IPI’s Founder and CEO Tamara Müller and the late Forrest M. Bird, MD, Ph.D.
Almost three years ago Independence Plus, Inc (IPI) began an education and training initiative known as ‘IPI Connect’. Administrative and field clinicians are invited to monthly IPI Connect meetings to help build a more connected professional network for our clinicians and offer open discussions on topics directly related to the care we are responsible for delivering to our medically complex, ventilator-dependent adult and pediatric patients.
To allow more of our nurses to participate, we are providing a wrap-up of each topic via our blog. Whenever possible we will also include a link to the slideshow presentation or printed information.
October’s IPI Connect focused on cardiopulmonary dynamics and the principals and benefits of Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) and was presented by Tom Russell, RRT, Clinical Sales Specialist at Sentec, Inc. Tom has been an RT since 1987 and has been working with IPV since 1993. He discussed the history of IPV and mechanical ventilation, explained the mechanics of IPV, discussed patient successes using IPV, and provided our clinicians with an opportunity to deliver IPV to their own lungs and practice with the devices.
About IPV
Healthy lungs have a large lumen with air flowing freely to the alveoli (where gas exchange occurs). Excess mucous production or airway inflammation can cause an obstruction in air flow which can result in decreased gas exchange and lung atelectasis. IPV, also known as Flow Ventilation, is one intervention IPI uses to keep our patient’s lungs clear and functioning at capacity. It has been saving lives in critical care for over 30 years. It is designed to both treat active pulmonary disease and to prevent the development of disease caused by inflammation and mucous retention.
Through high frequency percussion ventilation, IPV promotes effective gas exchange, lung recruitment, and airway clearance to the most fragile of lungs. It gently persuades distal airways and collapsed alveoli to open over time. Flow Ventilation uses a patented circuit called the Phasitron to deliver pressure that automatically adjusts to the resistance of the lung so it can safely and effectively deliver optimal pressures to the alveolar space and enhance gas exchange. This therapy is available to homecare patients of all ages, infants through adults, and may be applied via a mouthpiece, mask, or artificial airway.
IPI’s Administrator first utilized IPV in the latter part of the 1980’s during the late Forrest M. Bird, MD, Ph.D.’s initial patient trials*; and IPI has been using IPV off and on with patients since the mid-1990s’. Over the last several years, IPV has become more popular here in the Midwest; we hope to see more doctors and payor sources becoming less resistant to its use with their patients and insured’s. *Dr. Bird was an inventor who pioneered some of the first portable and reliable mechanical ventilators for people with acute and chronic heart and lung afflictions.
Indications:
- Mechanically ventilated patients with atelectasis
- Bronchitis and bronchiectasis
- Bronchopneumonia
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Neuromuscular disorders which produce pulmonary symptoms
- Restrictive lung disease with recurrent atelectasis
- Post thoracic and abdominal surgery
- Patient refractory to traditional bronchial hygiene methods
- Patients with artificial airways who are unable to maintain clear lungs
For more information:
IPI has the following videos listed on the Web Educational Resources section of our website:
IPV at Home, Part 1
IPV at Home, Part 2
NOTE: The presenter’s slideshow contains several informational videos, including one of IPV technology quickly displacing meconium up and out of a neonate’s lungs. IPI staff who would like to view the videos from the slideshow, please contact Corporate Communications Manager Rachelle Treiber at rtreiber@indendenceplus.com or 630.463.4450.
Join us for the next IPI Connect:
Save the date or RSVP (IPI staff only –rsvp@independenceplus.com) for the next IPI Connect on Thursday, November 17th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.
The topic will be: The Pen can be Mightier than the Insurer; and it is your responsibility to the patient to document accurately and in conjunction with the care you deliver. Without comprehensive documentation, our patient’s ability to access the benefits they pay for is at risk, as is their continued insurance coverage for our services. Join us for a discussion on the importance of documentation and the best ways to document the life-saving interventions and skilled care you provide.