Outpatient Respiratory Services

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Specialized outpatient support for diaphragm recovery after injury

At Shepherd Center, we understand the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord or brain injuries who have weaned off a ventilator or still depend on mechanical ventilation, either part-time or full-time. That’s why our commitment to your respiratory health doesn’t end when you leave inpatient rehabilitation.

Our outpatient respiratory services

The Respiratory Therapy program uses a variety of treatments to address respiratory concerns and improve lung function. Your dedicated care team of respiratory therapists personalizes your treatment plan based on your individual respiratory needs, ensuring your respiratory health stays in top shape. Common outpatient services include:

  • Follow-up appointments with the pulmonologist
  • Annual checkups for ongoing respiratory health monitoring
  • Tracheostomy changes
  • Diaphragmatic pacemaker programming
  • Lung volume recruitment
  • Ventilator weaning
  • Diaphragmatic pacemaker evaluations and surgeries
  • Diaphragmatic pacemaker weaning
  • Mouthpiece ventilation
Devin Bateman and his mother Celeste.

Empowering independent breathing

The Respiratory Therapy program at Shepherd Center is dedicated to supporting you throughout your journey to breathing independently. We focus on closely monitoring, minimizing, and potentially eliminating the need for tracheostomies and ventilators. One unique option we offer is diaphragmatic pacemakers — a specialized treatment providing continuous ventilatory support for individuals relying on a ventilator or tracheostomy full-time.

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