Pulmonology

Keeping Your Respiratory System Healthy

Through St. Lawrence Health, we are here to care for all manner of lung diseases and sleep disorders close to home. Our expert providers offer personalized treatment plans for asthma, bronchitis, COPD, sleep apnea, and so much more, all within the St. Lawrence community. And, we provide our patients with inpatient and outpatient services like consultations, pulmonary function testing, and bronchoscopies. 

Find a Pulmonology Location

Pulmonology Conditions We Treat

Pulmonology is a medical specialty that focuses on the health of the respiratory system. Your respiratory system includes your airways, your lungs, and your respiratory muscles, which are the organs that help you to breathe. Our team of pulmonologists diagnose and treats a range of conditions including:

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchitis
• COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Emphysema
• Occupational lung disease (from inhaling dust, chemicals, or proteins)
• Sleep apnea

From general pulmonology care to specialized sleep and lung diseases, St. Lawrence Health is here to help. 

Inpatient Respiratory Services

Working closely with your managing physician, skilled, licensed therapists will assist in planning and implementing a personalized care plan. Respiratory therapists are in-house 24/7 and are available in all areas of the hospital.

Outpatient Respiratory Testing

We provide a wide range of diagnostic tests to help your physician with your care plan outside the hospital. 

• Aerosol Therapy MDI Instruction: Demonstration and evaluation of technique used for metered-dose inhalations; with spacer device if needed for the effective administration of medication

• Arterial Blood Gases: To accurately monitor patients with suspected hypoxia or elevated PCO2

• Bronchoprovocation: Inhalations of Methacholine or Aridol to evaluate airway hypersensitivity for a more definitive diagnosis of asthma

• Exercise Challenge Testing: Treadmill protocol to evaluate airway hypersensitivity for a more definitive diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma

• Flutter Valve Instruction: Demonstration and evaluation of technique used for patients needing assistance with airway mucus clearance

• Peak Flow Instruction: Demonstration and evaluation of technique using a peak flow meter to monitor asthma, cystic fibrosis and degenerative muscle disease symptoms, and airway obstruction

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Including spirometry with or without bronchodilators, FRC, and DLCO

• Pulse Oximetry: At rest, with ambulation, or continuous overnight monitoring

The tests listed above require a referral from your physician.

Outpatient Monitor or Therapy

Your provider may also request you take a small monitor home to wear at night so this measurement can be captured continuously while you sleep. If your physician orders this test, you will come to the hospital to pick up the monitor and be instructed on its use. When you return the monitor the following day, the staff will generate a report from the monitor and send it to your physician.

Your provider may also schedule you to receive instructions on therapies you will do at home like the Flutter Valve or MDI, as well as for instructions for how to perform a home test called the Peak Flow.