Pulmonology

Clinical services 

The scope of clinical services available through MedStar Health’s Pulmonary and Sleep Services Department is broad and diverse. Our goal is to ensure that we have a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options available for all patients who present in need of specialized care. Some of the most common conditions we diagnose and treat are as follows:

Pulmonary services

• Bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Infection Services
• Sarcoidosis
• Pulmonary Disorders Due to Neuromuscular Disease
• Pulmonary Hypertension

Sleep services

• Sleep Apnea
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Central sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Circadian rhythm disorders
• Narcolepsy
• Hypersomnia
• Restless leg syndrome
• Parasomnias

Additionally, we offer a number of specialized services for patients as they work with their clinical providers to confirm an accurate diagnosis, build an effective treatment plan, and identify resources for long-term management of challenging respiratory conditions. These services include:

• Pulmonary rehabilitation
• Pulmonary function testing
• Lung cancer screening program
• Sleep testing

Multidisciplinary care

Those diagnosed with complex pulmonary and sleep conditions often require a long-term treatment plan, and it is important that all members of the care team are working together to streamline the process of care for the benefit of each patient.

Collaborative care with involvement and perspective from a team of diverse clinical specialists is key.

Our team comes together on a routine basis to review patient cases and conditions, analyze potential pathways to care, identify the best course action for each patient, and discuss programs and resources that can assist patients with special needs. This multidisciplinary approach to care benefits patients in a number of ways. Coordinated care means that all providers involved with the patient’s treatment plan are on the same page in terms of intended processes and timelines, pros and cons of the recommended treatment plan have been evaluated, and the steps the patient needs to take from start to finish are clear and streamlined. Our Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program is especially beneficial for patients diagnosed with cancer.

Technology

MedStar Health has invested in the latest, most innovative technologies, designed to optimize the process of care for patients who can benefit from advanced procedures to treat complex respiratory conditions. These technologies include:

• Ion Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy
  This state-of-the-art technology is used to diagnose and treat lung cancer and makes it possible for surgeons to reach lesions that are smaller or deeper in the lungs. Using ION, surgeons can identify possible cancerous tumors sooner and treat them immediately. The machine is built to capture a three-dimensional map of the lungs, which then guides the physician as the procedure is performed. Thin, flexible instruments are used, allowing pulmonologists to reach areas of the lung that otherwise may be hard to access. This minimally invasive procedure is performed on an outpatient basis (patients typically go home the same day).
• Combined Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (CRATS)
  Combined Robotic Assisted Thoracic Surgery (CRATS) can detect, biopsy, diagnose, stage, and remove lung tumors during a single, minimally invasive procedure. This procedure significantly shortens the time between diagnosis and treatment and aims to prevent the spread of cancer. Patients first undergo a low-dose CT scan of the lung, allowing any tumors present to be identified. If a tumor is found, the ION Robotic Assisted Bronchoscope is used to biopsy the tumor and determine if it’s cancerous. If cancer is found, a special type of ultrasound is used to determine if the cancer has spread to the surrounding lymph nodes. If the lymph nodes are determined to be normal, the patient immediately has surgery to remove the portion of the lung with the tumor. The entire procedure, from CT scan through surgery, is completed on the same day with use anesthesia services one time.