title: Survey of use of the insufflator-exsufflator in patients with spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The insufflator-exsufflator has been shown to be effective in assisting cough in individuals with spinal cord injury. However, many institutions do not use this device. The study was performed to assess use of the device and attitudes among health care providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a questionnaire with 4 categories of questions: knowledge of the device, type of facility, clinical practice with the device, and patient and provider satisfaction. The questionnaire was mailed to members of the American Paraplegia Society.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six questionnaires (16%) were returned. The device was being used in 49% of the institutions. The device was most commonly used with a tracheostomy; use did not correlate with size or type of facility. Patient and provider satisfaction with the insufflator-exsufflator was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The insufflator-exsufflator is used as a means of removal of secretions in approximately one half of institutions polled. Satisfaction with the device is high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, H. H. McGuire VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23113, USA. Deborah.elder@va.gov
authors.forename: James K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stiens
authors.forename: Rose
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trincher
authors.forename: Mylam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Mehdii
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarkarati
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: Chester H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ho
mesh_terms: D003371:Cough / Q000503:physiopathology; D003625:Data Collection; D045853:Exhalation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology; D007327:Insufflation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013396:Suction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014139:Tracheostomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome