Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Take charge of your lung health. Explore Burke Rehabilitation’s pulmonary program, which offers exercise and education to help you live a healthier life after a diagnosis of lung disease or surgery.
Who Needs Lung Rehabilitation?
Burke can help people ages 16 through the lifespan, and younger on a case-by-case basis, who experience:
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- COVID-19 complications, such as shortness of breath
- Emphysema
- Lung surgery
- Lung transplant
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Sarcoidosis
- Pneumonia
Benefits of Lung Rehabilitation
After completing rehabilitation, you may:
- Have more energy and less fatigue
- Do your daily activities more easily
- Feel that you breathe easier
- Feel less anxiety about breathlessness
- Reduce your risk of future lung problems
Inpatient & Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Your doctor will recommend the right level of rehabilitation for your needs:
- Inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation – You stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and receive rehabilitation care:
- Up to three hours of therapy each weekday and up to two hours of therapy over the weekend in a combination of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy as needed.
- Use of advanced technologies to improve strength and functional abilities
- Nurses and doctors care for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation – You stay at home and visit us for therapy.
Inpatient Care
Admission to Inpatient Rehab
Your doctor, social worker or another professional may refer you to Burke Rehabilitation Hospital for inpatient lung care after surgery or following the worsening of a lung condition. We’ll review your medical records and insurance coverage to confirm our program is right for your needs. Your condition should be stable (not worsening), and you should be able to take part in three hours of therapy each weekday, spread over morning and afternoon.
If you have questions, call the screening department at (914) 597-2519 or email us. See a list of insurance plans we participate with and talk to your insurance provider about your care coverage.
Learn what you can expect at Burke Rehabilitation—from the time you arrive to when you go home:
Pulmonary Team
Your Burke Rehabilitation Hospital care team puts you at the center of goal setting and treatment. The pulmonary care team members work closely together to address all of your needs. The pulmonary care team meets weekly to discuss how you’re doing and adjust your personalized care plan so you make steady progress. Team members may include:
- Doctor specializing in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
- Other specialty doctors as needed
- Nurse practitioner
- Neuropsychologist
- Nurses
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
- Recreational therapist
- Respiratory therapist
- Social worker
- Speech-language pathologist
Because you’ll see many types of professionals, you’ll get well-rounded care that addresses all your needs.
Inpatient Support Services
From the moment you’re admitted to the hospital, we’ll make sure you have access to all the health services you need, such as:
- Lab tests
- Respiratory department
- Nutrition services
- Pharmacy services
- Radiology
- Spiritual care
- Wound care
- Family and caregiver support
For additional information about the program, please refer to the program description [pdf].
Inpatient Education
You’ll receive one-on-one education from all members of your pulmonary team to learn how to take care of yourself and where to turn for support. Your family plays a key role in recovery, and we’ll involve them whenever possible. This includes inviting your family to come into the hospital for hands-on training with specific members of your pulmonary team, in order to prepare for a safe discharge.
Outcomes
View our outcomes report for information about our cardiopulmonary program.
Leaving the Hospital
Discharge planning starts early in your stay at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. A social worker or case manager will talk with you, your family and the rehabilitation team to recommend next steps after leaving the hospital. Options may include:
- Go home and receive in-home therapy
- Start outpatient rehabilitation
- Transition to another facility for continuing care
Your best option depends on your home environment, level of support, and your current health and abilities. Most patients go home after discharge.
Outpatient Pulmonary Rehab
Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation provides hour-long small group sessions that include:
- Warm-up
- Endurance activity using exercise equipment, such as recumbent bikes
- Cool down
- Education from therapists, nurses, doctors, dietitians and other professionals to improve quality of life
You’ll learn exercises to do between sessions to maintain your progress. Let us know if you’d like to invite a loved one to learn how to help you do them at home. Family members play an important role in recovery.
How to Enroll in Outpatient Rehab
Ask your doctor to fax the results of a recent pulmonary function test or spirometry and a prescription for pulmonary therapy to (914) 597-2763. After receiving them, we’ll schedule an evaluation with a trained physical therapist and the pulmonary program's medical director. Finally, we’ll call you to enroll in one of our classes that meet twice a week.
Where to Go for Outpatient Rehab
Pulmonary rehabilitation evaluations take place in Building 8 on Burke’s main campus at 785 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. Follow-up group therapy is in Building 4, second floor on Burke’s main campus.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans cover pulmonary rehabilitation. Medicare typically pays for 36 visits and may cover up to 72 sessions with a physician’s supporting letter. Burke participates with many insurance plans.
After Outpatient Rehabilitation
As you achieve your rehabilitation goals, we’ll help determine next steps. They may include self-guided workouts at our Fitness & Wellness Center and support groups that help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Your doctor will receive a report of your progress.
