A new specialist piece of equipment used to monitor lung conditions is enabling patients to be cared for in their own homes, thanks to charity funding.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity, Well Wishers, has bought a £3,000 portable Spirometer. A Spirometer is used to assess lung function and detect a range of respiratory conditions.
Kirsty Donaldson, ACP/Operations Lead, said: “Our team didn’t previously have a portable Spirometer. Having one means we can now take this vital piece of equipment out into the community, supporting patients in their own homes.
“Karen Dawkins, Community Respiratory Nurse Specialist, came up with the idea as she saw what other trusts were doing when attending national meetings.
“She was also instrumental in introducing Point of Care Testing, where patients can get a result in their own homes if they have an infection instead of coming to a clinic or hospital. This helps with antibiotic resistance as well.
““We wanted explore the use of portable digital technology with patients living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), by having a portable spirometry machine it will allow us to monitor disease progression by bringing care closer to home.
“COPD can be managed away from a hospital setting as the condition can be monitored by Nurses using a Spirometer. This then reduces the need for hospital beds.
“Patients then don’t need a hospital appointment or need to come on site. They can be seen in the community instead at different clinics or in their home.
“We really want to have all the tools we need to provide care in the community and this new equipment will help us do so.”
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it.
The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.
Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager at Walsall Healthcare, said: “One of the key priorities of the NHS is to strengthen and expand community care, so we were delighted to help out and fund this piece of equipment to help our staff have the most up-to-date equipment to be able to provide the best care possible.”