Helping our patients breathe better.

Pulmonologists provide expert consultation, diagnosis and care for illnesses and conditions that affect the respiratory system, including the lungs, airways, muscles surrounding the chest and diaphragm.

Our Pulmonology Services

Pulmonary diseases range from acute illnesses, such as infections, to chronic and more serious conditions like sleep disorders, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, occupational exposures, lung cancer and more.

Olathe Health’s pulmonologists provide evaluations and treatment, inpatient critical care and consultation for hospitalized patients, and prescribe and evaluate sleep studies and therapies. Diagnostic pulmonary procedures include bronchoscopy, lung function testing, determining how well the heart and lungs work together during exercise, or performing sleep studies.

NEW! Endobronchial Valve Treatment for Patients with Severe Emphysema

What is Emphysema?
Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that causes shortness of breath. It is a progressive condition that over time causes the air sacs in the lungs to become damaged. The inner walls of those air sacs weaken and burst, creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream. The main cause of emphysema is long-term exposure to airborne irritants, such as tobacco smoke, marijuana smoke, air pollution or chemical fumes and dust.

A New Treatment
For patients with severe emphysema, Olathe Medical Center offers an endobronchial valve treatment as a safe treatment option when medical management and pulmonary rehabilitation haven’t been effective. Olathe Medical Center is one of the first hospitals in the Kansas City area to offer this procedure.

This minimally invasive procedure is done using a flexible bronchoscope. Valves are placed in selected airways of the diseased lung using a catheter that goes down the bronchoscope. Once the valve is in the airway, it conforms to the airway and expands and contracts with breathing. The valve allows trapped air and fluid to flow past it, but blocks air from entering the diseased part of the lung. Air that is breathed in will be redirected away from the diseased lung to the healthier parts of the lung.

The procedure can improve a patient’s lung function, reduce shortness of breath and restore quality of life in those suffering from severe emphysema. It is being performed for Olathe Medical Center patients by pulmonologists, Drs. Dennis Lawlor and Vance Burns from Olathe Health Consultants in Pulmonary Medicine.

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

After a heart attack or other heart or lung surgery, many patients are prescribed cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation at Olathe Medical Center, designed to help patients with heart and lung patients return to productive lives. The program includes healthy lifestyle education, a closely monitored exercise program, diet and nutrition counseling, and plenty of encouragement and support.

Learn more about our Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program.

Sleep Disorders

Pulmonologists also care for patients who suffer from sleep disorders. If you or someone you care about experiences symptoms that affect the ability to drive, hold a job, stay alert in school, perform normal daily activities or if the symptoms interfere with social activities and personal relationships, it’s time to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. Learn more about the Sleep Disorders program at Olathe Health.

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