Connected Therapeutic Solution Aids Airway Clearance

A novel airway clearance therapy system combines high-frequency chest-wall oscillation (HFCWO) with wireless connectivity.

The VisiVest System is a wearable device that improves airway clearance by inflating and deflating rapidly, thus applying gentle pressure to the chest wall via HFCWO, which loosens and dislodges mucus from the bronchial walls, transporting it to larger bronchi, from where it can be cleared by coughing or suctioning. The system provides therapy adherence data via the VisiView Health Portal, a cloud-based system that automatically receives data from respiratory care devices in a patient's home to support informed decisions in patient care.

Wireless connectivity to the VisiView Portal is powered by the Qualcomm Life (San Diego, CA, USA) 2net Hub service, which enables highly secure, medical-grade connectivity and effortless user experience. The secure data is then presented on a user-friendly dashboard to facilitate data and trending data information, which is used to enhance communication between health care teams and patients, resulting in reduced risk of respiratory infections, hospitalizations, and medical costs. The VisiVest System is a product of Hill-Rom Holdings (Batesville, IN, USA).

“In healthcare, the ability to make decisions based on accurate, timely information is essential,” said Alton Shader, president of front line care at Hill-Rom. “The VisiVest System and Qualcomm Life's 2net connectivity solution bring care teams and patients closer, helping to better manage patients' illness and improve their quality of life.”

“What I like most about the VisiVest System is being able to see my patients' session data and trends,” said Tom Newton, a pulmonary therapist at Miller Children's Hospital (Long Beach, CA, USA). “Now I'm not just telling my patients the more adherent they are to their therapy, the higher their pulmonary function numbers are likely to be. We can actually look at their adherence score together and have a more comprehensive conversation about their numbers.”

Related Links:
Qualcomm Life
Hill-Rom