The Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Rosai Hospital

Features

Respiratory diseases are diverse, ranging from infectious diseases to allergies and tumors. It is important to note that the respiratory system is susceptible to environmental factors due to its direct contact with the outside world, and many diseases are caused by occupational or environmental factors. Respiratory infections and acute respiratory failure often result in emergency hospitalization, and although there are seasonal variations, approximately 35 to 40 patients are admitted to the hospital, with an average length of stay of approximately 15 days. The primary characteristic of the Department of Respiratory Medicine is that all physicians make rounds to all hospitalized patients every morning from 8:00 a.m. Of course, conferences are held. Of course, conferences are held, but the morning rounds by the chief of the department give patients a sense of security and have the advantage of allowing all physicians to share patients’ conditions and complaints. Particular considerations in medical care include weekly joint conferences with the Department of Respiratory Surgery and Radiation Therapy to decide on a treatment plan for lung cancer, appropriate antimicrobial therapy for pneumonia, non-invasive ventilation for patients with acute respiratory failure, and home treatment (oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation) for patients with chronic respiratory failure, The following services are available: appropriate diagnosis and treatment of occupational respiratory diseases such as asbestos-related diseases, and utilization of social support such as physical disability and workers’ compensation insurance. As a workers’ compensation hospital, we have established an Asbestos Disease Center, and the Department of Respiratory Medicine is deeply involved in this center, along with the Health Assessment Department. Bronchoscopy is performed twice a week using an ultrasound bronchoscope, and CT-guided lung biopsy and bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis are performed by the Department of Radiology. In addition, as part of the promotion of team medicine, the Department of Respiratory Medicine works closely with the Department of Pharmacy (lung cancer chemotherapy, antimicrobial therapy, etc.), MSW, dietitians, rehabilitation medicine, and bacteriology laboratory, and also works as a palliative care team to treat patients. The Department of Respiratory Medicine handles approximately 50 outpatients per day, including those with chronic respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial pneumonia, lung cancer, sleep apnea syndrome (CPAP therapy), pneumoconiosis and asbestos lung, as well as those requesting a detailed examination for abnormal shadows on chest radiographs, asbestos-related tests and In addition, there is an increasing number of patients with persistent coughs that do not get better even after treatment. Treatment of prolonged cough is also a specialty of the Department. Outpatient smoking cessation services are provided in the Health Examination Department. In 2017, we presented “How benign asbestos pleural effusion progresses” at the Asian Pacific Respiratory Society, and in 2018 and 2019, we presented “Causes and risk factors of death in elderly patients hospitalized for pneumonia” at the European Respiratory Society, and “Occupational MPO-ANCA positive interstitial pneumonia due to dust inhalation” at the European Respiratory Society in 2018 and 2019. In addition, we are continuing research on “health effects of residents living near a former asbestos factory in Ota Ward, Tokyo. In relation to this, we are also continuing follow-up examinations of ward residents who lived near the plant. The hospital is a core facility for respiratory specialty training by the Japanese Respiratory Society, and an accredited facility for education by the Japanese Society of Respiratory Endoscopy.

Achievements in Medical Treatment

Number of major tests by fiscal year