Pulmonary and Respiratory Services

Our Pulmonary and Respiratory Services team brings together each patient’s primary care provider and our lung experts to guide the patient through their journey from beginning to end. Whatever pulmonary or respiratory condition a patient is facing, our experienced lung care team is here for them.

Conditions We Treat

Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Cystic fibrosis (CF)
Emphysema
Interstitial lung disease
Lung cancer
Occupational lung diseases, such as “black lung”
Pneumonia
Pulmonary hypertension
Tuberculosis

Services We Offer

Breathing treatments
Bronchoscopy
Imaging services
Medication management for lung disease
Sleep study
- Zephyr valve procedure

Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Most often, lung cancer has no symptoms until it has progressed beyond the stage where curative treatment is an option. Therefore, lung cancer screening for early detection is vital to save lives.

The only test proven to lower the risk of dying from lung cancer is a low-dose CT scan. This is like a conventional CT scan without contrast but uses less radiation and only takes a few minutes. This procedure is covered as a yearly wellness screening by most insurance, including Medicare, for those who meet all of the following criteria:

Aged 50 through 77
Current smoker or one who has quit smoking within the last 15 years
Tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (smoked one pack per day for 20 years or 2 packs per day for 10 years)

If you meet these qualifications, you are considered high risk for lung cancer and should talk to your primary care provider to discuss if this testing is right for you.

Lung Health Care Navigator

As a free service, Marietta Memorial Hospital provides a Lung Health Care Navigator. The Navigator is available to answer questions and provide education and support as you go through the Lung Cancer Screening Process. Contact Tiffany English, Lung Health Care Navigator, at (740) 376-1979 for more information.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Our respiratory therapists work one-on-one with our patients to reduce and manage complications caused by respiratory problems. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program that provides patients and their families with support, education, and the physical conditioning necessary to increase the patient’s quality of life. Patients attend approximately 36 sessions. The program involves:

Education
Exercise training
Maintenance exercise program
Nutritional assessment
Psychosocial assessment
Self-care/home management

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help our patients with chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema, reduce the time spent in an emergency room or hospital, as well as improve their stamina, independence, and quality of life. Together, we develop and maintain an individualized care plan based on each patient’s specific needs.

To participate in Pulmonary Rehab, a provider referral is required, and a patient must have a qualifying pulmonary diagnosis. Those interested may also be required to undergo a breathing test (pulmonary function test or PFT) before starting our program.

For more information, please call (740) 376-5577.

Post COVID-19 Care Clinic

Memorial Health System has created a multidisciplinary team within the pulmonary department at Marietta Memorial Hospital to screen, assess, treat, and provide referrals and resources for patients recovering from COVID-19. This care clinic is for individuals who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection, but continue to have difficulties in physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning at least four weeks after the initial infection.

To be seen, the patient needs to provide proof of a positive PCR, antigen, or antibody test (prior to vaccination).

Symptoms Leading to Referrals

Abdominal pain
“Brain fog” or cognitive impairment
Dyspnea, cough, or increased respiratory effort
Fatigue
Headache or lightheadedness
Impaired daily function and mobility
Insomnia and other sleep difficulties
Mood changes
Pain
Palpitations/tachycardia
Post-exertional malaise and/or poor endurance

Assessment Process

The initial visit to the Post COVID-19 Care Clinic is a 30-minute face-to-face visit in the pulmonary department at Marietta Memorial Hospital. At this visit we evaluate the patient to determine treatment plans. The pulmonary department then coordinates care with specialists as needed.

After the initial visit, all additional visits will be virtual meetings conducted through telehealth.

Multidisciplinary Team

Cardiology
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Psychiatry/Psychology
Pulmonary
Neurology
Primary Care
Social Services

Why Choose Us

Compassionate Patient-Centered Care

We focus on providing patient- and family-centered care. Our lung care team is committed to providing the latest effective treatment options for each patient we see. We involve patients and families at each step of the care process, and always keep them informed of what’s happening with their health care plan.

Coordinated Care with Specialty Providers

When needed, our lung care team can coordinate care with other specialty providers across the Memorial Health System network. We work to streamline each patient’s care so they can focus on getting well, instead of spending lots of time coordinating medical appointments and specialists.