PULSE Fall 2023 7 For those living with an illness of the lungs, the Respiratory Care team at Central Peninsula Hospital is here to help. They can educate patients and treat a wide range of conditions locally— something that members of the community might not be aware of. “We have offered cardiopulmonary services for years right here in Soldotna,” says Angela Oyler, RRT, Director of Respiratory Care, Durable Medical Equipment, the Sleep Center and Cardiac/ Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “So we want our community to know they can get the care they need right here on the Peninsula.” There are many illnesses that require cardiopulmonary services. These diseases may include: ● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ● Chronic bronchitis. ● Asthma. ● Bronchiectasis. ● Bronchiolitis. ● Cystic fibrosis. ● Post-COVID-19. ● Pulmonary fibrosis. ● Pulmonary hypertension. ● Sarcoidosis. ● Allergies. ● Respiratory infections. Neurological issues that affect breathing include: ● Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ● Myasthenia gravis. ● Guillain-Barré syndrome. To help patients living with—or at risk for—these illnesses or others that affect the lungs, respiratory therapists work with specialty and primary care providers to perform the testing needed to create personalized care plans. “We provide acute care on the hospital side,” Oyler explains, “but we also provide diagnostics, rehab and education as part of ongoing management of pulmonary conditions. It’s all centered around trying to help our patients regain their quality of life and then maintain it as long as possible.” The full range of cardiopulmonary services available at CPH includes: ● Holter monitors. ● Overnight oximetry. ● Home oxygen testing. ● Respiratory care. ● Pulmonary function testing. ● Sleep studies. ● EEGs. ● EKGs. ● CPAP and BiPAP setup and supply. Pulmonary function testing Pulmonary function testing (PFT) shows how well lungs are functioning to help diagnose and treat lung disorders. CPH has the latest PFT technology to ensure that results from the test are accurate and provide the best insight into lung health. “We encourage anyone who needs PFT to get it done here,” Oyler says. “It’s a noninvasive test that tells us a lot about what kind of care the patient needs going forward.” Once your visit is complete, test results are sent to your medical provider. From there, if you are diagnosed with a lung issue, the PFT lab also offers patient education on the proper use of respiratory medications and breathing techniques that may benefit people with different disease processes. “We provide hands-on care that is personalized for each individual based on their diagnosis,” Oyler says. you will need CPAP or BiPAP to treat your sleep apnea, our sleep durable medical equipment team is here to help provide instruction and service your equipment. Regain your rest For more information about sleep disorders or the Sleep Center at Central Peninsula Hospital, call 907-714-4439. Experts who care If you or someone you love has ongoing breathing issues, get help from our skilled teams, led by Angela Oyler, RRT. Call 907-714-4433 to reach her, or call 907-714-4436 to schedule a pulmonary function test.
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