Fletcher Allen, a Vermont university hospital and medical center, serves all of
Vermont and the northern New York region. Located in Burlington, Fletcher Allen is a regional, academic healthcare center and teaching hospital in alliance with the University of Vermont.
Lung Health Referral Information
Pulmonary Medicine
The Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine service is staffed by fourteen attending physicians, six fellows, and a nurse practitioner. The service works with referring physicians accepting consultation and management of patients with chronic and acute respiratory problems, both inpatient and outpatient. Major areas of interest include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer evaluation, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis and other chronic diffuse interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary embolic disease, adult cystic fibrosis, occupational lung diseases, pleural diseases, tuberculosis and other chronic pulmonary infections. Critical Care Medicine is a specialized program area, including management of the Medical Intensive Care Unit and care of patients with acute medical problems requiring intensive care.
The Pulmonary Ambulatory Center in the Gartman Medicine Clinic on the Medical Center Campus provides evaluation and continuing care by pulmonary sub-specialists for the full range of outpatient pulmonary problems. To provide efficient and convenient assessment of our patients, a complete pulmonary function laboratory is part of the outpatient facility. Other services provided are flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, transbronchial lung biopsy, provocative inhalation challenge testing for asthma, home oxygen therapy, disability evaluations, thoracentesis, and pleural biopsy.
Special Programs
Bronchoscopy
Patients with a variety of radiographic abnormalities (infiltrates, masses, or atelectasis) or symptoms of dyspnea, hemoptysis, fever, or persistent cough may require bronchoscopic examination of the airways. If indicated, bronchoalveolar lavage, endobronchial, transbronchial or needle aspiration biopsy of abnormalities may be performed. Outpatient bronchoscopy, with or without fluoroscopic guidance, is performed at Fletcher Allen. This facility provides appropriate monitoring both during and after the procedure to allow for the use of conscious sedation.
Most patients are evaluated at the Pulmonary Ambulatory Center before the bronchoscopy. This allows appropriate pre-procedure assessment. Prior to the day of the procedure, all patients will be given information about bronchoscopy. Aspirin or other medications that may affect blood clotting should be discontinued 5-7 days before the procedure. Patients must not eat or drink the morning of the procedure, and should have a friend or family member transport them home since most patients will receive sedative medications.
Medical Intensive Care
The 21-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) located in the McClure building on Fletcher Allen’s Medical Center Campus accepts adult patients with life-threatening medical conditions. Common reasons for transfer include acute and chronic respiratory failure, shock, meningitis, severe pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome, coma, severe metabolic derangements, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic or renal failure, or ingestion of toxic agents. Care of patients admitted to the MICU is supervised around the clock by the attending physicians in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and by the fellows and residents who work with them. Ambulance or helicopter transfer of critically-ill patients to this unit can be made at any time by contacting the Provider Access Service at 1-800-639-2480. Ask for the physician covering the medical critical care service.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
An outpatient comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program is provided at regular intervals at the Medical Center Campus. This service is designed for the patient with chronic lung disease, particularly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The goals of the program are to help the patient achieve and maintain the maximum level of independence and function in the community. It includes an initial evaluation by a pulmonary physician followed by twice-weekly programmatic sessions for six weeks. Each session consists of an educational component and a supervised exercise program. Groups of six patients work on treadmills and stationary bicycles monitored by a nurse and a respiratory care practitioner. In order to participate, patients must be able to walk, and must not have evidence of ischemic heart disease on a stress test (performed as part of the initial evaluation).
Vermont Lung Center
The Vermont Lung Center was established in 1999 to provide state-of-the-art treatment for patients with asthma, COPD, and other pulmonary diseases through rigorous research and through education of patients and health care providers. The Vermont Lung Center’s multidisciplinary group of investigators is committed to performance excellence through quality patient care, positive and open communication, accurate data collection and reporting, fiscal responsibility, and the integration of research and teaching by a skilled scientific staff.
Telephone:
802-847-1158
Fax:
802-847-6961
Location:
Level 5, East Pavilion
Medical Center Campus
111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
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Service:
Bronchoscopy services
Telephone:
802-847-1158
Fax:
802-847-6961
Location:
Level 5, East Pavilion
Medical Center Campus
111 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm
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Outreach Program
Respiratory Care Services
Telephone:
802-524-5911
Location:
Northwestern Medical Center
Fairfield Street, St. Albans, VT 05478
Referral Information
This is information the Pulmonologist needs to provide the best care for your patient.
Questions and Issues For You to Consider When Referring Your Patients
1. Please ask the patient to bring his/her medications to the appointment.
2. Patient should not eat the morning of the procedure if being referred for Bronchoscopy. Aspirin and NSAIDs should be stopped 5-7 days prior to the appointment.
Medical/Surgical Information
Most Important
1. Name of Referring MD/Provider/ Phone / Fax
2. Reason for Referral and Expectations
3. Patient’s Expectations
4. Lung Biopsy Slides (if available)
5. Hard Copy Images-Original Chest Radiographs, CT Scans,
Other Images (Recent or Previous)
6. EKG (if available)
7. Pulmonary Function Tests (if available)
Please send the following information if possible. It is desirable, not essential.
1. Problem List
2. Medical / Surgical History
3. Medication / Allergy List
4. Most Recent Office Note Pertaining to the Referral
5. Previous Course of Treatment
6. Outside Consult Reports, if Pertinent
7. Operative Reports, if Pertinent
8. Procedure Reports, if Pertinent
9. Most Recent Lab Tests
10. Most Recent Imaging Reports
Patient Demographic Information
Name, Date of Birth, Address, Phone Number, Insurance Plan, Worker’s Compensation Information, if applicable.
