FRESH AIR
A Newsletter for Breathe PA’s Supporters and Friends
STAY HEALTHY THIS FALL
Colder weather is right around the corner, and so is an expected uptick in infectious respiratory diseases. People spending more time indoors contributes to the spread. Rhinoviruses, culprits of the common cold, usually peak in early fall, while influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human coronaviruses typically peak in the winter.
Remember that:
• If you are sick, stay home. Contact your doctor about persistent or worsening symptoms. Seek immediate care for symptoms that could be signs of an emergency, such as trouble breathing or chest pain.
• Wearing a mask in public indoor spaces will help reduce the spread of all viruses, including COVID-19. If you are infected with the coronavirus and do not know it, a mask may help keep your respiratory droplets and particles from infecting others.
• Handwashing remains as important as ever. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Take steps to protect yourself now:
• Get your flu vaccine.
• If you haven’t already received your coronavirus vaccine, now is the time. Vaccines are available at most major pharmacies. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find one near you.
• The CDC currently recommends additional vaccine doses or booster shots for people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems because they are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes people who have:
o Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
o Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
o Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
o Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
o Advanced or untreated HIV infection
o Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
Booster guidance is continuously changing. Talk to your doctor about your medical condition to determine whether a booster shot is appropriate for you at this time.
HONORING BREATHE PA’S LUNG HEALTH CHAMPIONS
In late spring, Breathe Pennsylvania put out a call for nominations for health care practitioners who provide exemplary care to individuals with respiratory disease. The response was overwhelming! We’ve always known that our local health care practitioners are special and make a difference in the lives of their patients, but we were blown away by the personal stories and heartfelt thanks from their patients, colleagues, and family members.
These are the people who you call on when you’re feeling short of breath, who help you understand the differences in your respiratory medications, who help you access resources that improve your quality of life, and that guide you through medical emergencies.
Three deserving winners- Mr. Joseph Gordon, Dr. Mark Lega, and Mrs. Brittany Repko- received proclamations from Allegheny County Councilman, and Breathe PA Board Member, Tom Baker on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Each is profiled inside this newsletter.
We thank these lung health champions for the work that they do to improve the lives of people with lung disease. We are pleased to honor them and thank them for their dedication and service to our community.
Dr. Mark Lega, Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician at Allegheny Health Network, was nominated by a patient who said, “I met Dr. Lega at AGH in 1990 or 1991. I was fighting for my life due to spontaneous pneumothoracies and multiple infections. I had a team of pulmonologists who were great in sustaining my life however, there was one who stood out among them and not just for his professionalism as a physician but for his humanitarian acts of kindness. He seemed to go above and beyond and treated me as a human being with feelings and emotions rather than treating me as just a patient with bad lungs and a dying body. I was extremely sick, and a lot of things are foggy but the impression that Dr. Lega left upon me is crystal clear. Over the years I have contacted Dr. Lega and kept him updated on my progress which I owe a great deal of to him. He has never been too busy to respond back and I am not even an active patient of his. That shows his character, his humane side and how important in the recovery process it is to treat the patient as a person as well as a patient. Dr Lega was a very young doctor when he was placed on my case and I can only imagine how many other lung patients have benefitted from Dr. Lega’s care. I feel he deserves to be recognized because he has been in practice for years and that means many have been given their life back due to his hard work and dedication to his field of pulmonology. May the medical field be gifted with many more Dr. Lega’s.”
Mr. Joseph Gordon, Respiratory Therapist at Allegheny Health Network, was nominated by a physician colleague who said, “Joe has been a respiratory therapist at AGH for decades, establishing everlasting relationships from all medical staff. He knows everyone from environmental services, physicians, trainees, nurses, managers, administrators, etc. He was subsequently recruited to be the lead navigator for a novel program for AHN: COPD care transformation in 2015 with two Pulmonologists with the program’s focal point with bringing care to a COPD patient who was admitted for an acute exacerbation. Prior to discharge, the navigator makes arrangements for medications, therapy, oxygen assist devices with case management and home care, and follow-up appointments. In addition, they also track the patient after discharge for any gaps in care and have become the main point of contact for the patients. Joe has been the lead in all of this. Patients love him and go to him for all respiratory issues. He is the liaison for all things respiratory related and have become not just a provider for the patients, but also a friend/family. Patients listen to him. He is the heart and soul of the program and one of the main reasons for the growing success of this program is Joe. From starting with a few hundred patients at 1 facility and 3 individuals, the team is now at 5 facilities with 7 team members. He continues to be a champion and advocate for the program and for our COPD patients.
Mrs. Brittany Repko, Respiratory Therapy Supervisor at UPMC Passavant, was nominated twice, once by a patient and once by a family member. The patient stated that, “I have personally witnessed Ms. Repko in action. Her dedication to her patients and patients families especially during this pandemic is truly inspiring. She convinced me to quit smoking over 15 years ago and keeps me informed of new treatments and medications. As I was a frequent victim of pneumonia, Ms. Repko referred me to a Pulmonary specialist who I have been seeing for a number of years now. I am proud to say that my lungs have been clear for a long time. Ms. Repko is a credit to her profession, an amazing therapist, and a truly caring person. She exemplifies what a Respiratory Therapist should be.” Her family member said that, “She is the most dedicated and caring person I know within healthcare. She constantly goes above and beyond for her patients, coworkers and hospital. She inspired me long ago and I have been free from smoking for 10 years.”
MYTHBUSTERS
As a respiratory health organization, we field many questions about the health of our lungs, and the impact of coronavirus on the lungs. Let’s bust some myths!
Myth 1: Wearing a mask will cause damage to me by increasing the amount of carbon dioxide I breathe and limiting my oxygen levels.
Mythbuster 1: Wearing a mask poses no risk of hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the tissues) in healthy adults. Mask materials are tight enough to catch droplets, which can carry particles such as viruses, but loose enough to allow gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide to freely diffuse through the mask during breathing. Healthcare providers have been wearing masks for years, often for extended periods of time. If you feel like you cannot wear a mask you should speak to your doctor.
Remember that there are some groups of people that should NOT wear a mask. They include children under the age of 2; a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability; or a person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty.
Myth 2: A coronavirus vaccine will make me sick with COVID-19.
Mythbuster 2: None of the COVID-19 vaccines in the United States contain the live virus that causes COVID-19. This means that a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. Sometimes this process can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are signs that the body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PULMONARY REHABILITATION
1. What is pulmonary rehab (PR) and why should I consider pulmonary rehab?
According to the American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society pulmonary rehabilitation is “an evidence-based multidisciplinary and comprehensive intervention for patients with chronic respiratory diseases who are symptomatic and often have decreased daily activities.” Think of it as physical therapy for your lungs with the added benefit of making the rest of your muscles work better. It is proven to help increase lung function.
2. Does pulmonary rehabilitation work?
It does indeed work. Some of the benefits are:
• Increased muscle strength and endurance
• A decrease in symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue
• An improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQOL)
• Significant improvement in sleep quality
• Increased knowledge of your disease and how to better manage it
• Decrease in depression and anxiety
• Decrease in “flare-ups” meaning a possible decrease in medications taken
• Increase in exercise capacity
• The ability to return to work and participate in other activities
3. Who should participate?
Patients with COPD are the majority of those that are referred to PR programs by their physicians, but studies show that it may also be beneficial to any patient with respiratory symptoms that result in diminished functional lung capacity or decreased quality of life. This can include those with pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease or neuromuscular diseases.
4. My lungs were affected by Covid-19. Should I attend pulmonary rehab?
Ask your doctor if attending pulmonary rehab would be beneficial for you. There has been a significant increase in the numbers of post-Covid patients attending PR to help restrengthen their lungs, but you should talk to your doctor to determine if PR is right for you.
5. What happens there and what will I be doing?
Pulmonary Rehab is tailored to everyone’s needs, goals and condition. You will be evaluated by a respiratory therapist and/or physical therapist and a program will then be developed according to the results. It can include exercise conditioning, breathing retraining, step and strengthening exercise, aerobic activity, nutritional counseling and an outcomes assessment evaluation of your progress.
6. How can I participate?
Talk to your physician. PR requires a prescription they will be able to recommend a facility close to your home.
7. Will my insurance cover pulmonary rehab?
It depends. Your physician’s office will be able to determine if you qualify. Your insurance determines the copay and number of sessions. You may have a copay for each visit so please be sure you are aware of what your financial responsibility will be.
8. Does Breathe PA have a program that can help?
Yes, we do. As part of our patient assistance program, we can consult with your rehab facility to determine if financial help is needed. We currently work with several PR locations, so don’t hesitate to ask your therapist if you qualify. Good luck and good breathing!!
When is the last time you tested your home for radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that enters your home through the foundation. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, responsible for 21,000 deaths each year, but testing and remediation will help keep your home safe. Testing kits are available from Breathe PA for $15, which includes shipping and analysis. Order yours today at www.breathepa.org/product/radon-test-kit/
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
Medicare open enrollment begins October 15, 2021. The best time to join a Medicare Part B health or Part D drug plan is when you first enroll in Medicare. If you are still working and are covered by your employer’s insurance plan you may continue to do so without having to pay a penalty, but if you forgot or chose not to enroll in a Medicare plan then this is the time for you to do so. Not only can you newly enroll, but you will be able to switch or drop certain plans at this time. The rules can get confusing so make sure to read carefully or have an insurance advisor help you navigate.
PHILIPS RESPIRONICS
SLEEP AND RESPIRATORY CARE DEVICE RECALL
On June 14, 2021, Philips Respironics recalled several ventilator and CPAP/BiPAP devices with sound abatement foam that may degrade and move through the air pathway to be ingested or inhaled by the user, and may off-gas certain chemicals.
• For patients using BiLevel PAP and CPAP devices: Discontinue use of affected units and consult with physicians to determine the benefits of continuing therapy and potential risks.
• For patients using life-sustaining mechanical ventilator devices: DO NOT discontinue or alter prescribed therapy, without consulting physicians to determine appropriate next steps.
• Register affected devices on the recall notification at www.philips.com/SRC-update or call 877-907-7508
TEEN VAPING TRENDS
The Monitoring the Future Study, conducted by the University of Michigan, found that teen vape use leveled off but remained high in 2020, with 23% of 8th graders, 39% of 10th graders, and 44% of 12th graders using vapes with nicotine in their lifetime. Nearly 2 in 5 students in 12th grade reported past-year vaping, raising concerns about the impact on brain health and potential for addiction. Teens vaping marijuana is now more common than teens smoking cigarettes.
Vaping devices are getting smaller, more commonly 3-in1 devices (can vape juices, concentrates, and oils, instead of limiting users to just one product), and some can be linked to mobile apps. This means that they are harder to detect, can be used to vape multiple products, and are easier and more interactive for the user.
Identifying vape devices is harder than you might think. Test your knowledge below! Can you tell which devices are vapes, and which are not?
Cranberry Professional Park
201 Smith Drive, Suite E
Cranberry Twp., PA 16066
FRESH AIR | FALL, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 1, 2021 Back-to-School Asthma Webinar (Virtual) from 12 pm to 1 pm
o For parents and guardians of children with asthma
o Free, register at https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/5666217042588988417
October 18, 2021 SLEEP Group (Virtual) from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
o You Have Another Option: Oral Appliances with Dr. Nicole Chenet
o For people with sleep apnea
o Free, register at https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/3006290607367016449
March 15, 2022
8th Annual Tuberculosis Education Conference (Virtual)
o For nurses and respiratory therapists
o Three continuing education credits anticipated
o Registration will open in January 2022
June 17, 2022
7th Annual Breathing in the ‘Burgh COPD Cruise (In-Person)
o For adults with lung disease
o Registration will open in January 2022