Specialties: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer, chronic cough
Do you often find yourself coughing
persistently or gasping for air after just a few steps? Have you heard elders
say, “It’s normal to feel breathless as we age,” without realizing that this
might be a sign of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
These seemingly “minor ailments” of the
respiratory system, if not properly managed, can significantly affect quality
of life and lead to acute exacerbations, hospitalization, or even respiratory
failure. At Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (FEMH), the Pulmonary Medicine
Department provides patients with asthma and COPD with comprehensive, one-stop
integrated care, ranging from diagnosis, treatment, pulmonary rehabilitation,
home care to technological support — helping patients breathe with ease.
Asthma and COPD: Different Yet Equally
Important to Address
Asthma is a chronic allergic inflammatory
disease of the airways, often triggered by allergens, cold air, or exercise.
Symptoms include chest tightness, wheezing, and nighttime coughing, occurring
unpredictably and severely impacting sleep and daily activities.
COPD, on the other hand, is commonly seen in
individuals with a history of smoking or long-term exposure to air pollution
and dust. Patients often experience chronic coughing, phlegm production, and
shortness of breath, even with minimal physical activity. This disease
progresses slowly, is irreversible, and requires lifelong treatment.
A common issue with both diseases is that
they are easily overlooked. Many believe coughing or breathlessness is a
natural part of aging, seeking medical help only when symptoms worsen — often
missing the optimal treatment window. FEMH Pulmonary Medicine urges: if you
experience breathlessness when walking, persistent coughing for over two weeks,
or a noticeable increase in phlegm, seek medical evaluation promptly.
The Only Dual-Certified Department:
Professionalism and Dedication to Respiratory Health
FEMH Pulmonary Medicine is the only
department in the hospital certified in both asthma and COPD care, and one of
the few nationwide recognized with dual National Quality Labels.
This distinction reflects our commitment to every patient.
Our COPD Care Achievements:
- Highest
number of enrolled patients nationwide
- 96%
participation rate in pulmonary rehabilitation
- Over
94% smoking cessation success rate
- Steadily
decreasing emergency visits and hospitalization rates
- Awarded
the Joint Commission of Taiwan SNQ Quality Label
Our Asthma Care Outcomes:
- 94%
of patients achieve good asthma control within one year
- Oral
corticosteroid use reduced from 11% in 2019 to under 3% in 2024
- Over
90% accuracy in inhaler usage
- Since
2021, emergency or ICU admissions due to asthma are virtually zero
These results stem from our patient-centered,
dedicated care for every breath.
Comprehensive Respiratory Care: From
Technology to Daily Life
Multidisciplinary Team for Integrated Care
Our care team includes pulmonologists, respiratory
therapists, pharmacists, case managers, nutritionists, rehabilitation
specialists, and social workers — providing patients with continuous and
comprehensive support.
Precision Diagnostics for Informed
Treatment
Traditional asthma treatments often rely on
subjective symptoms. FEMH utilizes Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)
testing, accurately detecting airway inflammation. This allows physicians to
adjust treatment plans and medication dosages effectively, enhancing outcomes
and reducing emergency visits and hospitalizations.
Personalized Inhaler Instruction for
Visible Results
Many patients use inhalers incorrectly,
reducing treatment effectiveness. Our case managers provide personalized
inhaler guidance and feedback practice, ensuring patients master the correct
usage techniques.
Integrating Education into Daily Life for
Sustainable Management
For asthma and COPD, daily management is as
vital as medication. We help patients with environmental control, breathing
exercises, and smoking cessation. Through inhaler instruction and disease
education, we enhance patients’ self-care abilities, integrating respiratory
care into their daily routines for more stable breathing.
Safeguarding Breaths with AI: The Asthma
Voiceprint Breakthrough
FEMH, in collaboration with Asia Eastern
University of Science and Technology and Far EasTone Telecommunications, has
developed Taiwan’s first AI Asthma Voiceprint Analysis System. Patients
simply speak one sentence, and the system analyzes vocal amplitude, breath sounds,
and frequency characteristics to assess asthma control.
With over a thousand voice samples collected,
the system boasts over 90% accuracy and holds a national patent (M670227). This
technology is poised for use in remote healthcare and rural care management,
allowing for early detection of risks — achieving “know before you wheeze.”
Sustainability is Our Daily Practice
FEMH Pulmonary Medicine upholds the ESG
sustainability spirit, balancing medical quality with environmental
responsibility:
- Regular
community lung function screenings and smoking cessation programs
- Promoting
Shared Decision Making (SDM) to enhance patient participation
- Actively
advancing carbon footprint management and low-carbon prescriptions,
significantly reducing the use of high carbon-emission medications
We believe respiratory health is not just a
personal matter but a shared responsibility for society and the environment.
Making the air cleaner and every breath more meaningful is our ongoing mission.
Every Breath is a Step Closer: Where
Technology, Care, and Companionship Meet
Although asthma and COPD cannot be cured, with
a professional team and comprehensive care, symptoms can be effectively
controlled, allowing patients to return to their daily lives.
If breathlessness troubles you, visit FEMH
Pulmonary Medicine. Let us walk with you — from struggling to breathe to
breathing with ease every day.
Every breath, we help you hold; every
path, we walk with you.