Program Details
Eligibility
Physician referral required for all diagnostic testing and education programs.
Preparation / What to Bring
- Do not use inhalers 12 hours prior to testing
- Avoid smoking or vaping 1 hour before the test
- Bring your health card and medication list
- Instructions will be mailed with your appointment time
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, consult your Primary Care Provider about a possible breathing assessment:
- Increased cough
- Shortness of breath beyond your normal
- Wheezing or chest tightness
- Frequent chest infections or persistent colds
- History of smoking
You can also use the Canadian Lung Health Test as a guide. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, speak to your doctor:
- Do you cough regularly?
- Do you cough up phlegm regularly?
- Do even simple chores make you short of breath?
- Do you wheeze when you exert yourself?
- Do your colds last longer than other people’s?
Understanding & Managing C.O.P.D.
C.O.P.D. (or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a condition where there are limitations to airflow in the lungs, which leaves an individual feeling breathless. C.O.P.D. is a general term for conditions like Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis. C.O.P.D. often includes a chronic cough and excessive phlegm production. The individual can experience frequent lung attacks and infections that can progress the condition.
Management of C.O.P.D. is important to maintain and improve the quality of life. As a participant in the Cardio-Respiratory Rehabilitation Program, our Respiratory Therapist will help you understand the disease, ensure you have the optimal medication and show you effective methods to cope within the realm of your disease with the goal to prevent your C.O.P.D. from getting worse.
If you would like to learn more about how to manage your C.O.P.D., please ask your Primary Care Provider to refer you to our program or call 613-354-3301 ext. 409 to learn more about programs available to you.
Our Respiratory Therapist can also help you if you have other lung conditions, such as Asthma and Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Inpatient Programs
The Respiratory Therapy department offers smoking interventions for all inpatients to help manage cravings for nicotine while in the hospital. With our help, patients can be comfortable and remain smoke-free while in the hospital to comply with smoke-free and vape-free property policies at the hospital.
Another inpatient program we offer is the BREATHE Program. Patients with C.O.P.D. can struggle with maintaining a healthy balance in their breathing. With the help of our RRT, C.O.P.D. patients will learn how to manage their C.O.P.D. through the development of an action plan, inhaler education, breathing exercises and a community outreach program which has been designed to provide close follow-up after discharge from the hospital. This ensures continuous improvement of breathing using telemedicine.
Most patients in the BREATHE Program also take advantage of the Hospital’s Cardio-Respiratory Rehabilitation Program and emotional support available through Hospice L&A.
Our vision with these programs is to optimize the patient in their home environment.
Where to Go
Enter through the Main Entrance and check in at a registration kiosk.
