The cardio-pulmonary therapy staff provides services for children who have problems with the heart or lungs.
Cardio-pulmonary therapy highlights:
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital has the largest pediatric Lung Transplant Program in the United States, and cardiopulmonary therapists are experienced in treating children before and after this major surgery.
- Our staff helps children regain or maintain strength during and after a hospital stay.
- Children with asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hypertension, sleep apnea, and obesity can benefit from cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
- Cardio-pulmonary physical therapists develop customized prescriptions for exercise and other healthful practices to help a child on the road to recovery.
- The cardiopulmonary therapy program is part of the Cystic Fibrosis Center. The team of physicians and physical therapists has extensive experience and expertise caring for children hospitalized for cystic fibrosis exacerbations.
- St. Louis Children’s Hospital is affiliated with the Washington University School of Medicine Program in Physical Therapy which is a top-ranked program. This affiliation provides children with the benefits of the latest research and treatments.
- Because St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s therapists specialize in treating children, they understand fun is an important part of therapy. Therapists incorporate play into exercise and know how to motivate a child. Whether pumping up heart rates by racing on scooters or roller-skating in the hallway, children of all ages have fun while improving heart and lung function. Fun activities and games, careful monitoring of vital signs, combined with the therapists' expertise, allows each child to safely meet his or her goals.
Therapy program
After a child’s doctor recommends cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, St. Louis Children’s Hospital physical therapists evaluate the child and recommend a treatment program. This may begin while the child is in the hospital or a program may be implemented at home or as an outpatient.
Our therapists work closely with a child’s physician and other healthcare professionals to form a comprehensive team to best care for the child. A primary physical therapist coordinates care and focuses on achieving specific goals.
The overall goal of the program is to help a child reach his or her maximum physical potential. This is accomplished by working with families and the child to set realistic, age-appropriate goals. For example, if a child’s goal is to be able to ride a bike, the therapist will develop a program to work towards this goal.
Families will learn what they can do at home to help. The friendly, open setting allows constant communication between families and the child’s therapist. The therapists also help the coping process with a child’s health problems and offer support, encouragement, and advice. Families will learn to promote a child’s independence on his or her road to recovery.
