8(th) International conference on management and rehabilitation of chronic respiratory failure: the long summaries – Part 3

Ambrosino, Nicolino; Casaburi, Richard; Chetta, Alfredo; Clini, Enrico; Donner, Claudio F.; Dreher, Michael; Goldstein, Roger; Jubran, Amal; Nici, Linda; Owen, Caroline A.; Rochester, Carolyn; Tobin, Martin J.; Vagheggini, Guido; Vitacca, Michele; ZuWallack, Richard

Patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency requiring home mechanical ventilation (HMV) have a high, although underestimated prevalence in Europe [4] . Home mechanical ventilation requires patient and family cooperation, nevertheless clinical conditions, technology needs, lack of professional supervision, and acute exacerbations make its management a difficult task [4, 83] . Provision and maintenance is often carried out by external companies, without any accepted standardisation, and a regular feedback to the clinical centres is usually lacking [84] . The need to reduce healthcare costs has prompted the development of telemedicine for home assistance [85] . However, only few controlled studies evaluating its effectiveness are available so far. Identification and selection of HMV patients who may benefit from such tele-monitoring approach represent key factors [86] . There are real challenges when providing HMV, including patient and caregiver training, adequacy of respiratory care, and reimbursement.