Thompson Offering Increased Access to Pulmonary Patients
PULMONARY CARE
Just as Thompson Health began its path toward a “new normal” in late April, its new outpatient facility was preparing to open its doors.
A part of F.F. Thompson Hospital, the Marilyn Sands Outpatient Clinic opened May 4 at 395 West St.
It is on the ground floor of Thompson’s new, 12-bed Sands-Constellation Intensive Care Unit and is named in honor of longtime Canandaigua resident Marilyn Sands. Her late husband, Constellation Brands founder Marvin Sands, was the chairman of Thompson’s board for many years and the family has had continued involvement with the health system for decades. The Sands Family Foundation provided a lead gift for the capital campaign.
With nine exam and treatment rooms, the clinic offers pain management and gastroenterology services, as well as pulmonary services for patients suffering from chronic lung conditions such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) as well as pneumonia and pleural effusion (sometimes referred to as “water on the lungs”).
Approximately triple the size of its previous location on Thompson’s campus, the new pulmonary clinic is now able to see more patients, with shortened appointment wait times. In addition, Dr. Justin Weis said there is now increased access to pulmonary function testing, which will improve both the speed with which conditions are diagnosed and the subsequent interventions.
“This provides increasing continuity for patients with the need for follow-up from hospitalizations or ongoing management of chronic illness,” he said.
Dr. Weis, the medical director of both the ICU and Respiratory Medicine at Thompson, said the pulmonary clinic also qualifies patients for CPAP supplies, home oxygen and other home medical equipment. The clinic's physicians and nurse practitioner provide support to patients who are seeing regional specialists for a number of other conditions, including cardiac disease (heart failure), cancer, and rheumatologic or autoimmune disorders.
An associate professor of Clinical Medicine for the University of Rochester School of Medicine, Dr. Weis said the pulmonary clinic is bringing in trainees from medical school, residencies and fellowships.
“Interaction with these trainees will increase their exposure to the range of services available at Thompson and hopefully facilitate growth and recruitment to the area,” he noted.
For more information, visit www.ThompsonHealth.com/Pulmonary