Pulmonary:
Our general pulmonary clinic runs from Tuesday through Friday (8am-12 noon), patient care is provided by a team of board certified pulmonary physicians, fellows, a nurse practitioner, two nurse clinicians and a Lung Health Educator who teaches patients inhaler technique and provides counseling on smoking cessation. We treat a broad range of diseases including COPD, sarcoidosis, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease and infectious pulmonary disease. We see a wide spectrum of disease presentation given the socioeconomic disadvantages that most of our patients are burdened with. We provide vaccination, assess oxygen needs, education on disease state, and perform rehabilitation intakes for candidates to join our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling (312) 864-7371.
Asthma:
Important Telephone Numbers:
Asthma Clinic: 312-864 6282, 312-864 6254
Fantus Clinic Call Center / Appointment Line: 312-864 6495
The population served in the Asthma Center is socially and economically disadvantaged by poverty, low literacy level, lack of health insurance, social stressors, and sub-optimal living conditions that are associated with high exposure to asthma triggers; the population at greatest risk in Chicago.
The asthma center functions as the clinic home for a large number of asthma patients who had exclusively used the emergency room for that purpose. All new patients receive a comprehensive medical evaluation with a focus on asthma management and a review of the features of adequate control of a patient's asthma. With the implementation of the Healthy Lungs Initiative (CCHHS program in collaboration with the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago) through our Lung Health Educators we are able to provide education on asthma, inhaler technique and counseling on smoking cessation. This is – particularly important since there is no "risk-free" level of second hand smoke exposure. We have documented a smoking cessation rate of 15%, above the expected by usual medical care.
The clinic days for Adult Asthma are Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Wednesday afternoons; clinics are staffed by four pulmonologist, two allergist, an occupational doctor interested in occupational asthma and a voluntary ED physician who is one of the founders of the clinic. We offer individualized teaching, allergy skin testing, and pulmonary function testing.
Illinois mirrors the national asthma problem and has one of the highest asthma mortality rates in the nation. Asthma deaths are highest in adults and higher in women than men.
- The annual cost of asthma is estimated at $30 billion dollars.
- In 2007 ~ 34 million people had asthma, when race/ethnicity is considered Puerto Ricans have the highest asthma prevalence rate.
- Current asthma prevalence is highest among Blacks (10.2 percent), followed by Whites (7.6 percent), and Hispanics (6.8 percent) including Puerto Ricans (14.1 percent) and Mexican/Mexican-American (5.8 percent).
- In 2007 asthma accounted for 1.1 million hospital outpatient visits and 1.6 million emergency room visits, the rate of visits was 350% higher for African Americans than for Caucasians.
- In Cook County 317,906 adults and 121,610 children have been diagnosed with asthma.
- Asthma hospitalization rate in Chicago is nearly double the national average.
- Age-adjusted asthma mortality in Chicago was nearly five times higher in non-Hispanic blacks than in non-Hispanic whites.
- Death rates from asthma are particularly high for African Americans and Hispanics (4 out of 6 times higher than for whites), and are concentrated in urban areas, including Chicago.
Our goal in the Asthma Center is to empower people to take control of their asthma and live healthier lives.
Asthma Center is located in the second floor of Fantus Clinic (627 S. Winchester, Chicago), we treat an average of 55-75 patients per week, patients are referred from all over the city as well as suburban areas.
Sleep:
Patient with sleep disorders receive a comprehensive evaluation by a sleep specialist at one of our three sites (Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital, and Oak Forest Health Center). After evaluation at the Sleep Disorders Clinics, the patients are studied at the sleep laboratories. The majority of patients tested have complex sleep disorders and many have multiple sleep disorders, like severe sleep apnea, parasomnias and movement disorders. For patients with sleep apnea, the plans are forwarded to the durable medical equipment vendor, who then will follow up with the patient at our clinics to give detailed instruction on the use of the positive airway pressure device. We also actively monitor adherence with therapy to maximize benefit from treatment.
Sleep Clinic at Stroger: (312) 864-7371
Sleep Clinic at Provident: (312) 572-2900
Sleep Clinic at Oak Forest: (708) 633-4292
Sleep Laboratory: (312) 864-2910
Pulmonary Hypertention:
At the Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at Stroger we are committed to provide the best possible care for our patients. The aim of the clinic is to alleviate symptoms, improve survival and help our patients live active, productive lives understanding their disease and treatment options. We perform a complete pulmonary work up to properly classify patients by WHO group, and functional class. We work closely with our colleagues in the Cardiology Department who performume right heart catheterization as part of the evaluation before starting the appropriate treatment. We have been successful initiating patients in prostanoid therapies (IV, SC and inhaled) as well as endothelin receptor blockers (Bosentan and Ambrisentan) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors inhibitors (Sildenafil and Tadalafil). Many of these therapies are available through the Medication Assistance Program. We also enroll patients in Pulmonary Rehabilitation where they participate in support group meetings.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling (312) 864-7371.
Tuberculosis:
COMING SOON!!!
