Pulmonary and respiratory care in Kansas City

HCA Midwest Health's lung specialists (pulmonologists) treat a wide range of breathing disorders in patients of all ages. Our respiratory therapists are certified or registered and licensed with the Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts or Kansas Board of Healing Arts. We offer comprehensive care through diagnosis, prevention and treatment of pulmonary conditions in an outpatient setting and for inpatients residing in our neonatal intensive care units, pediatric units or adult critical care units.

To find out more about our pulmonary care program, call us at (800) 386-9355.

Pulmonary conditions we treat

Our pulmonary doctors provide diagnostic screenings as well as comprehensive care and support for patients with various pulmonary and respiratory conditions, such as:

  • Asthma (narrowing and swelling of the airways)
  • Bronchiolitis (inflammation of the bronchioles)
  • Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes)
  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a pediatric breathing disorder causing the lungs to not develop normally)
  • Cardiopulmonary arrest (sudden loss of blood flow due to the heart not pumping correctly)
  • Cystic fibrosis (hereditary condition where mucus can clog the lungs and obstruct the pancreas)
  • Emphysema (lung condition causing shortness of breath)
  • Lung cancer
  • Pneumonia (inflammation of the air sacs)
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Wet lungs (inflammation of the lung tissue triggered by an immune response)

Lung cancer care

Our pulmonary oncologists are trained to treat severe lung and breathing conditions, including thoracic and lung cancer. A wide range of diagnostic services are available for patients with acute and chronic pulmonary diseases.

Lung cancer screenings

We specialize in lung cancer screenings and advanced care at our dedicated lung cancer clinics. Having dedicated facilities enables us to quickly diagnose and recommend treatment plans. We offer low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans to detect lung cancer at the earliest stage possible.

Diagnosing and treating lung conditions

We provide a variety of diagnostic services and treatments to identify lung conditions and form comprehensive care plans. We use advanced technologies and procedures, such as bronchoscopy and pulmonary functions test.

Pulmonary testing—what to expect

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is a 30- to 60-minute procedure that uses a flexible, long and thin scope with an attached light. This device lets doctors view the airways and lung passages to diagnose a condition or measure the effectiveness of treatment. Our doctors sometimes use a minimally invasive approach during bronchoscopy, where an advanced navigation system helps them to access hard-to-reach areas of the lungs. This is a crucial tool in diagnosing lung cancer and doubles as a method of retrieving lung tissue for a biopsy.

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT)

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an outpatient service to treat severe, persistent asthma. This procedure reduces the airway muscles responsible for bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airways). BT can decrease the frequency of asthma attacks and provide long-lasting benefits for adults with severe asthma.

BT treatment requires three outpatient visits, approximately three weeks apart. Each treatment targets a different area of the lungs. Sessions are performed under moderate sedation and take less than an hour to complete.

Benefits of BT

Many patients who complete BT treatment experience health benefits, including:

  • Decrease in severe asthma attacks
  • Fewer asthma-related emergency room (ER) visits
  • Fewer days lost from work, school and daily activities due to asthma
  • General improvement in asthma-related quality of life

To undergo BT treatment, you must be:

  • An adult between 18 and 65 years old
  • A non-smoker for at least the past year
  • A patient with severe or persistent asthma that is not well controlled by traditional medications

Pulmonary function tests (PFT)

Pulmonary function tests determine how much air you breathe out and how long it takes to empty your lungs. These tests help doctors diagnose lung conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The same test may be repeated after a breathing treatment.

Pulmonary exercise stress tests

A pulmonary stress test determines how effective your lungs, heart and muscles function during exercise. This is usually done on a treadmill or stationary bike. Before the stress test, a pulmonary function exam may be done to measure the amount of air you breathe in and out while at rest.

Pulse oximetry

Pulse oximetry is a lung test used to determine the levels of oxygen in the blood. It is a noninvasive procedure that measures how efficiently oxygen is being carried throughout the body.

Spirometry

Spirometry is a medical test that evaluates how much air your breathe in, how much air your breathe out and how quickly the inhale/exhale process is completed. This test helps identify breathing patterns that may be helpful in diagnosing conditions, such as COPD and asthma.

Pediatric pulmonary services

Centerpoint Medical Center now offers pediatric pulmonary care for pediatric patients who are at least 5 years old. In addition to next-day service for the treatment of spirometry and airway resistance, we treat pulmonary conditions that are common in children, such as:

  • Asthma
  • Children's interstitial lung disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
For more information about our pediatric pulmonary services, call (816) 836-6686.