Pulmonary and respiratory services in Denver

HealthONE's pulmonary specialists diagnose and treat lung conditions in children and adults. These teams at our hospitals include pulmonologists, oncologists, thoracic surgeons, nurses and respiratory therapists. Together, they help treat and care for patients with lung disorders and breathing difficulties.

For more information about HealthONE's pulmonary services, call us at (303) 575-0055.

Our lung specialists

A lung doctor, known as a pulmonologist, is a physician who specializes in treating diseases of the lungs. Since respiratory (breathing) disorders are complex, serious medical conditions, your pulmonologist may work with a number of different types of specialists to provide the most comprehensive treatment possible. At our hospitals, some of these specialists are:

  • Allergists—Allergists are internal medicine specialists with extra training in allergies and immunology.
  • Cardiothoracic surgeons—Cardiothoracic surgeons have special training in performing operations on the thorax (chest area).
  • Oncologists—An oncologist is a doctor trained to provide cancer diagnostics and treatments.

Conditions we treat

Some of the adult and pediatric lung issues we deal with include:

  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Bronchitis (acute and chronic)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Croup
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Emphysema
  • Epiglottitis
  • Interstitial lung disease (ILD, scarring of lung tissue)
  • Lung cancer
  • Lung nodules
  • Pleural effusion
  • Pleurisy
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Expert screening and testing

Our pulmonary diagnostics labs offer many tests and assessments, including:

  • Arterial blood gas (ABG) test
  • Asthma testing (adults only)
  • Complete pulmonary function testing (PFT)
    • Pediatric PFTs (ages eight and older)
    • PFT with bronchodilator response
    • PFT with respiratory muscle strength training
  • High-altitude simulation testing
  • Screening spirometry (to measure how well the lungs perform)
  • Thoracentesis (removing fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes)

Lung cancer screening

Many of our imaging centers offer lung cancer screenings for patients at high-risk for developing the disease. Specifically, low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening has been shown to be successful in detecting lung cancer at an earlier stage. This is when it can be treated most effectively.

If cancer is detected, our hospitals are affiliated with some of the top oncology experts through our connection with Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.

Treatments for lung conditions

We offer many treatments for your lung problems, including medication management, advanced surgery, education and follow-up care with any specialists you need. Two of our unique and effective resources include:

Bronchial thermoplasty for asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition where the airways can become smaller or narrower, making it hard to breathe. To help provide long-lasting asthma control, we offer bronchial thermoplasty.

This outpatient procedure is performed without drugs and provides additional benefits to standard asthma medications, including:

  • Decreased respiratory-related visits to the emergency room (ER) and hospital
  • Less time lost from work, school and other daily activities
  • Reduced asthma attacks

Tobacco cessation program

Our doctors and staff are committed to your health and wellness, including helping you achieve a healthier, tobacco-free lifestyle.

Counseling sessions combined with two forms of nicotine replacement therapy has shown to increase quit rates as much as 40 percent. To that end, our individual treatment protocol is delivered in four phases:

  • Preparation session—motivational interviewing and assessing readiness
  • Quit-date session—coping with withdrawal, behavior and cognitive changes
  • Maintenance—addressing relapse and forward-planning for social events
  • Follow-up calls—brief calls one week after your last session as well as three months after your quit-date session

Pulmonary rehabilitation

As part of our comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation services, we offer pulmonary rehabilitation at the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center at North Suburban Medical Center.

The program will be tailored to your needs to help improve your respiratory function. It may include a combination of high- and low-intensity exercises, education on medications and oxygen therapy. We will also offer healthy lifestyle tips and personalized support.

Benefits of pulmonary rehab include:

  • Decrease in coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
  • Improvement in ease of breathing
  • Improvement in personal independence
  • Increase in ability to participate in daily activities
  • Increase in energy, strength and endurance
  • Reduction in hospital admissions and/or physician visits

Pulmonary rehab candidates

Pulmonary rehabilitation is prescribed for patients who have certain lung diseases, such as chronic asthma or COPD, or have recently undergone lung surgery.

To qualify for our pulmonary rehabilitation program, patients must:

  • Receive a recommendation for pulmonary rehab from their doctor
  • Have a chronic, yet stable, lung disease or condition
  • Complete a pulmonary function test
  • Experience a shortness of breath with regular everyday activities
  • Work to meet benchmarks of measurable improvement
  • Be physically able as well as willing to participate