Cardiopulmonary Department

The Cardiopulmonary Department at Southwest Memorial Hospital, comprised of the Cardiac Diagnostics Section and Respiratory Care Services, offers a wide range of testing and rehabilitation programs. 

Cardiac Stress Testing

What is a treadmill test?

A treadmill test consists of walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike while being monitored to determine if you have a heart condition. During this test the level of work will start out very light and increase gradually until symptoms occur, your physician has enough information to make a diagnosis or you reach a predetermined heart rate.

Are there any special preparations?

YES, ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF THERE ARE ANY MEDICINES HE or SHE DOES NOT WANT YOU TO TAKE PRIOR TO THE TEST.

What is a Cardiolite Stress Test?

In addition to the regular portion of the stress test, your doctors also want a scan of your heart using Cardiolite. Cardiolite is a radioactive material, which is cleared from your body naturally. The amount of radiation you will be exposed to is equal to that from an X-ray or CAT Scan. Cardiolite will allow the physician to compare the blood flow to the heart during rest and after the stress test. The first injection of Cardiolite will be given approximately 11/2 hours before your stress test. During this time a small needle will be inserted into a vein (probably in your arm) and a small amount of Cardiolite will be given. Following this you will be placed under a camera for pictures to be taken of your heart. It takes about 25 minutes for the pictures to be taken. The same process will follow after the stress test is completed.

Are there any further instructions?

If you are having a Cardiolite Scan, do NOT EAT or DRINK CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES or SMOKE CIGARETTES OR CIGARS OR CHEW TOBACCO 6 HOURS prior to the test.

How does the heart monitor work?

Ten (10) patches will be placed on different spots on your chest. These patches will be connected to a machine, which will allow the physician to monitor your heart.

Electrocardiogram (EKG) Testing

24-Hour Holter Monitoring and Scanning

What will the Holter Monitor record?

Using seven small patches, the Holter Monitor will record the electrical activity of your heart from three different angles for a 24-hour period. A small computer card will store all of the information. Upon your returning monitor, this small card will be taken out of the recorder and placed in a computer to be analyzed.

What will the report tell my physician?

Every single heart beat which occurred during the time you wear the monitor will be counted and analyzed. This will allow your physician to determine if your symptoms are the result of an irregular heart beat or a lack of blood flow to your heart. Frequently a Holter Monitor is ordered to determine the effectiveness of certain treatments for irregular heart beats. This can be determined with a Holter Monitor.

Is there any special preparation?

No. Wear lose fitting clothing. You will not be able to get the patches you will wear wet. Therefore no shower or bath for a 24 hour period.

How long does the test last?

To hook up the monitor. It will take approximately 20 minutes. You will wear the monitor for 24 hours and return it back to the lab. It will take approximately five minutes to remove the monitor.

Pulmonary Function Testing (including spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion studies)

What are Pulmonary Function Test (PFT’s)?

There are many test that are considered pulmonary function tests. The list may include PFT’s with and without bronchodilator, lung volumes, diffusion capacity, and slow vital capacity to name a few. All of these test require the patient to blow into a tube while sitting in a chair.

What do the test measure?

Each test measures a specific function of your lungs or records of specific volume of air in your lungs. All of these measurements allow your doctor or a lung specialist to determine a diagnosis and a proper plan of treatment if needed. The test is also used  to determine if the medicine you are taking is working effectively.

Are there any instructions?

Yes. First of all, wear loose clothing. Do not wear any item that restricts your ability to take a deep breath. Secondly, avoid large meals before the scheduled test time. Ask your doctor if he/she wants you to use your inhaled medicines prior to the test. MOST DOCTORS want your inhaled medicine WITHHELD 6 HOURS PRIOR to the test.

Monitored Electroencephalogram (EEG) Testing

Breathing Treatments

Non Invasive Vascular Testing

Pulse Oximetry

Cardiac Outputs

Mechanical Ventilation

Oxygen Administration

Aerosolized Medication Therapy

Chest Physiotherapy

Incentive Spirometry

IPPB

Aerosol and Humidity Therapy

Suctioning/Airway Care

Sputum collection for lab analysis

Resuscitation and CPR

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Patient and Family Education

• Respiratory Wellness
• Use of Metered Dose Inhalers
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Record keeping and billing processing

Continuous Quality Improvement

Modern Sleep Study Unit

The Cardiopulmonary Department, located on the 2^nd floor of the hospital, provides services in the following areas:

• ICU/TCU
• Emergency Room
• Medical/Surgical Unit
• OB/Nursery
• Surgery
• Same Day Care
• PACU
• Medical Imaging
• Cardiopulmonary Department

• Types of practitioners providing services and care include: RRT, CRT, RPFT, CPFT, CVT, CP Technicians.
• Two practitioners are routinely scheduled on weekdays, one on evenings and one on nights.
• Additional staff is provided as needs arise.

For information regarding any of these tests or programs, please contact the Cardiopulmonary Department at 970-564-2360 or 970-564-2361.  You may fax to us at 970-564-2366 .