Which criteria for choosing a vest?

M

Mommafirst

Guest
I've tried to search old posts thinking I've seen this already, but I can't find anything...<br>
<br>
We go tomorrow to pick out and order the vest. Our RT gave me three brochures for the different companies and told me to decide. She won't give me a preference!! Since we will probably only get one for many many years to come approved by the insurance, I feel this is a really important decision!!! I *think* I understand how they differ, but I just don't know which criteria to base my decision on. Good customer service? Size and portability? Washability? Number of tubes? Fit?? The "ramp" feature or programability? There is so much to consider, and none that cover it all!! Any suggestions would be helpful from those that already have a vest.<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance!!!
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I've tried to search old posts thinking I've seen this already, but I can't find anything...<br>
<br>
We go tomorrow to pick out and order the vest. Our RT gave me three brochures for the different companies and told me to decide. She won't give me a preference!! Since we will probably only get one for many many years to come approved by the insurance, I feel this is a really important decision!!! I *think* I understand how they differ, but I just don't know which criteria to base my decision on. Good customer service? Size and portability? Washability? Number of tubes? Fit?? The "ramp" feature or programability? There is so much to consider, and none that cover it all!! Any suggestions would be helpful from those that already have a vest.<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance!!!
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
I've tried to search old posts thinking I've seen this already, but I can't find anything...<br>
<br>
We go tomorrow to pick out and order the vest. Our RT gave me three brochures for the different companies and told me to decide. She won't give me a preference!! Since we will probably only get one for many many years to come approved by the insurance, I feel this is a really important decision!!! I *think* I understand how they differ, but I just don't know which criteria to base my decision on. Good customer service? Size and portability? Washability? Number of tubes? Fit?? The "ramp" feature or programability? There is so much to consider, and none that cover it all!! Any suggestions would be helpful from those that already have a vest.<br>
<br>
Thanks in advance!!!
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
I would recommend reading about the differences from the man who invented the device..... Dr. Warwick

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/blogpost.cfm?threadid=18289&catid=1975">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...eadid=18289&catid=1975</a>
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
I would recommend reading about the differences from the man who invented the device..... Dr. Warwick

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/blogpost.cfm?threadid=18289&catid=1975">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...eadid=18289&catid=1975</a>
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
I would recommend reading about the differences from the man who invented the device..... Dr. Warwick

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/blogpost.cfm?threadid=18289&catid=1975">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...eadid=18289&catid=1975</a>
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.

Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.

Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.

Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.

Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.

Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.

Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/categories.cfm?catid=1975&flcache=4428310&entercat=y
">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...he=4428310&entercat=y
</a>
This is a link to the letter that Warwick sent me. It expalins HFCC more in depth.

Notice how he says that those who use triangle wave forms (inCourage Vest) cough up 22% more sputum than those who use sine wave forms (HillRom).

Don't forget - Warwick's patients live on average 10 years longer than the rest of the country. They have access to these new and imporved devices that Warwick creats and I think that contributes to longer life expectancy.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/categories.cfm?catid=1975&flcache=4428310&entercat=y
">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...he=4428310&entercat=y
</a>
This is a link to the letter that Warwick sent me. It expalins HFCC more in depth.

Notice how he says that those who use triangle wave forms (inCourage Vest) cough up 22% more sputum than those who use sine wave forms (HillRom).

Don't forget - Warwick's patients live on average 10 years longer than the rest of the country. They have access to these new and imporved devices that Warwick creats and I think that contributes to longer life expectancy.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.com/categories.cfm?catid=1975&flcache=4428310&entercat=y
">http://blogs.cysticfibrosis.co...he=4428310&entercat=y
</a>
This is a link to the letter that Warwick sent me. It expalins HFCC more in depth.

Notice how he says that those who use triangle wave forms (inCourage Vest) cough up 22% more sputum than those who use sine wave forms (HillRom).

Don't forget - Warwick's patients live on average 10 years longer than the rest of the country. They have access to these new and imporved devices that Warwick creats and I think that contributes to longer life expectancy.
 
A

AnD

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i>

We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.



Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.



Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.</end quote></div>


Nobody had even told me anyone else made one other than hillrom *sigh*. But I do like my 104 better than my (100+ lb "airplane engine") 102, that's for sure! lol!

My tubes pop off occasionally too, and I can promise you I am not jumping like a ninja LOL!- my manual says they they may need cleaned then <img src=""> .
 
A

AnD

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i>

We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.



Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.



Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.</end quote></div>


Nobody had even told me anyone else made one other than hillrom *sigh*. But I do like my 104 better than my (100+ lb "airplane engine") 102, that's for sure! lol!

My tubes pop off occasionally too, and I can promise you I am not jumping like a ninja LOL!- my manual says they they may need cleaned then <img src=""> .
 
A

AnD

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Ratatosk</b></i>

We've got the Hill Rom 104 Vest. Comes with a duffle bag for easy transport; however, one thing I really, really wish we'd have known prior to getting it was that we have to manually change the pressure and speed settings. Unlike the respitech one, in which you can punch in the settings and let it go. I have to increase/decrease the speed/pressure every 10 minues during ds's treatments. Not a big issue, but would've made life a little more convenient.



Someone mentioned hill rom is making a 105 that IS programmable, but haven't seen anything on their site yet.



Sometimes the tubes pop off, but it's usually because DS is trying to jump on our bed like a ninja.</end quote></div>


Nobody had even told me anyone else made one other than hillrom *sigh*. But I do like my 104 better than my (100+ lb "airplane engine") 102, that's for sure! lol!

My tubes pop off occasionally too, and I can promise you I am not jumping like a ninja LOL!- my manual says they they may need cleaned then <img src=""> .
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Thanks for the link to your blog, Amy. I have read the article, of course there are a few other articles espousing the benefits of the HillRom vest, in fact most of the articles out there regarding vests and HFCC are almost all done using the HillRom one. It is the industry standard it seems and the one our hospital used.<br>
<br>
Apparently the newest hillrom version (is it 105?) is completely programable and has the same "ramp" process that incourage uses. But it doesn't use the same wave formation. Which is tempting for me to try the respirtech, but our RT did mention that they are the newest company and they have the most limited amount of information and support right now. <br>
<br>
I really want to choose wisely, but the more I read the more torn I become.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Thanks for the link to your blog, Amy. I have read the article, of course there are a few other articles espousing the benefits of the HillRom vest, in fact most of the articles out there regarding vests and HFCC are almost all done using the HillRom one. It is the industry standard it seems and the one our hospital used.<br>
<br>
Apparently the newest hillrom version (is it 105?) is completely programable and has the same "ramp" process that incourage uses. But it doesn't use the same wave formation. Which is tempting for me to try the respirtech, but our RT did mention that they are the newest company and they have the most limited amount of information and support right now. <br>
<br>
I really want to choose wisely, but the more I read the more torn I become.
 
M

Mommafirst

Guest
Thanks for the link to your blog, Amy. I have read the article, of course there are a few other articles espousing the benefits of the HillRom vest, in fact most of the articles out there regarding vests and HFCC are almost all done using the HillRom one. It is the industry standard it seems and the one our hospital used.<br>
<br>
Apparently the newest hillrom version (is it 105?) is completely programable and has the same "ramp" process that incourage uses. But it doesn't use the same wave formation. Which is tempting for me to try the respirtech, but our RT did mention that they are the newest company and they have the most limited amount of information and support right now. <br>
<br>
I really want to choose wisely, but the more I read the more torn I become.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Mommafirst</b></i>
but our RT did mention that they are the newest company and they have the most limited amount of information and support right now.
.</end quote></div>

Limited amount of information about what? I don't see what more information is needed other than studies that have been done.

In terms of support - it's a fantastic company. When I got the machine, they came out to my house, explained it to me. They send me a survey every few weeks on what I like about the machine, what I don't, and how they can implement changes. They call me to remind me to replace filters (which I always forget to do)!

It's like the Hertz vs. Avis thing in my mind. Respirtech is Avis - they're the underdog and they try harder.

Plus their machine produces 22% more sputum than the HillRom machine. You only get 1 pair of lungs (or 2 if you get tx).... might as well treat them to the most effective machine on the market.

Good luck on your search.
 
N

NoExcuses

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Mommafirst</b></i>
but our RT did mention that they are the newest company and they have the most limited amount of information and support right now.
.</end quote></div>

Limited amount of information about what? I don't see what more information is needed other than studies that have been done.

In terms of support - it's a fantastic company. When I got the machine, they came out to my house, explained it to me. They send me a survey every few weeks on what I like about the machine, what I don't, and how they can implement changes. They call me to remind me to replace filters (which I always forget to do)!

It's like the Hertz vs. Avis thing in my mind. Respirtech is Avis - they're the underdog and they try harder.

Plus their machine produces 22% more sputum than the HillRom machine. You only get 1 pair of lungs (or 2 if you get tx).... might as well treat them to the most effective machine on the market.

Good luck on your search.
 
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