The Michigan Medicine COPD Clinic is unique in that we have multi-disciplinary expertise including physicians, nursing, respiratory therapy, social work and nutrition all co-located and available at the point of care. We have developed a standardized assessment but are prepared to develop individual therapy plans to meet the needs of individual patients. Patients will also be evaluated, if they desire, for potential participation in clinical trials being conducted in COPD at the University of Michigan. Evaluation also includes referral to our lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant programs if needed.
Our clinic is equipped to care for a wide range of patients including the newly diagnosed, those who may have recently been discharged from the hospital and those interested in advanced therapies including lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant.
Services
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: This program brings together a dedicated team of experts to provide a supportive, attentive and compassionate environment using individualized treatments to help those with pulmonary disease reduce their symptoms and improve their lives. Located just across the street from our Women's Respiratory Clinic, our Pulmonary Rehabilitation facility provides therapy programs that may include an exercise regimen (strength and aerobic training), breathing training, smoking cessation, nutrition support, and/or counseling.
- Lung Transplantation: Lung transplantation is the surgical replacement of either one (single) or two (double) badly diseased lungs with healthy lungs from a human organ donor.
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a surgical option to treat emphysema, and is only performed when the use of all medical treatments (medications, pulmonary rehabilitation) have been tried and symptoms still persist. During the surgery, 20% to 30% of the most diseased portions of the lung are removed. By reducing the size of the over-expanded lung, the diaphragm, chest wall, and rib cage are able to resume to a more normal shape and to work more efficiently.
- Smoking Cessation Counseling
- Nutrition Counseling
- Clinical Research: Investigators at the University of Michigan are actively involved in helping to understand, diagnose, and develop new treatments for COPD. Cutting-edge research studies and clinical trials are regularly available to patients who qualify. View current COPD studies on UMHealthResearch.org or search for other studies on the UMHealthResearch.org home page.
Patient Resources
Appointment Information
To schedule an appointment at the COPD Clinic, please have your referring physician fax your records including office notes, pulmonary function testing (PFT) results and CT Scan/Chest X-ray results to our call center at (734) 998-2517. Once records are received they will be reviewed and one of our schedulers will contact you to schedule an appointment. You can also check the status of your referral by calling us at (734) 615-3217.
During your first visit, we will collect a thorough history and conduct a comprehensive exam. A breathing test (spirometry) where we measure your lung capacity as you blow through a tube attached to a machine will also be performed. Spirometry is required to make a diagnosis of COPD. Other tests, such as a chest x-ray or CT exam, may also be needed to confirm diagnosis or rule out other medical conditions.