Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Services
The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine provides a wide variety of patient-related clinical services.
These are varied and an important part of the function of the division.
These include both in-patient and out-patient services.
In-Patient Clinical Services
The Medical Intensive Care Unit, directed by Dr. Carl Shanholtz, provides the highest level of care for the sickest patients on the medical service at University Hospital. This unit is a state-of-the-art facility that includes not only the intensive care area, but a step-down or intermediate unit as well. Diseases commonly treated in the MICU include sepsis, acute lung injury, oncologic emergencies, respiratory failure, and liver and renal failure.
In addition to state-of-the-art therapy, the MICU also has active clinical trials of new treatments into many of these disorders. The MICU receives patients from the local area, statewide, and from the Mid-Atlantic region. Physicians wishing to transfer patients to the MICU can do so through Maryland ExpressCare. Call 410-328-1234 or 1-800-373-4111.
The In-patient Consultation Service is an important function of the Division that provides consultation services to the rest of the adult medical and surgical services, including solid organ and bone marrow transplant services. In addition, the consultation services is responsible for managing the bronchoscopy service which performs diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopy as well as other clinical procedures.
Out-Patient Clinical Services
Sleep Disorders Center
This is a multidisciplinary center for the evaluation and management of sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, poor sleep habits, narcolepsy and many more.
View more information about the center.
To contact the Sleep Disorders Center center, please call 410-706-4771.
Lung Transplantation Service
The University of Maryland Medical Center's Lung Transplantation Program is nationally preeminent, with a tradition of excellence dating back to 1992 when it performed the first single lung transplant in Maryland. In 1995, the program performed the state's first bilateral lung transplant. Today, with a one-year survival rate of 75 percent -- well above the national average -- the program continues to gain international prominence.
Dr. E. James Britt, a dedicated clinical pulmonologist, is studying mechanisms of rejection, and Dorothy Eddington, the transplant coordinator, round out the core faculty of the lung transplant program.
View more information about the Lung Transplant Center, or please call 410-328-2864 to schedule an appointment.
Interstitial Lung Disease
Interstitial lung diseases lead to deposition of scar tissue within the lung as well as inflammation in the lung substance. This group of diseases includes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and interstitial pneumonitis. Some of these diseases are associated with other diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and similar diseases. Evaluation and Treatment involves physicians from many different specialties. The University of Maryland Interstitial Lung Disease Program includes the ILD Clinic, directed by Drs. Jeffrey Hasday and E. James Britt, and Dr. Jeffrey Galvin, a world-renowned expert in interstitial lung diseases, rheumatologists with special expertise in lung diseases, and dedicated pulmonary pathologists. The ILD takes an aggressive approach to arresting and reversing interstitial lung diseases based on close patient monitoring and frequent medication adjustment. The ILD and lung transplantation programs are closely coordinated ensuring that the transplant option is available to patients with ILD.
To arrange for an appointment, please call 410-328-8141.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
This terms refers to the smoking related diseases such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. These diseases which attack the airways of the lung and lung substance itself are common causes of shortness of breath, chronic coughing, pulmonary infections and need for frequent medical care. Modern day medicine has more to offer patients with COPD than ever before. In addition to traditional treatment with inhaled medicines and oxygen, we can now offer appropriate patients pulmonary rehabilitation, and in select cases lung volume reduction surgery and even lung transplantation.
To arrange for a consultation, please call 410-328-8141.
View educational videos about COPD in the Patient Information section.
Asthma Treatment Center
Asthma is a common and distressing disease leading to wheezing, shortness of breath and cough. Asthma is caused by inflammation of the airways of the lung. The many advances in asthma care mean that there are more treatment options than ever.
If you think you have asthma or would like a consultation, please call 410-328-8141.
Bronchoscopy
The Pulmonary and Critical Care Division runs one of the busiest bronchoscopy services in the area performing over 500 procedures each year. Patients with a wide range of disorders including interstitial lung disease, infectious lung disease and primary and metastatic cancer are referred to our center.
The following procedures are available:
- Transbronchial and Endobronchial forceps biopsy
- Transbronchial Needle Aspiration of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes
- Transbronchial Needle Aspiration of solitary pulmonary nodules
- CT-guided bronchoscopy
- Foreign body removal
- Hemoptysis management
- Endobronchial Brachytherapy
- Endobronchial Ultrasound Examination and Biopsy
Appointments
To make an appointment, please call 410-328-8141.
