Respiratory Services
If you have trouble breathing, St. Mary’s Respiratory Services Department is here to help.
St. Mary’s offers a full continuum of respiratory care, from treatments that may relax bronchial passages and make breathing easier to critical care airway management. Whether you have mild or severe respiratory distress, our staff brings more than 150 years of experience to help you breathe easier.
Location
St. Mary’s Outpatient Pulmonary Function Laboratory is located on the 1st Floor of St. Mary’s Hospital at 1230 Baxter St., Athens. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment. A doctor’s order is required.
Tests and services
Outpatient diagnostics
St. Mary’s Pulmonary Function Laboratory is used to assess lung volume and lung function in order to help diagnose conditions such as asthma and COPD. It also can be used to measure reaction to bronchodilator drugs and to find out if patients with severe respiratory disease might qualify for lung resection surgery.
Inpatient care
Our team of respiratory therapists provides breathing assessments and treatments throughout St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition, they are directly involved in the care of patients who require critical care airway management and ventilator assistance.
Surgical services
St. Mary’s and its surgical medical staff provide a wide range of surgical procedures for respiratory conditions, including lung resection and airway reconstruction.
Cardiopulmonary Rehab
St. Mary’s offers all three phases of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Pulmonary Rehabilitation to help patients achieve their maximum level of confidence and recovery.
- Phase I – education provided to inpatients during their stay at St. Mary’s
- Phase II – 36 sessions combining education with monitored exercise. All classes meet at St. Mary’s Hospital
- Phase III – lifelong exercise and education to help maximize recovery and prevent future crises. Meets at St. Mary’s Wellness Center
Learn more about Cardiac Rehab
Learn more about Pulmonary Rehab
Healthy Heart Living
Free monthly class led by St. Mary’s certified professionals providing a basic overview of diabetes, nutrition, medication and smoking cessation.
Freedom from Smoking
Led by registered respiratory therapist and ex-smoker Todd Drake, St. Mary’s offers the American Lung Association’s Freedom from Smoking program twice a year for any adult who is ready to stop smoking.
Better Breathers Club
Monthly support group developed by the American Lung Association to provide education and support to people with chronic respiratory conditions and their caregivers.