Non-invasive ventilator modems: a qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the experience and views of patients, carers and health care providers on the use of modems in domiciliary non-invasive ventilation (NIV): a qualitative study
IRAS ID
207807
Contact name
Stephanie K Mansell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 21 days
Research summary
Home breathing machines (non-invasive ventilation (NIV)) is accepted as standard treatment for patients with respiratory failure(problems with their breathing), where their waste gas levels are too high on a long term basis. Patients receiving home breathing machines are monitored at outpatient appointments through blood tests and clinical assessment. One underutilised method of assessment is utilising the data stored by the patients’ breathing machine. The available data depends upon each manufacturer's system. Typically, estimated values are available for; breath size, breathing rate, pressures and how much patients have used the machine. Data are downloaded from secure data (SD) cards into software for clinicians to look at and analyse. Advances in technology means data can now be viewed daily with modem technology.
Modem technology was developed for use in Europe and the United States (US) where patients do not receive reimbursement for their care from their insurance companies unless they demonstrate they are using their breathing machine enough. It is unclear if modem technology is being widely utilised to look after patients in the UK or elsewhere, but anecdotally numbers appear small.
The potential benefits and/or challenges of using modems in home breathing machine services has yet to be established. Possible benefits may include; more appropriate timing/frequency of outpatient appointments, targeted admissions to hospital, more personalised and timely interventions by healthcare providers and earlier identification of problems. Challenges to using modems may include an increased workload and a possible sense of an invasion of privacy for patients
The aim of this study is to explore experiences and views of patients, their carers and health care providers on the addition of using modem technology to look after patients who use breathing machines at home. This study will achieve this through focus groups with staff and 1:1 interviews with patients and as appropriate their carers.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0427
Date of REC Opinion
9 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion