Pulmonary rehabilitation: is it cost effective?

The purpose of the study was to evaluate number of hospitalizations, length of stay, exercise routine, and patient satisfaction following attendance at a pulmonary rehabilitative program. A retrospective chart review and survey conducted on 72 subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed a significant decrease in number of hospitalizations and length of stay following attendance at the program. In addition, 72% of the subjects continued to carry out an exercise routine and 99% indicated that the rehabilitation program had met their expectations. This study suggests that the pulmonary rehabilitative program was cost-effective.