Tom’s SmartVest Story
Tom, a retired Air Force Pilot, was prescribed the SmartVest System almost immediately after he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to assist in preventing lung infections.
With an overwhelming diagnosis of ALS, and new medical devices and therapies being introduced, Tom and his wife Helen were grateful for the home training and set up of the SmartVest. “This device was delivered to our house. The respiratory therapist they hired, who, by the way, was great, came to our house and helped us. No installation required and showed us what it was all about, how to program it, and walked us through how to use it.”
“It’s easy to use, there’s no question about it”
With Helen’s help, Tom complies with his therapy on a daily basis, which is typically late in the afternoon when they’re done with their daily activities and errand running. “It’s easy to use, there’s no question about it,” she said. In regard to the comfort of the garment, Helen says it’s easy to fit with the way it is designed. “They [Electromed] were careful to get his weight and height…when Electromed sent the vest initially; they made sure it was the right size to start with.”
“He’s not been in the hospital with pneumonia because we’re using this”
According to Helen, Tom has not had any hospitalizations while on the SmartVest. “We make the assumption he’s not been in the hospital with pneumonia because we’re using this,” she said. “We’re under the impression that this is preventative medicine. We have prevented him from getting pneumonia.”
