Physicians Regional Healthcare System is here to help you BREATHE EASY

Physicians Regional Healthcare System recently expanded its services to include Pulmonary Rehabilitation at its Pine Ridge and Collier Blvd. locations. Under the direction of pulmonologist and medical director, Sadiq Al-Nakeeb, M.D., the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides a personalized treatment plan that provides diagnostic testing, therapeutic exercises, medications, and educational training. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program works in conjunction with medical therapy, and doesn’t just help the patient manage the symptoms of chronic pulmonary disease, but it also promotes recovery. “Chores that formerly seemed impossible to accomplish become doable under the program. Smokers who have been unable to stop learn new and innovative ways to quit the habit,” says Dr. Al-Nakeeb. “Participation in the program increases strength and endurance, and reduces shortness of breath for many of our patients. Our goal is to help patients improve their quality of life and be more active.”

Typically patients are seen eight times per month, or twice per week, for a total of three months. Rehabilitation treatment can sometimes be longer depending on the individual needs of the patient. “Each patient who is affected by pulmonary issues has different needs when it comes to treatment and recovery time,” explains Dr. Al-Nakeeb. “The collaboration that occurs between the patient and our pulmonary team results in successful outcomes and overall quality care.” To make sure there are no health issues that limit the patient’s ability to join the program, a thorough assessment is performed, and the amount of patient numbers are limited to provide close supervision by the pulmonary team.

The need for pulmonary rehabilitation is increasing as the prevalence of COPD (Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease) rises. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, was the third leading cause of death in the United States in 2014. * Pulmonary rehabilitation is beneficial for other lung conditions such as pulmonary hypertension and intestinal lung disease. Consequences of lung disease can include muscle dysfunction, nutritional abnormalities, cardiac impairment, skeletal disease, sensory deficits, psychosocial dysfunction, diaphragmatic fatigue and frequent hospitalizations. The patient’s primary physician is continually updated on his or her progress and the program is routinely covered by Medicare and most other private insurance plans.

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation patients at the Pine Ridge campus are guided and instructed by Jenna Hilliard, RRT and supervised by Pulmonary Services Director, Thomas Campo, RRT-NPS, both of whom are Licensed Respiratory Therapists. “Patients that have been enrolled and receive regular sessions are thrilled by the increase in their ability to lead a more normal life,” explains Campo.  “They are losing weight, have quicker recovery time from taxing activities, and feel they have better control over their disease processes.”

Director of Pulmonary, Eva Fish, RRT-NPS. She felt it was a natural choice to expand the program to Collier Blvd. to serve patients on the southeast part of Naples and Marco Island.

Both locations are adequately equipped with exercise equipment designed to increase strength and function in the lungs and heart. Lower body, upper body and breathing exercises are combined with behavioral and mental aspects of rehabilitation to provide a comprehensive approach to healing.

Physicians Regional Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the Pine Ridge campus, and Wednesday and Friday at Collier Blvd. For more information, please contact Thomas Campo @ 239-348-4255 (Pine Ridge) or Eva Fish @ 239-354-6071 (Collier Blvd.).
* https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html

Al-Nakeeb, Sadiq, M.D.
To schedule your appointment,
please call 239-348-4255