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used to encompass a broader definition of remote healthcare
that does not always involve clinical services. Videoconferencing,
transmission of still images, e-health including patient
portals, remote monitoring of vital signs, continuing medical
education and nursing call centers are all considered part of
telemedicine and telehealth.”
Remote care and telemedicine provide care in cases where
a patient is miles away from a health care facility. In many
instances, patients don’t have a way of getting to the facility
for immediate help. Instead of a nurse traveling the distance
to help the patient when they are in need, telemedicine and
Delta Technology Res-Q-Air Waterproof
Sports/Emergency Oxygen System
remote care can enable the patient to get the help they need
through the use of monitors and step-by-step direction. Telemedicine
and telehealth allow health care providers to, on a
daily basis, monitor the patient and make real-time decisions
with regards to the care of their patient. Remote monitoring of
ventilators, for instance, can lead to stable symptom management,
improved healthy behaviors, and follow-through with
treatments.
By providing telemedicine, more respiratory patients will
be able to receive the help and education they need in order to
maintain healthier lifestyles while dealing with their disease.
A more thorough integration of telemedicine and remote
patient care for the future is not far on the horizon. In terms of
the future of respiratory therapy, many companies are striving
to create closed-loop ventilators – ventilators that will monitor
breathing and will respond automatically if a problem occurs.
It is believed that new developments will be made in the future
for long-term respiratory patients. “There is a greater demand
for products and people to continue to improve the quality of
life for long term ventilator patients in the home,” says Bill
Rosas of Midwest Biomedical Recourses.
Currently, the biggest challenges facing the respiratory industry
are finance and economic recovery. The demand for respiratory
products is very strong, yet the industry faces the issue
of how customers are going to pay for equipment. The economic
downturn has “made refurbished products more attractive to
buyers both in the domestic and international markets,” says
John Wittenberg of Inventory Solutions, Inc. He adds, “Buyers
are seeing that they can get excellent quality and warranties as
well as discounted prices from reputable resellers.”
Judy Engle, RRT/RCPT and owner of Frontier Medical
adds, “Every market is different, but the economy has slowed
down and put a hold on purchasing new equipment due mostly
to lack of budget.”
With advancements constantly being made in respiratory
technology, today’s new respiratory equipment can run anywhere
from $10,000 to $14,000. In the refurbished market,
equipment can be as much as 50% less expensive. John Wittenberg
says, “The main thing is that the refurbished equipment
industry is becoming more mature; people know they can
get really high quality equipment that comes with paperwork
indicating it will last. It changes the face of the industry.”
Inventory Solutions, Inc. specializes in the sale of refurbished
respiratory equipment like ventilators, Pulse Oximeters,
Sleep Products, Concentrators, Patient Monitors, Phototherapy,
Apnea Monitors and Liquid Oxygen. He adds, “We
don’t look at one particular product selling. If someone needs
something, we want to have it patient-ready and on the shelf in
order to get our product to them quickly.”
It seems that despite the downward turn of the economy,
the respiratory equipment sector is doing well. However, as a
result of Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement cutbacks and adjustments,
changes will occur. Ken Johnston told DOTmed,
“Right now, in home oxygen delivery, reimbursement systems
in Medicare/Medicaid are about $140 plus per month and $70
per month for portable oxygen.”
The LTV 1200 from CareFusion;
critical care anywhere
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