New patient-centric solution for the management of chronic respiratory insufficiency diseases

Launching on World COPD Day 2012 and being showcased this week at Medica 2012, the world's largest medical trade fair, the BiPAP A40 improves the management of chronic respiratory diseases by offering a range of unique benefits that facilitate the smoothest possible transition in the patient care pathway – from initial titration to hospital discharge, from home therapy to long-term follow-up.

"Philips is proud to be able to provide access to new and innovative solutions that improve quality of care for respiratory patients – both in hospital and at home," comments Mats Dahlquist, general manager international, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.

One of the key benefits of the BiPAP A40 is an innovative ventilation mode called AVAPS-AE, which helps to guide clinicians during the initial titration of therapy, while maintaining comfort and improving efficacy for the patient. This new ventilation mode automatically maintains airway patency while delivering the correct level of ventilation each user requires, whatever their body position or sleep stage. AVAPS-AE mode also helps to guide clinicians during the initial titration of therapy, while providing long term comfort and assuring therapy compliance.

In addition to the introduction of AVAPS-AE, the BiPAP A40 features a unique battery module design which provides users with an enhanced level of autonomy that increases support when traveling, or in the case of a power shortage. Furthermore, the design incorporates an intuitive user interface and data management tools that allow clinicians to remotely access and review data about a user's therapy, adjusting it as necessary. This can help to reduce therapy drop out and the associated risk of hospital re-admission.

Although many chronic respiratory diseases are preventable and can be effectively managed, they continue to be an important cause of morbidity, mortality and the increased health care costs worldwide. COPD is predicted to become the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030, with 65 million people currently living with the disease across the world. "COPD is a particularly costly disease to manage, with an annual healthcare bill of more than 10 billion Euros across the EU alone."

More information: Wouters EFM. Economic analysis of the confronting COPD survey: an overview of results. Respir Med 2003; 97:S3-S14.
www.philips.com/BiPAP

Provided by Philips