SmartVest® makes life easier for the family of a 4-year-old with cystic fibrosis
 
In 2006, when Kayla C. turned 2 years old, her Pulmonologist prescribed an airway clearance vest for her use at home. Kayla was born with Cystic Fibrosis and her parents had been administering Chest Physiotherapy (CPT or rapid chest percussion) at least twice a day to help remove retained secretions from her lungs.
Kayla’s mom, Jamie, said her doctor gave them options for different vests they could choose; however, Jamie observed “he does a lot of research and he recommended the SmartVest®.” The family compared the options and agreed. “We chose the SmartVest® because it has just one hose instead of two,” says Jamie. “We decided it would probably not get in her way as much.”
The SmartVest® was delivered to their home and an RT Trainer sent by the manufacturer helped fit the SmartVest® properly on Kayla and instructed her parents in its use. “She didn’t like it at first,” says Jamie. “It was jerky and it made noise, but it didn’t take long for her to get used to it.”  Within a few months, Kayla achieved the recommended frequency.   
Kayla C.
 
“We have adapters for the car and we can use it right in the car. We get some strange looks, but we can go wherever we want to go. It makes my life easier.”
 
— Mother of
Kayla C.

 
Kayla C.
 
Kayla enjoys a day at the beach

Kayla uses the SmartVest® twice a day for 25-30 minutes per session. The treatment time and frequency are pre-set with a programmable generator. “That’s her time to watch TV,” Jamie explained. SmartVest® makes treatment time a pleasant experience by allowing Kayla to pick a video of her choice. “Her favorite is Scooby Doo. And when the SmartVest® is done, the TV is turned off.”

Jamie says using the SmartVest® is much better than when she and her husband used to administer CPT. “You can only do manual chest percussion on one side at a time,” she explained. With the SmartVest® the machine administers air pulses on all sides at the same time. “I’m sure it’s a lot more accurate than when I do it.”

The family also appreciates that the SmartVest® is portable. “If we’re going somewhere we can take it with us,” she says. “We have adapters for the car and we can use it right in the car. We get some strange looks, but we can go wherever we want to go. It makes my life easier.”