SmartVest Blog

Hospital administrations are feeling the pressure to reduce readmissions of patients experiencing frequent exacerbations of their chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis or COPD.  Similarly, clinicians all over the country are challenged with finding the most effective treatment option to help patients so they can experience symptom relief and get back to living a healthy, active […]

Cystic fibrosis (CF), unlike chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchiectasis, is a genetic condition that affects more than 30,000 people in the United States.[1] According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, “People with CF have inherited two copies of the defective CF gene—one copy from each parent. Both parents must have at least one copy […]

For many of us, 2020 has been a challenging year. But as with any obstacle, people all over the country continue to persevere and work together to help those who may be at greater risk of complications due to the recent pandemic.  As we gear up for the New Year ahead, we wanted to share […]

When your patients experience a severe respiratory infection from a preexisting lung condition like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), providing them access to effective airway clearance therapy is vital to their comfort and relief. It’s also essential to the success of your hospital’s inpatient care program. At Electromed, our team helps physicians across the country […]

According to the American College of CHEST Physicians, one in every five patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will require rehospitalization within 30 days.[1] COPD exacerbations develop from a severe worsening of symptoms—typically a result of a respiratory infection—and can cause: Narrowing of Airways Mucus Build Up in Airways Swelling […]

As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide updates on recent breakthroughs in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s important to understand the factors that may put us, or someone we care for, at greater risk of respiratory illness. Having this knowledge will help in creating a personal prevention plan that protects […]

Though we may consider coughing a nuisance, it’s actually the body’s natural reflex to help protect us against airborne irritants that enter the lungs.1 But what happens when your cough is unable to clear mucus from the airways? When your lungs lose their ability to mobilize mucus, it leaves your body open to possible infection […]

Understanding the common causes of bronchiectasis and identifying its individual symptoms will empower you to find the best treatment plan for reducing respiratory infections, improving air flow, and preventing further damage to your airways.  To help you get familiar with this chronic lung condition and how it can affect your everyday life, here’s the answers […]

Are your patients coming to you with complaints of shortness of breath, chronic cough, or chest pain? Symptoms that look like COPD or asthma may actually be early signs of bronchiectasis, a serious lung disease that irreversibly damages a patient’s airways through recurring inflammation and infection.  To properly diagnose your patients with bronchiectasis, you’ll first […]

When a person’s airways are repeatedly damaged due to a chronic lung condition, the lungs slowly lose their ability to clear mucus. This leaves the body more susceptible to respiratory infections, resulting in a worsening of symptoms if not treated properly.   Chronic lung conditions like bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, better known […]