Smith Medical’s Drug-Free Acapella® Choice Vibratory PEP Therapy System Shown to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay by 1 1/2 Days for Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smiths Medical, a leading global medical device manufacturer, announced today that a study1 presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference shows the acapella® choice system can reduce hospital length of stay by one and a half days for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and results in an economic and social burden that is both substantial and increasing.2 In the United States, the estimated direct costs of COPD are $29.5 billion, with indirect costs contributing an additional $20.4 billion.3
The study revealed patients who were treated with positive expiratory therapy (PEP) and oscillatory positive expiratory therapy (OPEP) experienced a one and a one half day reduction in hospital length of stay, versus patients who did not receive these therapies. During the study, PEP and OPEP therapy were maintained with the acapella® choice vibratory PEP therapy system, with the oscillatory mechanism modified for use as a PEP treatment.