Standard of Care
The Vest® Airway Clearance System has become a standard of care for airway clearance. After being cleared to market in 1988, The Vest® System initially gained wide acceptance as a treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Currently, over half of the CF patients in this country are using The Vest® System for their Airway Clearance Therapy needs. In addition, The Vest® System is used by thousands of patients who do not have CF, but whose disease or condition results in a need to remove retained secretions from their lungs.
Why do physicians and patients choose The Vest® System for Airway Clearance Therapy?
- Consistent, reliable therapy
- Evidence based
- Avoids barriers encountered with others airway clearance therapies
- Patient adherence and satisfaction
- Individual patient support and follow-up
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Adherence and outcomes monitoring
- Cost effectiveness
Why Airway Clearance Therapy?
Patients with airway clearance needs share a common problem: impaired airway clearance resulting from any one or a combination of the following pulmonary risk factors:- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Mucus plugging and atelectasis
- Secretion hyperproduction
- Abnormally thick, sticky secretions
- Ineffective cough
- Respiratory muscle weakness
- Increased risk for aspiration
- Immobility
- Restrictive lung disease
- Artificial airway
Therapy Adherence
Increased adherence to therapy also impacts overall healthcare costs. Patients who adhere to prescribed therapy experience the benefits of maintaining a clear airway, which can include fewer infections, decreased use of IV antibiotics, and fewer hospitalizations.
Research shows that patient satisfaction and quality of life are linked to patient adherence to Airway Clearance Therapy. The Vest® System offers many advantages over other airway clearance therapies that contribute to patient satisfaction and ultimately to improved adherence:
- Simultaneous treatment of all lung fields results in shorter treatment times.
- No positioning, breathing techniques or special caregiver skills are required.
- Aerosol therapies may be administered during The Vest® System therapy.
- Individual patient follow-up and support is provided by Advanced Respiratory, a Hill-Rom company, healthcare professionals.
- No caregiver is required by many users; disabled users may require minimal assistance.