September 27, 2016
West Columbia, S.C. – Two of Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs and the hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation program have received prestigious certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The certification demonstrates that Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are aligned with current evidence-based medicine and guidelines for appropriate and effective outpatient care of patients with cardiac issues.
Lexington Medical Center’s cardiac rehabilitation programs at the main hospital campus and at the hospital’s community medical center in Lexington received the certification. Cardiac Rehabilitation in Irmo just opened last year and must wait until next year to apply. Lexington Medical Center also achieved certification for its pulmonary rehabilitation program at the main hospital campus.
The goals of cardiac rehabilitation are to help patients recover from cardiac incidents, such as heart attack, stents or bypass surgery, and to help prevent another cardiac incident by developing healthy lifestyle habits through education and support.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to help patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic respiratory conditions. Using exercise and education, it enables patients to increase their strength and endurance, improve their breathing and reduce shortness of breath. The program also helps them deal with the anxiety and depression often associated with living with chronic respiratory conditions.
“This national certification ensures that our cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs provide all of the required components to assist patients in achieving these goals,” said John Leech, manager of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center are comprehensive programs with exercise, education, motivation and support that leads to the best possible outcomes.”
AACVPR-certified programs are awarded program certification after an extensive application process that details the program’s structure, individualized care plans, staff competencies and outcomes measurement. Certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.
“We’re meeting a high level of patient care,” said Lesa Naughton, clinical coordinator of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Lexington Medical Center’s community medical center in Lexington. “Cardiac rehabilitation saves lives.”
Photo included:
Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Staff at Lexington Medical Center
Lexington Medical Center is a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It anchors a health care network that includes five community medical centers and employs a staff of more than 8,000 health care professionals. The hospital is ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro and #2 hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. Lexington Medical Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence and has a clinical research and education affiliation with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and more than 70 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.
