New data were presented at CHEST 2015 demonstrating that use of a wearable ventilator system in COPD patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency is associated with significant improvement in healthcare utilization and overall respiratory health status.
The data were presented of Duke University Medical Center and included an economic analysis led by Kevin Farberow, DHSc, MBA, SCIO Health Analytics® and Richard J. Morishige, M.S., R.R.T., R.A.C., of Clinical Research Consulting, Castro Valley, California.
“Patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency frequently suffer from exacerbations, resulting in increased physician office visits, time in the emergency room and hospital admissions,” said Neil MacIntyre, MD, FAARC, a leading pulmonologist affiliated with Respiratory Care Services at Duke University Medical Center. “The data analyzed in this study further reinforce current clinical evidence that wearable ventilator technology can improve healthcare utilization measures across a wide spectrum of parameters, help patients with chronic respiratory disease better manage their conditions and have the potential to significantly decrease healthcare expenditures.”
The study evaluated 16 stable oxygen-dependent patients with moderate to very severe COPD who were using a one-pound wearable Non-Invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV) System from Breathe Technologies of Irvine, Calif, as a complement to their standard medical care regimen.
A retrospective chart analysis was conducted for up to one year prior to intervention, capturing diagnosis and clinical characteristics, respiratory function, physician and emergency department visits, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) days and mechanical ventilation days. Mean health care utilization data and estimated cost reductions, pre- and post-NIOV, are summarized in table 1:
In addition to statistically significant health care utilization across four of five health care utilization measures (emergency room visits, hospital days, hospital ICU days and mechanical ventilations), researchers estimated total cost reductions across the study population of between 68% and 96%. Office visits were the only measure that did not achieve significant decreases in frequency or cost.
Additionally, results from two validated patient reported measures of respiratory status were collected. COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores improved significantly in the post-NIOV implementation period (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0001, respectively).
“Treating patients with COPD has significant clinical and economic ramifications for our entire healthcare system,” said Dr. Farberow. “The research results indicate there is an exciting opportunity for cost savings related to COPD, while also achieving more independent mobility for those suffering from chronic respiratory insufficiency.”
My husband suffers from scared lungs (we owned a funeral home and as he did the embalming for years the formaldehyde has left his lungs scared.) We are looking for some relief from having to wear oxygen 24/7 and also he is retaining fluid in his body. Any suggestions or help would greatly be appreciated. He is 71 years young with a lot of living left to do. We would certainly appreciate a referral to a pulmonary specialist that may be able to help. We are desperately seeking help.
Thank You
Unfortunately, this is a disabilitating disease process. As you may know the lungs do not repair themselves. He could have several bronchial lavages done by a pulmonologist but these are more for relief. He will qualifie for O2 when the time is right. He will have to desaturate below 88% on Room Air while ambulating. I think BIPAP would help at night and any crisis he may acutely have prior to any arrival of EMS or POV. He has a lot of life left, hope pulmonologist can help and make these suggestions.