South Shore Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Receives Certification for Highest Quality Patient Care

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Kristen Perfetuo
kperfetuo [at] southshorehealth.org
Three colleagues from South Shore Hospital's Pulmonary Rehab Team pose for a photo after receiving a program certification.
(L to R) Carolyn O'Rourke, RRT; Amy McGuinness, RRT; and Angelina Avitabile, EP.

South Shore Hospital, part of South Shore Health, is proud to announce the certification of its Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

This certification recognizes South Shore Hospital’s dedication to improving the quality of life for patients living with pulmonary and respiratory health challenges.

“The AACVPR is the industry leader in setting standards for pulmonary rehab care,” explained Carolyn O'Rourke, BS, RRT-NPS, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, South Shore Health. “Earning this certification validates our passion to deliver a superior patient experience and outcome.”

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help patients with health problems related to, affecting or occurring in the lungs, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and other chronic respiratory illnesses.

South Shore Health's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program combines therapeutic exercises with education to teach patients how to manage these conditions. The rehab team reviews respiratory medications and provides oxygen therapy.

Additionally, South Shore Health pulmonary rehab therapists work closely with pre and post-lung transplant patients, offering them specialized services to prepare for the transplant and to help recover successfully after the surgery.

Every three years, the AACVPR evaluates rehabilitation programs to ensure that patients receive the highest standards of care, which improves outcomes and long-term success. To earn this accreditation, South Shore Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program met essential criteria and participated in an extensive review of its practices.

Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors. 

“This accreditation is a testament to the high level of service and education we provide for our community respiratory patients,” added O'Rourke. “I am tremendously proud of our team as leaders in the pulmonary rehab field.”

Learn more about Pulmonary Rehabilitation at South Shore Health.