What is the Community Lung Health East Program?
The Community Lung Health East program (formerly: Champlain Lung Health) is designed for people diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Services provided may include:
- Assessment
- Spirometry (breathing test)
- Education
- Development of an action plan
- Follow up care
- Exercise component (pulmonary rehabilitation) with an exercise specialist
Once registered with the program, you will be seen by a team of Certified Respiratory Educators (CRE), such as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and/or Registered Respiratory Therapist. The CRE will help you understand and manage your symptoms. One way of doing this is through a COPD Action Plan.
COPD Action plans help explain what to do if your symptoms get worse and may prevent emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
What topics will I learn about?
Topics may include:
- When to seek help
- COPD Action Plans
- Inhalers/puffers
- Smoking cessation
- Nutrition & physical activity
- Reducing anxiety & stress
- Advance care planning
What is COPD?
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD can be treated and managed over time.
The main symptom of COPD is shortness of breath with activity. The main cause of COPD is smoking but some non-smokers also get COPD.
What is Spirometry?
A simple breathing test that measures how well your lungs are working. It measures how much air you inhale, and how much/how quickly you exhale. Spirometry is the only way to diagnose COPD, and is used to monitor how well treatment is working and the progression of your lung disease.
What is Pulmonary Rehab?
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a supervised exercise program designed for people with COPD.
Participating in a PR program can decrease shortness of breath and improve your ability to function in daily life e.g. walking up stairs.
Three main components of PR program:
- Exercise
- Education
- Self-management
What can I expect at Pulmonary Rehab?
- You will meet with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation team to assess your symptoms and current fitness level.
- They will work with you to develop an exercise program to meet your goals.
- You will attend exercise classes 2-3 times each week for 8 weeks.
- Exercise classes are offered in a safe environment for people with COPD including people on home oxygen.
What is Maintenance Pulmonary Rehab?
Maintenance Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a supervised exercise program designed for COPD clients who have recently graduated (within the past year) from a recognized PR program, including programs at The Ottawa Hospital, Pembroke Regional Hospital and Montfort Hospital.
Where can I access a Pulmonary Rehab program?
Visit the list of services available to determine which programs offer pulmonary rehab.
What services does the NP provide?
The Nurse Practitioner (NP) provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for clients with lung health issues, and ongoing management for clients with COPD who have frequent exacerbations and/or emergency visits. Please note that only some locations offer NP services.
How can I access services?
Your healthcare provider can fill out and fax our referral form to 613-774-7235 (Toll-free: 1-833-384-9993) or send an Ocean eReferral.
Referrals are normally made by your health provider and include spirometry results showing you have COPD. However, if you do not have a health provider or wish to self-refer, please call 613-238-3722 (Toll-free: 1-833-338-3722).
For questions, call us at 613-238-3722 (Toll-free: 1-833-338-3722).
Where are services located?
Services are located throughout the Champlain area, more precisely in the counties of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Renfrew Counties, Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, as well as in Cornwall and Ottawa.
Please consult the map and list of service locations.