SCHEMES CLINICAL
The Case for Funding Airway Clearance
For managed-care and health-economics teams.
Rationale
Exacerbations and admissions are the main cost drivers in chronic respiratory disease. Interventions that reduce them can be cost-saving.
Evidence Signals
- A real-world matched cohort of 810 COPD patients showed lower 30-day exacerbation and hospitalisation rates with an OPEP device versus standard care (Burudpakdee, 2017).
- Adding an OPEP device to standard care reduced respiratory-related readmissions and costs in post-operative patients (real-world evidence, 2018).
- A systematic review and meta-analysis reported improved sputum clearance and symptom or quality-of-life outcomes with OPEP in COPD (2020).
What To Measure In A Pilot
Exacerbation and admission rates, adherence, spirometry trend and member-reported outcomes over 3-6 months.
Caveat
Evidence relates to the OPEP device class; a local pilot generates your own cost-outcome data.
[REVIEW NEEDED BY: actuarial and clinical-risk review before any cost-saving claim]
Next step Let us design a funded, monitored pilot cohort with clear outcome reporting. Health Brands SA - tshepo@therapyonthego.co.za.
Get AirPhysio® — R945 incl. 15% VAT
Drug-free airway clearance. Fulfilled by the official SA store.
This platform records measurements taken by your health practitioner and readings you self-report. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. AirPhysio® is a trademark of its manufacturer; claims are limited to airway clearance and lung-expansion support. Items requiring specialist confirmation are marked for review before external use.