmonary Function Lab
• Accredited Sleep Disorder Center

For a referral to a pulmonologist, contact HealthLink at 800-515-0044 or click here for our directory of physicians.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Ambulatory Care Center
520 Upper Chesapeake Drive
Bel Air, Maryland 21014
443-643-3764

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is designed to alleviate symptoms and optimize daily function from chronic lung disease. The program is offered in an outpatient setting in our fitness gym located in the Ambulatory Care Center in Bel Air, Maryland. Supervised by physicians specializing in pulmonary medicine, the services are provided by respiratory therapists and exercise physiologists.

Classes are held two days a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) in the ACC Rehabilitation gym on the garden level of the Ambulatory Care Center. A physician referral and pre-screening for the exercise program are required. The 10-week program teaches individuals about how their lungs work, how to exercise and do activities with less shortness of breath, and how to "live" better with their lung condition.

This low-cost program benefits individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There are three components to the Upper Chesapeake Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program:

1. Exercise Training

An individualized program will be developed for your specific needs and abilities designed to:

• Increase your strength and endurance
  
• Decrease your shortness of breath and fatigue
  
• Increase your confidence and coping ability
  

2. Education

The multidisciplinary team of pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, exercise physiologists and dieticians will provide you with the information and tools you need to manage your pulmonary disease. We teach you:

• Breathing techniques
  
• Medication administration
  
• Stress management and relaxation techniques
  
• Activities of daily living and energy conservation
  
• Prevention of respiratory infections
  
• Nutrition
  
• Oxygen and airway clearance techniques
  
• Anatomy of the lungs and disease process
  

3. Support

Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation team will work with you and your family to help you understand and cope with the challenges you face. Attending exercise and education classes each week offers an opportunity to interact with others dealing with similar issues and provides a community of support and socialization.

Patients are accepted on a continuous basis. For more information about the program,
please call 443-643-3764.

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