Legacy Emanuel opens a program to help cardiac and pulmonary patients on their road to recovery
“It’s January, the time when many people make resolutions for better health,” says Lynda Meyers, R.N., CCRN, charge nurse for the new Legacy Emanuel Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program. “What a perfect reason for heart and vascular patients to participate in this program.”
Legacy Emanuel Medical Center recently opened a brand new 4,200-square-foot gym and educational space to house the program. Now all six Legacy Health medical centers have these programs.
“We are excited to open the program on this campus,” says Linda Stanford, P.T., manager of Legacy Emanuel’s Rehabilitation Program. “We are conveniently located for patients who live in the core Portland area.”
The fully-monitored, Medicare-approved exercise program helps patients function better in the face of cardiac and pulmonary issues like heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, cardiac surgeries and cardiac interventions. “Their heart and lung function will be monitored by a team of medical professionals who are there to help patients progress slowly and safely,” says Meyers. “Our goal is to increase their activity tolerance and reduce future doctor visits, hospitalizations or even medications.”
Legacy’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program has three phases and follows the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation guidelines and protocols. The first phase begins while the patient is hospitalized. Phase II is outpatient and consists of 36 sessions (three times a week for 12 weeks). Patients just need a referral from their physician to get started. Phase III is optional and allows patients to continue their fitness and education under medical supervision
The program includes the gym and weekly educational programs taught by doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists and exercise physiologists on a range of topics that include healthy eating, sexuality, smoking cessation, depression and managing diabetes. “Our patients understand each other and provide support to one another since they share similar health issues,” says Meyers.
“Whether patients have struggled with heart or lung disease, this program is about patients engaging in their own health in a support-rich environment," says Meyers. "We are here to help them reach their full potential and return to work and the leisure activities they once enjoyed.”
Legacy Emanuel Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, 501 N. Graham Street, Suite 100. 503-413-4353 or website http://bit.ly/2kprUHM
Photos: Vicki Guinn
Caption: Willie Marion is surrounded by Registered Dietician Laura Schaffer (left) and Courtney Reep (right) exercise physiologist. Marion is a phase III cardiac rehab patient for the last seven years. He pleased he can now come to Legacy Emanuel's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Gym which is close to his NE Portland home.
Caption: Gordon Lessing, a young 90-year-old, was Legacy Emanuel's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Gym's first patient.
For media inquiries: Vicki Guinn, 503-413-2939 or vguinn@lhs.org
Story contributor: Lynda Meyers, RN, CCRN, Legacy Emanuel Cardiac and Pulmonary charge nurse.