Pulmonology | St. Lawrence Health System

Pulmonology is a specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the health of the respiratory system. The respiratory system includes the airway, the lungs, and the respiratory muscles, which are the organs that help you breathe.

Our team of pulmonologists diagnose and treat a range of conditions including:

Asthma
Bronchiectasis
Bronchitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Emphysema
Occupational lung diseases (from inhalation of dust, chemicals, or proteins)
Sleep Apnea

Inpatient Respiratory Services

Working in close conjunction 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 assist your physician with your care plan outside the hospital. These services require a referral from your physician.

Aerosol Therapy MDI Instruction: Demonstration and evaluation of technique used for metered dose inhalations; with spacer device if needed for 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 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

Outpatient Monitor or Therapy

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