ABSTRACT
A breakdown of 28 patients on domiciliary NPPV from September. 3, 2007 through July 31, 2009 includes 11 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 7 patients with neuro-muscular disease, 4 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis sequela, 4 patients with conjestive heart failure, a patient with bronchiectasis and a patient with pulmonary interstitial pneumonia. Sixteen patients of them started NPPV at home. All of domiciliary NPPV patients had very severe conditions and frequent exacerbations. An avoidance of exacerbation led to improve a prognosis. Actually, a domiciliary pulmonary care team should do a pulmonary rehabilitation for them. It needs a special knowledge and artistic skills for their stable and high quality of life at home. Not only all of the team members should be an expert, but also the patient and family members who belong to the team should be an expert as well. We should educate them how to assess their symptoms and act patho-physiologically.
