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| For years, patients with impaired
airway clearance had to rely on manual Chest Physiotherapy
(CPT) — a rigorous, time-consuming and often inconsistent
treatment technique. |
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What Is HFCWO? |
| High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) |
| Today, High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO),
also known as High Frequency Chest Compression (HFCC),
is commonly prescribed and widely practiced for patients
of all ages who are battling the consequences of retained
pulmonary secretions. Lung and bronchial mucus clearance
through High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation has been
studied since 1983, and the first human study was published
in 1989. Since then, in more than 50 studies, HFCWO
has consistently been shown to be a safe, effective,
and valuable tool in the treatment of retained pulmonary
secretions. In fact, the first cost comparison study,
published by BlueCross in 1994, detailed a 50% reduction
in total health care costs with HFCWO. |
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| How is HFCWO easier for the patient? |
| HFCWO induced airflows move pulmonary mucus upward
to be cleared without requiring burdensome repositioning(1). Repetitive
airflows shear secretions from the airway walls, thin
their viscosity, and mobilize them mouthward(2). HFCWO
is the only airway clearance method that is technique-independent and can be administered by either the patient
or caregiver, with no expertise required. Patients receive high-quality airway clearance treatment
while in any comfortable position. |
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| Benefits of HFCWO |
| Benefits
of a HFCWO treatment delivered by the SmartVest® and SmartVest
Wrap® include |
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Reduction
in lung infections, such as pneumonia (3,4) |
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Reduction
in hospitalizations (3,4) |
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Reduction
of expensive medications (3,4) |
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Cost
effective by reducing the secondary complications
associated with impaired mucus transport (3,4) |
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1- Chang
HK, Weber ME, King M. Mucus transport by high-frequency nonsymmetrical
oscillatory airflow. J Appl Physiol 1988; 65(3): 1203-1209.
2- Majaesic C, Montgomery M, Jones R, King M. Reduction in sputum viscosity using
high frequency chest compressions compared to conventional chest physiotherapy.
Pediatr Pulmonol 1996; Suppl 13: A358.
3 - Ohnsorg F. A Cost Analysis of High-Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation
in Cystic Fibrosis. AM J Respir and Crit Care Med 1994; 149(4):
A669.
4 - Plioplys AV, Lewis S, Kasnicka I. Pulmonary vest therapy in
pediatric long-term care. Journal of the American Medical Director’s
Association 2002 Sep-Oct; 3 (5): 318-321. |
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