Vest comparison

[Gusto]

Dear friends,

We need to buy a vest for a 2 years old and we try to choose between:

- Smart Vest
- Hillrom
- Respirtech

Pricing is in the about same range (best offer at $8,000) but we would appreciate a lot any feedback from current users of this devices. Also important is their attitude (service) if/when the device breaks down.

WHich one shall we choose?

 

[Gusto]

Dear friends,

We need to buy a vest for a 2 years old and we try to choose between:

- Smart Vest
- Hillrom
- Respirtech

Pricing is in the about same range (best offer at $8,000) but we would appreciate a lot any feedback from current users of this devices. Also important is their attitude (service) if/when the device breaks down.

WHich one shall we choose?

 

[Gusto]

Dear friends,
<br />
<br />We need to buy a vest for a 2 years old and we try to choose between:
<br />
<br />- Smart Vest
<br />- Hillrom
<br />- Respirtech
<br />
<br />Pricing is in the about same range (best offer at $8,000) but we would appreciate a lot any feedback from current users of this devices. Also important is their attitude (service) if/when the device breaks down.
<br />
<br />WHich one shall we choose?

 

[mariahsmommy]

My daughter got her first vest when she was 16 months old. It was the Smart Vest and we used it for about a year. Now we have the Hill Rom and would never go back. She now can tolerate her treatments better and doesn't cry because it is uncomfortable.

Smart Vest:
Pros:
Less expensive than the Hill Rom. (16,000)
Customer service is excellent and will replace the wearable vest or hoses whenever needed.

Cons:
Don't work with your insurance as well as Hill Rom.
My daughter cried and would say, "oww boo boo." This was because it was hurting her mickey button.
Not covered by all state's medicaid.
Velcro on vest that wears out and gets sharp.
One hose that attaches in front of their lap so they can't really hold a toy in their lap.
When you wash the vest you have to take out the bladder inside of it that fills up with air. This one is so inconvenient to put back in because its velcro.
Vest is not soft on skin.

Hill Rom:
Pros:
Customer service is also excellent and will work more with your insurance provider and replace any needed supplies. Has been in business for 30 years.
Is covered by all state medicaid programs.
Snap closure vest in front with velcro on shoulders that isn't rough and only attaches to itself not other things.
One very important thing to me is convenience when you have to wash them. This one has snaps to put the bladder back inside of the vest and is awesome!
More compact, lightweight, and convenient traveling case.
Has two hoses that attach on their sides that aren't in the way, so the child can play with something in their lap. (Very important. )
Machine is smaller and more lightweight that can easily fit most places.
Vest is very soft to the skin and more color variety.
Oh also, you can get whats called a "skin" and it is like a huge sticker you can decorate the machine with, but you have to pay for this out of pocket.

Cons:
More expensive (18,000)

 

[mariahsmommy]

My daughter got her first vest when she was 16 months old. It was the Smart Vest and we used it for about a year. Now we have the Hill Rom and would never go back. She now can tolerate her treatments better and doesn't cry because it is uncomfortable.

Smart Vest:
Pros:
Less expensive than the Hill Rom. (16,000)
Customer service is excellent and will replace the wearable vest or hoses whenever needed.

Cons:
Don't work with your insurance as well as Hill Rom.
My daughter cried and would say, "oww boo boo." This was because it was hurting her mickey button.
Not covered by all state's medicaid.
Velcro on vest that wears out and gets sharp.
One hose that attaches in front of their lap so they can't really hold a toy in their lap.
When you wash the vest you have to take out the bladder inside of it that fills up with air. This one is so inconvenient to put back in because its velcro.
Vest is not soft on skin.

Hill Rom:
Pros:
Customer service is also excellent and will work more with your insurance provider and replace any needed supplies. Has been in business for 30 years.
Is covered by all state medicaid programs.
Snap closure vest in front with velcro on shoulders that isn't rough and only attaches to itself not other things.
One very important thing to me is convenience when you have to wash them. This one has snaps to put the bladder back inside of the vest and is awesome!
More compact, lightweight, and convenient traveling case.
Has two hoses that attach on their sides that aren't in the way, so the child can play with something in their lap. (Very important. )
Machine is smaller and more lightweight that can easily fit most places.
Vest is very soft to the skin and more color variety.
Oh also, you can get whats called a "skin" and it is like a huge sticker you can decorate the machine with, but you have to pay for this out of pocket.

Cons:
More expensive (18,000)

 

[mariahsmommy]

My daughter got her first vest when she was 16 months old. It was the Smart Vest and we used it for about a year. Now we have the Hill Rom and would never go back. She now can tolerate her treatments better and doesn't cry because it is uncomfortable.
<br />
<br />Smart Vest:
<br />Pros:
<br />Less expensive than the Hill Rom. (16,000)
<br />Customer service is excellent and will replace the wearable vest or hoses whenever needed.
<br />
<br />Cons:
<br />Don't work with your insurance as well as Hill Rom.
<br />My daughter cried and would say, "oww boo boo." This was because it was hurting her mickey button.
<br />Not covered by all state's medicaid.
<br />Velcro on vest that wears out and gets sharp.
<br />One hose that attaches in front of their lap so they can't really hold a toy in their lap.
<br />When you wash the vest you have to take out the bladder inside of it that fills up with air. This one is so inconvenient to put back in because its velcro.
<br />Vest is not soft on skin.
<br />
<br />Hill Rom:
<br />Pros:
<br />Customer service is also excellent and will work more with your insurance provider and replace any needed supplies. Has been in business for 30 years.
<br />Is covered by all state medicaid programs.
<br />Snap closure vest in front with velcro on shoulders that isn't rough and only attaches to itself not other things.
<br />One very important thing to me is convenience when you have to wash them. This one has snaps to put the bladder back inside of the vest and is awesome!
<br />More compact, lightweight, and convenient traveling case.
<br />Has two hoses that attach on their sides that aren't in the way, so the child can play with something in their lap. (Very important. )
<br />Machine is smaller and more lightweight that can easily fit most places.
<br />Vest is very soft to the skin and more color variety.
<br />Oh also, you can get whats called a "skin" and it is like a huge sticker you can decorate the machine with, but you have to pay for this out of pocket.
<br />
<br />Cons:
<br />More expensive (18,000)

 

[Gusto]

Dear Felicia,

Thank you

 

[Gusto]

Dear Felicia,

Thank you

 

[Gusto]

Dear Felicia,
<br />
<br />Thank you

 

[pipersmom]

We have the Respirtech InCourage, and I would recommend it highly. Previously we had a Hill-Rom, I was not impressed with the durability of the hoses, and the fact that the hoses popped off the machine pretty frequently. The customer service was wonderful, they were very responsive, but I don't think you should have to replace hoses every 3-6 months.

What I love about the InCourage is that is completely programmable, and you do not have to re-program it with every use. You can also save more than one program profile. You just push the button and go. You can also pause it mid-cycle without having to re-start it all over again, and it has built in pauses every 5 minutes for coughing. (These can be deprogrammed!) The only thing I wish is that the vest was washable. That said, Piper doesn't eat in it, etc, it really doesn't get "dirty" per se. I have used bleach wipes to wipe it down, and that worked fine. They also send filter replacements and fuses, and show you how to replace them, so if something does happen, you have it covered. My understanding is that their customer service is wonderful as well, but I haven't had to use it in the over year and a half we've had it! They've totally made me a convert.

 

[pipersmom]

We have the Respirtech InCourage, and I would recommend it highly. Previously we had a Hill-Rom, I was not impressed with the durability of the hoses, and the fact that the hoses popped off the machine pretty frequently. The customer service was wonderful, they were very responsive, but I don't think you should have to replace hoses every 3-6 months.

What I love about the InCourage is that is completely programmable, and you do not have to re-program it with every use. You can also save more than one program profile. You just push the button and go. You can also pause it mid-cycle without having to re-start it all over again, and it has built in pauses every 5 minutes for coughing. (These can be deprogrammed!) The only thing I wish is that the vest was washable. That said, Piper doesn't eat in it, etc, it really doesn't get "dirty" per se. I have used bleach wipes to wipe it down, and that worked fine. They also send filter replacements and fuses, and show you how to replace them, so if something does happen, you have it covered. My understanding is that their customer service is wonderful as well, but I haven't had to use it in the over year and a half we've had it! They've totally made me a convert.

 

[pipersmom]

We have the Respirtech InCourage, and I would recommend it highly. Previously we had a Hill-Rom, I was not impressed with the durability of the hoses, and the fact that the hoses popped off the machine pretty frequently. The customer service was wonderful, they were very responsive, but I don't think you should have to replace hoses every 3-6 months.
<br />
<br />What I love about the InCourage is that is completely programmable, and you do not have to re-program it with every use. You can also save more than one program profile. You just push the button and go. You can also pause it mid-cycle without having to re-start it all over again, and it has built in pauses every 5 minutes for coughing. (These can be deprogrammed!) The only thing I wish is that the vest was washable. That said, Piper doesn't eat in it, etc, it really doesn't get "dirty" per se. I have used bleach wipes to wipe it down, and that worked fine. They also send filter replacements and fuses, and show you how to replace them, so if something does happen, you have it covered. My understanding is that their customer service is wonderful as well, but I haven't had to use it in the over year and a half we've had it! They've totally made me a convert.

 

[mariahsmommy]

The Hill Rom hoses can pop off, but I have found if you tighten them well it helps. It also has different programs for to alternate pressure and frequency. The machine model we have can also has a built in cough feature and can be stopped and restarted without affecting the cycle.

 

[mariahsmommy]

The Hill Rom hoses can pop off, but I have found if you tighten them well it helps. It also has different programs for to alternate pressure and frequency. The machine model we have can also has a built in cough feature and can be stopped and restarted without affecting the cycle.

 

[mariahsmommy]

The Hill Rom hoses can pop off, but I have found if you tighten them well it helps. It also has different programs for to alternate pressure and frequency. The machine model we have can also has a built in cough feature and can be stopped and restarted without affecting the cycle.

 

[pipersmom]

Felicia, I have not seen the newest Hill-Rom model. The InCourage tubes actually clamp on, which I love. We used a Hill-Rom for 6 yrs, believe me when I say I couldn't have gotten those hoses in any tighter, lol. They also had a tendency to crack on the accordian parts near the ends, not sure if anyone else has experienced that. For prob the first 3 yrs, we had few problems, but the last 3 were a different story, I really felt the quality had gone downhill.

When we had the Hill-Rom, you had to poke in the hertz & minutes(if you were changing them) each time you used it, this may have changed. It didn't have a cough feature at all that I know of/can remember. Once you program the InCourage, it stays programmed, you hit a button to start it, and it's done. It also uses a different type of waveform, which is one of the things that drew us to it, I forgot to mention that in my other post.

 

[pipersmom]

Felicia, I have not seen the newest Hill-Rom model. The InCourage tubes actually clamp on, which I love. We used a Hill-Rom for 6 yrs, believe me when I say I couldn't have gotten those hoses in any tighter, lol. They also had a tendency to crack on the accordian parts near the ends, not sure if anyone else has experienced that. For prob the first 3 yrs, we had few problems, but the last 3 were a different story, I really felt the quality had gone downhill.

When we had the Hill-Rom, you had to poke in the hertz & minutes(if you were changing them) each time you used it, this may have changed. It didn't have a cough feature at all that I know of/can remember. Once you program the InCourage, it stays programmed, you hit a button to start it, and it's done. It also uses a different type of waveform, which is one of the things that drew us to it, I forgot to mention that in my other post.

 

[pipersmom]

Felicia, I have not seen the newest Hill-Rom model. The InCourage tubes actually clamp on, which I love. We used a Hill-Rom for 6 yrs, believe me when I say I couldn't have gotten those hoses in any tighter, lol. They also had a tendency to crack on the accordian parts near the ends, not sure if anyone else has experienced that. For prob the first 3 yrs, we had few problems, but the last 3 were a different story, I really felt the quality had gone downhill.
<br />
<br />When we had the Hill-Rom, you had to poke in the hertz & minutes(if you were changing them) each time you used it, this may have changed. It didn't have a cough feature at all that I know of/can remember. Once you program the InCourage, it stays programmed, you hit a button to start it, and it's done. It also uses a different type of waveform, which is one of the things that drew us to it, I forgot to mention that in my other post.

 

[mariahsmommy]

I bet the clamp on hoses are nice. Aren't you just so glad we have options other than doing the manual CPT? It has really changed my life! I love having a vest for my daughter.

 

[mariahsmommy]

I bet the clamp on hoses are nice. Aren't you just so glad we have options other than doing the manual CPT? It has really changed my life! I love having a vest for my daughter.