Respiratory Care

Overview

The Respiratory Care Department at Western Wisconsin Health provides care to patients of all ages. Certified and registered respiratory therapists provide full-service respiratory care to inpatients and Emergency Department patients with acute or chronic respiratory illnesses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Services RT provides at Western Wisconsin Health include:

COPD program
Smoking cessation
Asthma education
Home oxygen setups
Respiratory treatment therapies
Asthma education
Lung function testing
6-minute walks
CPAP/BIPAP services setups with outsourced DMEs and mask fittings
N-95 mask fittings
Sleep studies
Pulmonary rehabilitation

Outpatient services are available Monday through Friday 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Our therapists provide or facilitate these services:

Make an Appointment

Contact

(715) 684-1111

Locations

Western Wisconsin Health Main Campus
1100 Bergslien Street
Baldwin, WI 54002

Outpatient Collection Hours

Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Limited services provided, call ahead to make an appointment)

Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program designed specifically for people with chronic lung conditions including, but not limited to:

COPD
Asthma
Pulmonary hypertension
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Pulmonary fibrosis

This program consists of exercise and education provided by a team of healthcare professionals such as nurses, respiratory therapists, and exercise physiologists working closely with your provider to help improve your quality of life. Prior to beginning rehab, you will need to meet with your healthcare provider to obtain a referral. Please call (715) 684-1111 for more information.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary Function Testing is a detailed look at how well you breathe.

Your healthcare provider may order this test for many reasons:

To verify if your lungs will tolerate anesthesia if you are planning on having surgery
To diagnose asthma or other underlying lung conditions
To explain why you might be short of breath
To see how smoking may have affected your lungs

Sleep Studies/CPAP Or BiPAP Referrals

We currently partner with Winmar Diagnostic, Inc. for our sleep studies. Winmar will work closely with you and your provider to ensure that you will receive the diagnostic and therapeutic evaluations necessary for treatment of sleep disorders.

Diagnosis of a sleep disorder begins with a conversation between you and your provider. Your provider may order a sleep study if you are experiencing any of the following:

Sudden awakening at night with a choking feeling or gasping for breath
Loud snoring
Arms or legs flailing during sleep
Frequently waking up with a headache and/or groggy feeling
Falling asleep while driving, at work, or in a social setting
Feeling drowsy during the day even after a full night’s sleep
Chronic exhaustion and personality changes such as depression or irritability

Sleep apnea is a common condition that may relate with these symptoms. People with sleep apnea actually stop breathing for a few seconds to over a minute at a time while they are asleep. Sleep apnea has been linked to issues such as heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, and depression.

Upon receiving a referral from your provider, a sleep study will be arranged on a night that is convenient for you. Following your test, your provider will determine the best method of treatment which can include behavioral therapy, weight loss, the application of continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, use of medications or in some cases surgery.

Tobacco Cessation

We would love to help you with your goal to quit smoking. Many people try several times to quit before they are successful – your next quit attempt may be your last! Call (715) 684-1111 to talk with one of our staff, or call the State of Wisconsin Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW

Patient Education On Self-Management Of Chronic Respiratory Diseases Such As Asthma And COPD

Respiratory Therapists serve as consultants to nurses, providers and other members of your healthcare team. Our Respiratory Care Department strives to provide the highest quality of care for you and your family.

This program consists of exercise and education provided by a team of healthcare professionals such as nurses, respiratory therapists, and exercise physiologists working closely with your provider to help improve your quality of life.

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