AffloVest® Fitting Guide
The AffloVest® comes in 7 different sizes, from XXS to XXL(18″ to 65+”). It is fit using two measurements. Measure the patient with arms at his or her side and in a standing position, if possible. Measure around the largest part of the chest and abdomen, while the patient breathes normally. Use the larger of the two measurements to determine the correct size. Then refer to the Body Measurement Guide (see below) to choose the best size vest. When fitting the patient with the vest, you will want to adjust the horizontal… Read More
CSA 101
When it comes to any medical condition, knowledge is the essential element of empowerment. Our patients have lives beyond their medical concerns. Great advice, emotional support and superior products and service are what they need to live life fully. Causes for Central Sleep Apnea include: Cheyne-Stokes Breathing Most commonly associated with heart failure and strokes. Drug-Induced Apnea Certain medications, such as opioids, can cause a disruption in breathing. High Altitude Periodic Breathing A change in oxygen at high altitudes can cause one to increase and decrease breathing rate. Treatment-Emergent CSA Some patients… Read More
Health & Good Sleep
At Frontier Home Medical, we place considerable value on sleep therapy because of the profound effects we know that it can have on patients’ health. When left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, atrial fibrillation (AFib), diabetes, depression, memory loss and motor vehicle accidents due to falling asleep at the wheel. We hear the feedback from patients regarding how much better they feel after beginning their therapy. One of the most common comments we hear is “CPAP changed my life.” Our experts work with patients every… Read More
NIV & Significant Outcomes
As a Registered Respiratory Therapist for over 20 years, 17 of those years being in-home care, I have personally set up many severe patients on Non-Invasive Ventilation; and what I see is the amazing positive impact on the patients’ quality of life. PATIENT IMPACT Let me tell you about the first woman whom I set up on NIV therapy. She had been struggling with COPD progression for years and had been admitted to the hospital four times in six months. Her quality of life was completely diminished, so much so that when… Read More
“Hey Doc, Why do I get so many Infections in my Lungs?” Solutions When a Patient Struggles to Breathe
For healthcare providers, it must be frustrating when you feel like you are running out of solutions for a patient who is having issues breathing. Airway clearance is the cornerstone of therapy aimed at minimizing the effects of airway obstruction, infection and inflammation. THE IMPACT OF HFCWO AffloVest® is a portable High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) vest. It is fully mobile and engineered to mimic anatomically-targeted chest physical therapy. It is an effective airway clearance therapy for improving bronchial drainage by mobilizing secretions. The AffloVest® has a programmable controller, 9 total… Read More
HST vs. PSG
Home sleep testing, or an HST, is a less expensive and more convenient method for the patient who is approved by most insurance companies. The testing equipment simply consists of a chest belt, finger probe and nasal cannula, making it more comfortable and less obtrusive—plus, the patient can complete the test in the comfort of his or her own home. Home sleep testing primarily tests for both obstructive and central sleep apnea. Many insurance companies require a home sleep test before they will approve further testing, like an in-lab study. PSGs (polysomnograms),… Read More
Breath-by-Breath Care
OUR NON-INVASIVE VENTILATION PROGRAM At Frontier Home Medical, our NIV program is built to be just that – a comprehensive therapy program. We provide equipment and expertise, but we go beyond that. Frontier focuses heavily on educating patients on respiratory impairment, therapy compliance and how home ventilation can improve our patients’ quality of life. Our goal is to hold ourselves to a higher standard of patient care. In doing so, we ensure every effort optimizes therapy quickly, maximizes benefit and lowers hospital readmissions. We achieve our goal through: On-going patient education Regularly… Read More
NIV & COPD
Home Non-Invasive Ventilation Use Following Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Publication: Respiratory Medicine Study Authors: Matos, P; Kampelmacher, MJ; Esquinas, AM Publisher: Science Direct In 2011, 166 COPD patients were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV). Half of the patients utilized the at-home therapy; the other half did not. Over the course of 6 months, these were the findings. “Results: Patients in the NPPV post discharge group demonstrated superior event-free survival compared to the no-NPPV post discharge group (х2 = 23.8, p <… Read More
NIV & ALS
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and Hypercapnia-Associated Symptoms in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Publication: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Study Authors: Dorst, J; Behrendt, G; Ludolph, AC. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; Country of Publication: Denmark “Objectives: During the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive weakness of respiratory muscles leads to chronic hypercapnia which causes various symptoms like sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, and depression. Non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) improves survival and quality of life, but little is known about its effect on these specific symptoms, in particular during the later course of disease. Our aim was to evaluate the… Read More
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