Main description:

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) usually represents the final step in the management of severe chronic respiratory diseases: a large proportion of patients suffering from these conditions is involved and the corresponding impact for the Health Institutions and the Society is dramatically increasing. Although LTOT is well known and widely used since long ago in most modern countries, it still represents a challenging topic due to the huge amount of variables which can affect both its efficacy and effectiveness. Unfortunately, patients, doctors, care-givers, together with health institutions and political decision makers frequently have different visions on LTOT, thus highly contributing to obtain uneven results and changing outcomes. The focus of this volume is on new insights and novel perspectives of LTOT. Starting from consolidated experiences, it's aim is also to emphasize the strategic value of developing technologies and innovative organizational models uniquely to find out even more opportunities and advantages for the management of chronic respiratory patients needing long-term oxygen treatment.

Contents:

Foreword.- Preface.- The patient candidate for LTOT.- The multidimensional evaluation of patients.- Lung function parameters.- Cardiovascular and metabolic indexes.- Neuro-muscular signs.- The psychological and cognition profile.- Nutritional deficiencies.- Gender-related differences.- The cooperating roles.- The care-givers.- The General Practitioner.- The lung physician.- The Health Institutions.- The role of media.- Systems for oxygen delivery.- Models for LTOT management.- The standard care.- The tele-control at home.- The value of a systemic road for accreditation.- The outcomes.- Clinical outcomes.- Humanistic outcomes and quality of life.- The overall impact of LTOT.