The SmartVest Blog | Bronchiectasis Treatment and Resources

Published: Jul 09, 2019

Treating Bronchiectasis: New Independent Study Finds SmartVest Improves Outcomes

SmartVest is the only respiratory vest on the market with published studies demonstrating improved outcomes in treating bronchiectasis. BMC Pulmonary Medicine, a peer-reviewed medical journal, recently published a first-of-its-kind, independent study, analyzing the effectiveness of high frequency chest wall oscillation therapy (HFCWO) via the SmartVest Airway Clearance System in treating patients living with bronchiectasis. Read […]

Published: Jul 05, 2019

What is Chest Physiotherapy?

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT) is an airway clearance technique that involves manually percussing the chest wall to help clear the lungs of mucus build up. Administered with the help of a caregiver or respiratory therapist, manual CPT is used for patients living with a chronic lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, where the lungs […]

Published: Jun 29, 2019

How Serious is Bronchiectasis?

Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition that can affect your quality of life. From frequent coughing and fatigue to recurring infections that require hospitalization, bronchiectasis can cause you to put your personal life on hold, making you miss life’s special moments, like a grandchild’s birthday or day out with the family. Because bronchiectasis remains an […]

Published: Jun 18, 2019

SmartVest Journey Part II: Getting Comfortable with Your SmartVest

In part one of the SmartVest Journey series, we went through the steps on how to order a SmartVest system. Next, we’ll go through the process of what happens after Electromed receives your SmartVest Airway Clearance System prescription. The first step to getting your respiratory vest is to speak with a Patient Care Team Member, […]

Published: May 18, 2019

SmartVest Journey Part I: Ordering a SmartVest Airway Clearance System

Is a chronic lung condition, like bronchiectasis, keeping you from living independently, spending time with your grandchildren, or doing the everyday activities you enjoy? Knowing how to talk to your doctor about your symptoms is the first step in your SmartVest journey so you can start feeling relief. In part one of this two-part series, […]

Published: May 10, 2019

Meet Your Electromed Team: Get to Know Steve Schickman, RRT

At Electromed, each member of our team works diligently to help individuals, like you, find support and compassion, as you take the first step in your SmartVest journey. Beginning a new treatment plan is both exciting and overwhelming. You’re likely ready to start enjoying relief from chronic cough, respiratory infections, and fatigue, but may have […]

Published: May 03, 2019

3 Signs of Bronchiectasis for Those Living with COPD

According to a 2018 article in Bronchiectasis News Today, approximately half of newly diagnosed bronchiectasis patients also have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).1 This statistic is likely to grow if bronchiectasis—an underdeveloped area of study—continues to go under-diagnosed in its early stages. Referred to as bronchiectasis-COPD overlap syndrome (BCOS),2 this type of comorbidity will affect […]

Published: Apr 12, 2019

5 Wellness Tips for Patients Living with COPD

When you’re living with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), protecting your lungs from infection is the first step to achieving a better quality of life. But because there are many types of COPD1, finding ways to manage your individual symptoms can be challenging. Living with COPD Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, […]

Published: Apr 02, 2019

Diagnosing Bronchiectasis: The Benefits of HRCT Scanning

In a previous blog post, we discussed the methods a prescriber may use to diagnose bronchiectasis (brong-kee-EK-tuh-sis), an irreversible chronic lung condition caused by abnormal widening of the airways of the lung. Left untreated, bronchiectasis may lead to exacerbations that require hospitalizations and multiple courses of antibiotics. The most common way to diagnose bronchiectasis is […]

Published: Mar 28, 2019

Treating Bronchiectasis: Finding the Best Approach to Managing Your Chronic Lung Condition

Because every patient with bronchiectasis is different, the symptoms experienced from a chronic lung condition can vary widely. For clinicians, this presents the challenge of choosing a bronchiectasis treatment that is most effective in allowing patients to live a healthier, fuller life—without the physical and financial stress of ongoing hospitalization and emergency room visits. Though […]