Some illnesses make breathing more difficult. Your loved one may need a ventilator or respiratory therapy to help him or her breathe easier. For many, each breath is an effort, often causing anxiety, which results in further shortness of breath, increased heart rate, muscle tension and even feelings of panic. This can negatively impact all aspects of life.

Our goal is to help your loved one regain independence by breathing without assistive devices. 

We specialize in pulmonary treatment, so you can feel confident when your loved one is under our care. We focus on pulmonary disease management and providing quality treatment based on the latest protocols.

Our Pulmonary Care

Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

When you cannot breathe on your own, it becomes necessary to be placed on mechanical ventilation. The amount of time on a ventilator varies by person. We look at each person individually to determine specific care needs with the goal of helping with recovery as fully as possible.

Non-Ventilated Pulmonary Care

For many, breathing independently is possible but some assistance is beneficial; for example, those with underlying lung disease. In this case, a key treatment we may be able to offer you is respiratory therapy. Our respiratory therapists are members of the clinical team who specializes in helping you with all your pulmonary needs, including:

• Supplemental oxygen delivery and monitoring
• Aerosolized medications for COPD, asthma, and other respiratory diseases
• Airway care and pulmonary secretion management
• Set up, use, and monitoring of CPAP/BiPAP machines in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions
• Education to our patients and families covering the ongoing care and coping strategies for chronic pulmonary conditions

Common Conditions

Obstructive Diseases

• COPD (including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
• Persistent asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Cystic fibrosis
• Bronchiolitis obliterans
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

Restrictive Diseases

• Interstitial diseases
• Interstitial fibrosis
• Occupational or environmental lung disease
• Sarcoidosis

Chest Wall Diseases

• Kyphoscoliosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Neuromuscular Disease

• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-polio syndrome
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Diaphragmatic dysfunction
• Multiple sclerosis
• Post-tuberculosis syndrome

Other Conditions

• Primary pulmonary hypertension
• Pre- and post-thoracic and abdominal surgery
• Pre- and post-lung transplantation rehabilitation
• Pre- and post-lung volume reduction surgery
• Obesity-related respiratory disease

The coordinated care team addresses mobilization and rehabilitation; pulmonary hygiene and suctioning; nutrition and medication; and family education and participation.

Your Team

Your team at OSF Divine Mercy Continuing Care Hospital may include:

• Pulmonologists
• Nurses
• Therapists (physical, occupational, respiratory and speech language)
• Wound care specialists
• Nutritionists
• Social workers
• Case managers and other staff members