Mercy Hospital Expands Respiratory Program to Improve COPD Management

Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital is expanding its Asthma Management Program to include patients living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of emergency department visits and hospital admissions nationwide. Supported through funding from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the enhanced bilingual outpatient program provides specialized education, self-management training and coordinated care designed to improve patients’ health outcomes and reduce preventable hospital visits and readmissions.

Patients may be referred to the program from Mercy Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), inpatient floors and units as part of the discharge process, the Family Care Center, and participating community providers and organizations. Through this expanded initiative, Mercy Hospital's will identify eligible patients, initiate evidence-based care and connect them with the hospital's comprehensive outpatient Asthma and COPD Self-Management Training Program.

“This expanded outpatient program strengthens the connection between hospital care, primary care and the community,” said Shan Ahmed, DO, chief medical officer at Mercy Hospital. “By making specialized respiratory education and ongoing self-management support available to patients from multiple points of referral, we can help them better understand their condition, recognize changes in their symptoms and take a more active role in their health.”

The expansion builds upon Mercy’s Asthma Management Program, which has helped patients gain the knowledge and resources needed to better control their asthma while reducing ED utilization and improving overall quality of life.

The program is led by Dr. Alphonso Quinones, director of respiratory therapy at Mercy Hospital, and Brenda Mabel Jurado, MBA, certified asthma educator. Together, they oversee Mercy Hospital’s comprehensive outpatient approach to asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease education and self-management.

"Living with a chronic respiratory disease can be overwhelming, but patients should never have to navigate it alone," said Alphonso Quinones. “By connecting patients with specialized outpatient education, support and practical resources, we can help them build the confidence and skills they need to take greater control of their health.”

To participate in the program:

• A referral from a health care provider is required.
• The patient must have a diagnosis of chronic obstructive lung disease. This umbrella term may include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Insurance is accepted; however, no patient will be turned away because of an inability to pay.

The initiative also focuses on educating physicians and clinical staff on best practices for identifying, treating and referring COPD patients for continued self-management support.

The expanded Asthma and COPD Outpatient Self-Management Training Program reflects Mercy Hospital's ongoing investment in preventive care and innovative population health initiatives that improve patient outcomes while reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. By integrating respiratory therapy, inpatient and emergency care, primary care, community referrals and outpatient education, the program helps patients receive compassionate and comprehensive support throughout their health care journey.

The bilingual outpatient program is offered at the hospital on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm.

For more information about Mercy Hospital's Asthma and COPD Self-Management Training Program and respiratory services, visit our website or call (516) 705-1530.