Inpatient Pulmonology Services Introduced, Outpatient Services Expanded
HILLSDALE, Mich.—Hillsdale Hospital announced the launch of its enhanced pulmonology programs for its patients and the community. The hospital’s outpatient clinic has also expanded, with more providers and more appointment options to meet the growing need for pulmonology care in the community and surrounding areas. Two of the many health conditions impacted by this growing program are COVID-19 and lung cancer.
COVID-19 patients with severe illness often need care from specialists who consult with the attending providers during an inpatient stay at the hospital. The disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus often results in severe cardiopulmonary implications, meaning patients’ lung function can be affected.
“Now more than ever, this service is critical to our community, as we have been able to serve for more COVID-19 inpatients requiring the care of a pulmonologist while hospitalized,” President & CEO JJ Hodshire said. “In the past, some of the patients we’ve been seeing would have been transferred for that specialty care, but because of the limited inpatient and critical care beds across the tri-state area right now, that’s not always an option. Fortunately, we have been able keep those patients here, ensuring that they get the highest level of specialty care that they need while hospitalized and upon discharge through our expanded outpatient program.”
In addition to benefiting COVID-19 patients, the hospital’s robust pulmonology services have been designed around screening programs for early lung cancer detection, including a multi-disciplinary physician team. According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States, making up almost a quarter of all cancer deaths. In 2020, lung cancer screening dropped by 39 percent.
“This year the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed their guidelines for lung cancer screening recommending low-dose CT Screening for people age 50 to 80 years who are at high risk for lung cancer because of their smoking history,” Pulmonologist Dr. Anish Wadhwa said. “We urge individuals to speak to their physician to see if they qualify for this life saving exam.”
Individuals who qualify for a low-dose CT screening program will get screened annually so their pulmonologist can see changes in the lung tissue over time to identify any suspicious nodules that may need to be further investigated as potentially cancerous. This regular screening increases the likelihood that lung cancer will be detected much earlier, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes, including the potential to save a patient’s life.
“The multi-disciplinary lung nodule physician team is ready to assist in the management of any suspicious lung nodules,” Nicholle Mehr, chief strategy officer, said. “Recent studies show that patients who receive early intervention through screening programs have improved outcomes. Early detection is the best protection.”
For more information about Hillsdale Hospital Pulmonology Services, call (517) 437-8366 or visit www.hillsdalehospital.com. To find out if you qualify for a low-dose CT screening program, contact your primary care physician.
