Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Appointments & Information

Pomona 909.865.9810

Certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), PVHMC’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is recognized as a leader in the field offering the most advanced practices available.

For the estimated 115 million people living with chronic pulmonary conditions like emphysema, persistent asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or lung cancer, every breath is a battle. Even simple tasks like getting dressed or climbing the stairs can be exhausting. And if they aren’t managed properly, such diseases can lead to multiple trips to the doctor or extended stays in the hospital – resulting in more than $100 billion in health care costs every year, according the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

If you have a chronic lung condition, pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that uses exercise and education to put you back in charge of your breathing, instead of your breathing being in charge of you. Patients enrolled in this program are finding that after just a few weeks of treatment, they are less short of breath, less tired and more independent. And there’s even more good news – research has shown that people with chronic lung conditions who exercise feel better, and if they are hospitalized, are admitted for a shorter period of time than those who don’t exercise.

While almost everyone can safely engage in exercise, deciding what’s “safe” needs to be individualized. This is where our pulmonary rehabilitation specialists can help. We provide the one-on-one instruction that makes our program the only one of its kind in the area. Our therapists will help you adjust your level of exercise to your own needs, spend extra time educating you about your condition, and give you personalized feedback on performance and progress. The final result – an improved quality of life.

What We're Hearing From Our Patients and Therapists

Helen Fuquay, patient: “I had a lot of pulmonary issues as a child that got worse as I got older, and eventually it got to the point that I could hardly walk across the room without feeling like I was going to pass out. I really believe now that this program pulled me out of a depression, and it certainly helped me breathe better. If I hadn’t joined, I wouldn’t be in nearly as good condition as I am today.”

Joe Webster, patient: “It was one of the best things I ever did in my life. They taught me to breathe properly and put me on an exercise program that I still follow, and I met wonderful people.”

Tammy Magill, respiratory therapist: “I don’t know if there is anything more frightening than not being able to breathe, so for our patients this program is life changing. We spend a lot of time educating each patient individually, giving them feedback on their performance and progress so that they can return to their lives.”

Sandy Kraemer, physical therapist: “When people first come to us, many aren’t able to walk for even a few minutes. When they leave, they are able to go shopping at the mall or be out in the community and have confidence about getting up and moving around.”

Who Will Benefit from Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

After their introduction to pulmonary-respiratory services as an inpatient, many will enroll in PVHMC's outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program upon discharge from the hospital. Others are referred from their doctor. The program is designed to help patients increase stamina, decrease breathlessness and reduce the risk of disease progression. Pulmonary rehab patients are suffering from:

• COPD
• Persistent asthma
• Interstitial lung disease
• Bronchiectasis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Obstructive/restrictive lung disease
• Lung transplant

About PVHMC's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Medical Director: Gurbinder Sadana, MD

After an initial evaluation, our clinicians will work closely with the physician to design an individually tailored exercise plan that promotes increased pulmonary efficiency according to strict AACVPR guidelines. Patients are monitored closely by a respiratory therapist as they maintain a specific activity regimen. A typical treatment plan requires 2 sessions per week for 18 sessions. Pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by insurance and recognized by Medicare. A physician referral is required. Pulmonary Rehab includes:

• Pulse oximetry monitoring
• Resting oxygen saturation pre/post walk test
• Blood pressure checks
• Pulmonary function screen
• A 6-minute walk test
• Lifetime benefit of up to 36 sessions

Education on lifestyle modification is offered through risk factor reduction and disease management group classes. Individual counseling sessions include medical nutrition therapy and psycho-social counseling. In addition, referrals for diabetes management and smoking cessation are available upon request.

• Cost – Covered under most insurance
• Location – The Charles M. Magistro Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center in the Robert and Beverly Lewis Outpatient Pavilion
• Required – A physician’s prescription
• Getting Started – Register through PVHMC Rehabilitation Services by calling 909.865.9810

For more information about Pulmonary Rehab at PVHMC, please download our Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation brochure.

PVHMC's Cardiovascular-Pulmonary Wellness Program

What do you do after formal rehab ends?

Our “Exercise for Life” Program allows participants to extend the benefits of their rehab program independently, but still exercise in a medically supervised environment. Structured to assist those in need of managing heart, vascular, lung, and other chronic conditions, this program includes:

• Cardiac Risk Stratification Assessment
• Ongoing monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate and other disease related risk factors
• Education and personal counseling on risk reduction
• Individualized exercise program designed by medically trained exercise physiologists and physical therapists
• Orthopedic screening and consultation if needed
• Supervision by our cardiovascular rehabilitation staff
• Exercise sessions in the Rehabilitation Services gym

Cost Options –

$30–4 sessions | $300–6 months

$60–8 sessions | $600–12 months

A physician signed enrollment form is required. Click here for the enrollment form.

Location – The Charles M. Magistro Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center in the Robert and Beverly Lewis Outpatient Pavilion
Required – A written "Clearance to Participate" from a doctor. Click here to download this form.
Getting Started – Register through PVHMC Rehabilitation Services by calling 909.865.9810​

For more information about Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center's Rehabilitation Services, please call 909.865.9810. For maps to all of our rehabilitation facilities click here.

Leading The Way In Rehabilitative Healthcare Since 1954