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.