Pulmonary & Respiratory Program

Pulmonary and respiratory care for kids who need it most

The pediatric pulmonology and respiratory medicine program at Children’s Minnesota gives children the breath of life — literally. We help children with chronic and acute lung problems breathe easier using the newest, most effective treatments. We’re there with them every step of the way. We are not only accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, but we are part of the Therapeutic Development Network (TDN) which means that our patients have access to advanced drug therapies through participation in clinical trials. While we’re proud of these accomplishments, what really makes us stand out is the personal connection we have with each of our patients and their families. Managing chronic diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis means we see our patients regularly to make sure they’re doing well. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Complete respiratory care

By collaborating with Children’s Respiratory & Critical Care Specialists, we offer a variety of services for children with both acute and chronic breathing problems. The doctors have all completed additional years of specialized training in pulmonary medicine after mastering medical school and completing a residency in pediatrics. That’s dedication, and that’s exactly what you can expect from the team. Every day. Every visit. Our services fall into three main categories:

• Diagnostic services. Some tests are done in the hospital or at our clinics. For example, pulmonary function testing lets us know how well the lungs are working. At Children’s, we go the extra mile. That’s why we follow patients with in-home diagnostics, including apnea monitors, pulse oximetry (ox) meters and telemedicine visits.
• Therapeutic services. When little lungs aren’t working, that’s a big problem. We help kids breathe better. Sometimes we help kids breathe, period. Oxygen therapy, noninvasive ventilation, artificial cough support and high frequency chest wall oscillation are just a few of the leading-edge treatments we offer. When patients leave the hospital, we offer home ventilation services as well. On any given day, we have more than 150 patients on home ventilation.
• Preventive services. We teach parents and kids how to continue their care in the comfort of their own home. For children with asthma, this may mean learning how to recognize the symptoms of an attack and how to use an inhaler properly.

There for you when you need us

Seventy percent of critically ill children’s conditions are primarily due to pulmonary complications. That’s why Children’s in collaboration with Children’s Respiratory & Critical Care Specialists, has a team of 20 critical care physicians, caring for kids when and where they most need our help. Once a child is out of critical care, we’re with him or her every step of the way, at Children’s Minnesota – Minneapolis, Children’s Minnesota – St. Paul, and at many clinics throughout the state. If you’ve ever been bounced around from doctor to doctor, you know how frustrating it can be. So we don’t do that. Every single child who goes through our pulmonology program is assigned a dedicated primary pulmonary clinician. This person, either a doctor or a nurse practitioner, holds the ultimate responsibility for that child’s respiratory care. At Children’s Minnesota, we’re committed to compassionate and effective care. So you can breathe easy, and your child can, too.