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Initiating home spirometry for children during the COVID-19 pandemic - A practical guide
C H Richardson1, N J Orr1, S L Ollosson1
1Dept. Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated home spirometry for children with chronic respiratory conditions. This home monitoring approach is effective and likely permanent.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Digital Health
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote patient care strategies.
- Children with chronic respiratory conditions require ongoing monitoring.
- Hospital visits posed risks during the pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the implementation of a home spirometry service.
- To evaluate the feasibility and challenges of remote respiratory monitoring.
- To assess the adoption of telehealth in pediatric respiratory care.
Main Methods:
- Established a novel home spirometry service from inception.
- Utilized portable spirometers with online capabilities.
- Managed approximately 400 pediatric patients using the service.
Main Results:
- Successfully deployed home spirometry for a significant pediatric cohort.
- Addressed and overcame initial implementation challenges.
- Observed technological improvements in spirometry devices and software.
Conclusions:
- Home monitoring for pediatric respiratory conditions is a sustainable model.
- Telehealth and remote diagnostics are integral to modern pediatric respiratory care.
- The established home spirometry service demonstrates long-term viability.
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rapid escalation in use of home monitoring and video consultations in children with a variety of chronic respiratory conditions. Our department set up a home spirometry service from scratch once it became evident that we needed to keep patients away from hospital clinics whenever possible. We faced a number of challenges but now have around 400 children using home spirometers. There are a number of portable spirometers available, some with online platforms. The technology, particularly the software/apps interface, has been improved by the companies in response to issues that have arisen. We believe the use of home monitoring is here to stay.
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