Pulmonary Medicine

Pulmonary care services at St. Joseph's Hospital and West Bend Clinic deal with the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs.

Pulmonologists evaluate patients with suspected lung disease by listening to the patient’s history, along with performing a complete evaluation to determine the best possible treatment for the individual. To find a pulmonologist click here.

For more information on pulmonary care services call 262-334-3451. If you have questions regarding your lung health consult your primary physician.  

Respiratory Care Services

Respiratory care services provide evaluation and treatment of many types of respiratory problems for inpatients and outpatients. Services include pulmonary function testing, mechanical ventilation management, bipap, smoking cessation and asthma education, pulmonary rehabilitation and various respiratory treatments. The respiratory therapy staff includes registered and certified respiratory therapists.

Spirometry

Spirometry is a standard pulmonary test to measure the amount of air inhaled or exhaled by the lung. It is used to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It indicates how large your lungs are, how elastic the lung tissue is, and how well your airways open and close.

Rehabilitation and Wellness Program

Our nationally certified pulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to help people who have been diagnosed with emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an exercise and education program to help improve your quality of life. Your oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored, while your exercise level is individualized to your needs.

Education and exercise are lead by registered nurses, a certified asthma educator, an exercise physiologist and a certified respiratory therapist. The staff also provides education and exercise, as prescribed by the physician, for people presently hospitalized with breathing problems.

Education includes breathing techniques to decrease shortness of breath, activity simplification, and tools to become successful at quitting tobacco. Exercise classes are held every Wednesday and Friday at various times throughout the day. Weekly education classes focus on lung disease, proper breathing techniques, exercise, healthy food choices, medications, smoking cessation and stress management.

Support Groups

A Smoking Cessation Discussion Group is held the first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at St. Joseph's Hospital, conference room A. To register for the discussion group, request an individual session, or for more information call 262-306-7007.

A Pulmonary Support Group with an emphasis on maintaining a positive attitude through learning and laughter while dealing with diseases of the lung is held the last Wednesday of March, June and September from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Hospital, lobby conference room. For more information, please call 262-306-7007.

For a complete listing of Support Groups click here.