BCHS cardiac & pulmonary rehab patients travel up, up, and away

Battle Creek has a long history of international balloon competitions. Keeping that theme in mind, earlier this spring 65 cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients at Battle Creek Health System began their 'flights to fame' too. Their training did not include stretching nylon material or loading propane tanks into gondolas, but instead involved putting on tennis shoes, hiking up their workout gear, and 'walking' 'cycling,' 'stair climbing,' and 'rowing' their way around the world on the BCHS campus. Even though 18 of them logged in enough miles to 'finish,' all of them experienced a successful journey.

"The goal was to have our patients 'travel' the 23,180-mile circuit, the same distance as circling the globe in a hot air balloon," says Nathan Burns, exercise specialist at Battle Creek Health System. "Our patients weren't out sailing in the atmosphere per se, but they did receive credit for exercise they completed in the rehab exercise program. One hour of exercise computed to 400 miles of credit. The goal was to log in 23,000+ miles from last October through this spring. Our patients worked this challenge by using a wide variety of exercise equipment from treadmills and cycles to recumbent steppers and rowing machines. All told, more than 1.1 million miles were completed by our patients."

Participants were given a trip card each week on which they recorded their progress toward goal; the staff kept track on a large map so others could see the patients' headway. All of those who logged in the complete journey around the world had their names entered into a grand prize drawing.

This year's 'Around the World in 100 Days' challenge was supported by both the Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Centers, which are certified by The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The pulmonary program serves those who suffer from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and pulmonary fibrosis. The cardiac program helps individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD). Anyone who has undergone open-heart surgery or stent placement, has experience a heart attack, or has been diagnosed with stable angina (chest pain) is eligible for cardiac rehabilitation. The programs consist of educational classes as well as monitored exercise sessions.

This was the fifth year for a travel-incentive-themed activity. In the past, patients have walked to the Mackinac Bridge, cruised the Caribbean, and taken dogsleds on the Iditarod.

To learn more about the pulmonary program, call (269) 966-8438, or (269) 966-8199 for the cardiac program.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission. Battle Creek Health System, a member of the Mercy Cancer Network, is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

Battle Creek Health System challenged cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients to 'compete' in a 100-day exercise program recently to log more than 23,000 miles, the distance around the world, on the hospital's rehab exercise equipment. Darwin Wellington, center, was the winner of the challenge. Presenting him with the certificate as the grand prizewinner were (L-R) Nate Burns, EP; Kelley Reicherts, EP; Deborah Pierce, RRT; and Sarah Joslin, RRT. The 65 participants in this annual event logged more than one million miles of exercise.