Comprehensive Care for Respiratory Disorders

Services Provided by Pulmonary Critical Care Specialists

At University Hospitals our team of board-certified pulmonary/critical care physicians work alongside other specialists to provide comprehensive respiratory services in a variety of settings.

In the emergency department, the main role of the pulmonary/critical care physician is to resuscitate and/or stabilize patients with life-threating pulmonary conditions affecting their ability to breathe, including the initiation of ventilator support. For patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), our specialists provide ongoing monitoring and treatment for any breathing issues that exist or may arise during hospitalization.

In the office setting, our pulmonary experts diagnose and manage a wide range of acute and chronic pulmonary diseases and disorders.

Pulmonary Conditions Diagnosed and Treated

Our pulmonary/critical care providers use advanced techniques to diagnose and treat a full spectrum of lung conditions, including:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Emphysema
• Lung infections (including tuberculosis and histoplasmosis)
• Lung Nodules
• Interstitial lung disease
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary emboli (blood clots)
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• Respiratory failure
• Sleep Disorders

In addition, we provide comprehensive care for lung transplant and lung cancer patients, and individuals with pulmonary vascular disease.

Diagnostic Tests and Other Pulmonary Services

Often working in collaboration with respiratory therapists and other providers, our pulmonary/critical care specialists may recommend and provide the following tests and services for both hospitalized patients and those being treated on an outpatient basis:

• Supplemental oxygen therapy
• Inhaled medication therapies including bronchodilators, antifungal medications and antibiotics
• Bronchoscopy
• Lung expansion therapies such as incentive spirometry and CPAP
• Ventilator initiation and monitoring (inpatient only)
• Pulmonary function testing (PFT)
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Smoking cessation education and programs