Orchard Hill Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, a Marquis Health Services member, has launched a new Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at the 134-bed skilled nursing facility in Towson. Dr. Mitchell Schwartz and his team at Pulmonary and Critical Care Associates of Baltimore (PCCAB) is overseeing the new initiative.

Orchard Hill’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program focuses on promoting independence and quality of life through reducing pulmonary symptoms and decreasing disability in acute and chronic lung patients, while increasing their participation in physical and social activities. Program features include onsite and full-time respiratory therapy, routine physician evaluations, physical and occupational therapy seven days per week (as ordered), 24-hour licensed nursing supervision, nurses and therapists trained in basic and advanced cardiac life support, and discharge planning with onsite follow-up by a nurse practitioner.

PCCAB is an established practice with 29 physicians, 17 physician assistants and nurse practitioners, along with a supporting staff of respiratory therapists, medical assistants and licensed sleep technologists. Dr. Schwartz is board certified in internal, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine; he is affiliated with St. Joseph Medical Center. 

Orchard Hill’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program focuses on clear communication among all involved parties – including patient, family/caregiver, hospital, practitioner, skilled nursing facility, home health and outpatient services. The program also tracks common metrics with root cause analysis, to minimize the progression of debilitating symptoms through a combination of exercise, breathing retrain