Pulmonary Services

Whether patients require outpatient testing services or are suffering from a sudden or chronic pulmonary condition, our pulmonary specialists are available at Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital to work with patients to diagnose and treat a patient’s pulmonary condition.

Inpatient Pulmonary Services

Patients suffering from a sudden or chronic pulmonary condition may require hospitalization. Both Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital have a team of board-certified pulmonary specialists able to diagnose and provide treatment for the following conditions:

• Asthma
  • A chronic disease in which the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing.
• Bronchitis (acute and chronic)
  • An inflammation of the lining of your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs
• Bronchiectasis 
  • A chronic condition where the walls of the bronchi are thickened from inflammation and infection. 
• Chronic Obstructive Asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • A type of lung disease marked by permanent damage to tissues in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes chronic bronchitis, in which the bronchi (large air passages) are inflamed and scarred, and emphysema, in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are damaged.
• Chronic Respiratory Failure
• Emphysema
  • A disorder affecting the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs. The transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs takes place in the walls of the alveoli. In emphysema, the alveoli become abnormally inflated, damaging their walls and making it harder to breathe.
• Interstitial Lung Disease/Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Interstitial lung disease describes a large group of disorders, most of which cause progressive scarring of lung tissue. The scarring associated with interstitial lung disease eventually affects your ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into your bloodstream.

• Lung disease
  • A type of disease that affects the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. 
• Obstructive Chronic Bronchitis 
  • A lung condition that develops over time in which the bronchi (large air passages that lead to the lungs) become inflamed and scarred.
• Pneumonia
  • A severe inflammation of the lungs in which the alveoli (tiny air sacs) are filled with fluid.
• Post-COVID 19
  • A wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that people experience after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • occurs when a blood clot gets stuck in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Blood clots most often start in the legs and travel up through the right side of the heart and into the lungs. This is called deep vein thrombosis.
• Pulmonary hypertension
  • happens when the pressure in the blood vessels leading from the heart to the lungs is too high.
• Respiratory failure (acute and chronic)
  • A condition that makes it difficult to breathe on your own. Respiratory failure develops when the lungs can't get enough oxygen into the blood. 
• Sarcoidosis
  • An inflammatory disease marked by the formation of granulomas (small nodules of immune cells) in the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs. Sarcoid may be acute and go away by itself, or it may be chronic and progressive.
• Tuberculosis (TB)  
  • A bacterial infection that usually infects the lungs. Other organs, such as the kidneys, spine, or brain may also be involved. TB is primarily spread from person to person in an airborne manner, such as when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Outpatient Pulmonary Services

Outpatient pulmonary services are available to those suffering from pulmonary conditions. With a physician referral, an appointment can be scheduled at Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital to be checked out by our pulmonary specialists.

During your appointment, our expert staff will perform a series of tests to help determine the best care plan to meet your individual needs.

All outpatient exams must be scheduled through Centralized Scheduling at 860.872.5150. All physician orders must be faxed to 860.474.1700 upon booking. Please ensure the patient is able to sign consent or are accompanied by a representative who is able to.

These tests include:

Arterial Blood Gas
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood as well your blood's pH balance. The sample is taken from an artery, not a vein, and healthcare providers typically order it in certain emergency situations.

Bronchoscopy
A procedure that uses a bronchoscope to examine the inside of the trachea, bronchi (air passages that lead to the lungs), and lungs. A bronchoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.

Pulmonary Function Testing
A pulmonary function test reveals how effectively the lungs are able to distribute oxygen to the rest of the body. The results of this test are used to diagnose associated pulmonary conditions and also to monitor whether a patient is responding to treatment. ECHN’s pulmonary test laboratory is located at Manchester Memorial Hospital.

Oxygen Saturation Studies
An oxygen saturation study measures the amount of oxygen entering the bloodstream. This study includes the pulse oximeter and an Arterial Blood Gas test (ABG Test), which measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood that can be indicative of a respiratory condition. Both of these tests can be performed at Manchester Memorial Hospital and Rockville General Hospital.

Sputum Induction
Sputum induction is a procedure used for patients who have trouble producing sputum spontaneously. The patient inhales nebulized hypertonic saline solution, which liquefies airway secretions, promotes coughing and allows expectoration of respiratory secretions.