Hospital-Provider Company Network for Home Non-Invasive Ventilation: A Feasibility Pilot Study.

This study assessed the feasibility of implementing a hybrid hospital-provider company (PC) clinical pathway for patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) through the adaptation and follow-up of non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Over a 3-month period, a PC physiotherapist case manager oversaw the adaptation process, making adjustments as necessary, using remote monitoring and home visits. Outcome measures, including the number of patients enrolled, serious adverse events, hospitalizations, survival rates, professional time allocation, NIV adherence, nocturnal apnea-hypopnea, and oxygen saturation, Δ arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO), dyspnea, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), exercise tolerance, quality of life, physical activity, and patient satisfaction, were collected.

Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes in Fetal Growth Restriction and Small for Gestational Age.

Alterations in intrauterine fetal growth increase the risk of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes. In this retrospective study, we analyzed data of 906 pregnancies collected in our maternal fetal medicine center, with different patterns of growth: 655 AGA (Appropriate for Gestational Age), 62 SGA (Small for Gestational Age: fetuses born with a weight less than 10° centile, not diagnosed before delivery), 189 FGR (Fetal Growth Restriction, classified in early and late according to gestational week at diagnosis). For each group, we compared maternal characteristics, gestational age at delivery, and perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Use of inhaled devices during a hospital exacerbation of COPD: a summary of an interdisciplinary audit held at ICS Maugeri Pavia, Italy (March-June 2019).

To date treatment protocols in Respiratory and or Internal departments across Italy for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at hospital admission with relapse due to exacerbation do not find adequate support in current guidelines. Here we describe the results of a recent clinical audit, including a systematic review of practices reported in literature and an open discussion comparing these to current real-life procedures. The process was dived into two 8-hour-audits 3 months apart in order to allow work on the field in between meeting and involved 13 participants (3 nurses, 1 physiotherapist, 2 internists and 7 pulmonologists).

Tele-assistance in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: long term activity and costs.

Purpose: To describe i) nurse's utilisation and associated costs during 4-year tele-assistance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) ii) optimal time for initiating tele-assistance.

Method: 73 ALS patients after hospital discharge were followed up on voice by phone calls conducted by a nurse through a clinical card which was tested for feasibility, efficacy and utility. Number of patients simultaneously assisted/month, calls/patient, fixed and variable costs were calculated.

Lung function and disability in neuromuscular patients at first admission to a respiratory clinic.

Background: Respiratory failure is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD). Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is considered highly effective for treating chronic respiratory failure. Perception and knowledge of risks associated with respiratory derangements may be underestimated.

Tele-assistance in chronic respiratory failure: patients' characterization and staff workload of 5-year activity.

Background: The issue of how to optimize the routine use of tele-assistance (TA) in the clinical care remains to be addressed. Skills and costs of human resources represent the major component to care for chronic patients with TA.

Methods: We investigated (1) the change in patient population, mortality, and staff utilization/cost during the first 5-year activity of a TA program (24-h availability of a call center, pulse oxygen device, and second medical opinion) dedicated to chronic respiratory failure patients and (2) the staff time dedicated to each new patient admitted to the service.

A pilot trial of telemedicine-assisted, integrated care for patients with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their caregivers.

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) need a care programme as the disease progresses. We used telemedicine-assisted integrated care (TAIC) in 40 patients with ALS, for a mean duration of 8.6 months (range 1-12).