SRMC Debuts New Facility
Sonora, CA– Sonora Regional Medical Center debuted a new facility Wednesday that helps patients with heart failure and chronic lung disease live better lives.
With around 50 people in attendance, the open house at 19747 Greenley Road, showcased the new Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Heart Failure Resource Center. SRMC president and CEO, Jeff Eller says he’s excited about the new facility.
“It just means that we continue to broaden the services that we provide for Sonora and Tuolumne County,” he said. “We have a terrific staff with great skill that will provide a value added service to this community for patients. I’m very proud of the work that our team has done to develop these two new programs here at the Medical Center.”
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes exercise, education, medication and equipment education, such as how and when to take medications, and how to use oxygen. It also teaches breathing techniques.
Pulmonary Rehab Coordinator Michelle Crownover created the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program four years ago and says it is her passion.
“The program helps patients to improve their everyday life and keep them from being tethered to their homes,” said Crownover. “They are in control of their breathing, instead of the breathing being in control of them.”
The Heart Failure Resource Center provides specialized nursing care for patients with heart failure. An Advanced Practice Nurse works with the primary care physician to help minimize the need for hospital readmission. Patients will learn how to control heart failure through medical compliance, dietary and lifestyle changes.
SRMC Registered Nurse Julie Mena says that so far she has a list of a dozen patients enrolled at the Heart Failure Resource Center.
“People can have a good quality of life even though they have heart failure,” she said. “Throughout the nation Heart Failure Centers are popping up to try to help patients stay out of the hospital and feel better.”
