The Acute Pulmonary Unit is a 24-bed specialty inpatient unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital that provides specialized nursing care for adult patients with complications of chronic respiratory disease. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Interstitial lung disease
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
- Pre-transplant evaluation for lung transplant
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary emphysema
- Other diseases affecting the lungs
This type of specialized respiratory unit is a rarity in American medicine. Our treatment focuses on aggressive medical management by a multidisciplinary team, to move patients through the continuum of care to discharge. When acute inpatient care is no longer required, the APU discharges patients to the community – whether home, acute, or skilled nursing. Prior to discharge, patients receive comprehensive education regarding their illness to promote wellness, facilitate a smooth transition to outpatient care and improve the patient’s overall quality of life. Our team includes pulmonary and internal medicine physicians and a multidisciplinary team of nurses, respiratory therapists and case managers.