Home respiratory care in different countries.
Home respiratory care (provision of respiratory care services in patients' homes rather than in institutions or providers' offices) includes long-term oxygen therapy and home ventilatory assistance. I review the selection of patients, the role of physicians and other health care professionals, the types of equipment used, the administrative structures, and sources of payment or reimbursement in different countries. Because more has been published about home respiratory care in France and the United States, current practices in these two countries are reviewed in some detail; where available, information about long-term oxygen therapy and home ventilatory assistance in other countries is also included. As these and other modalities become more firmly established both scientifically and in clinical practice, and as technological advances continue to be introduced, home respiratory care will probably be made available to more patients, and in an increasing number of countries. Physicians, other health care workers, representatives of industry, administrative agencies, and those responsible for payment or reimbursement should work together to provide the best possible care of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency.
Pierson
D J
DJ
Respiratory Care Dept., Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington.
D005602:France; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010819:Physician's Role; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D014481:United States