Home respiratory care becomes new standard

Once considered a secondary option to hospital-based treatment, industry experts say home respiratory care has now become the standard for managing chronic conditions. 

“There’s a growing emphasis on home-based care as hospitals and health care systems seek to reduce inpatient stays and manage costs more efficiently,” said Charles Hartson, vice president of product management at ResMed. 

In addition to cost savings, the transition is driven by an aging population, technological advancements and the growing prevalence of COPD. More than 450 million people globally have COPD—a number expected to rise to 600 million by 2050.  

To meet demand, manufacturers are enhancing product lines, integrating telehealth and expanding service models. 

Technology fuels next phase 

Patients have become increasingly informed of their oxygen therapy options and are looking for lightweight, dependable devices that support proper oxygen saturation while allowing them to stay active, says Doug Francis, CEO of Rhythm Healthcare. 

To that end, portable oxygen concentrators are a major focus of innovation. Inogen’s Rove 4, launched last year, delivers 840ml/min of oxygen at under 3 pounds, while Rhythm Healthcare’s P2-E7 POC offers up to 1400 ml/min with a six-hour battery life at 4.37 pounds. Medline’s TurboMist, a small-volume nebulizer approved for home use, cuts treatment time to about three minutes. 

Additionally, real-time data is shaping the backbone of modern respiratory care, giving providers the ability to intervene before small issues turn into in-person visits. 

“The integration of telehealth and remote monitoring has become a core part of how we support patients,” said Hartson. “By leveraging digital health solutions, we can reduce hospital readmissions and improve overall patient outcomes.” 

Service models evolve 

Equipment maintenance and repair remain major pain points for providers. One of the major challenges HME providers face is handling repair and service calls, which can be costly, time consuming and often require repeat visits, says Eric Pauls, vice president of sales at Inogen. 

“One way we are helping with that is improving our digital health solutions through our Connect App,” he said. “This will allow HMEs to remotely identify specific device alerts, eliminating the need for multiple on-site visits and using remote data collection for remote maintenance and service.” 

Rhythm Healthcare is also tackling inefficiencies with Rhythm Resolve, a warranty exchange program designed to keep providers’ fleets active. Instead of refurbishing defective units, Rhythm Resolve offers brand-new replacements during the initial warranty period, minimizing downtime and eliminating lengthy repair processes. Claims are submitted online and replacements arrive within days. 

The future is smarter 

The next wave of respiratory care is shifting toward smaller, smarter and more efficient devices, says Gillian Grundmann, vice president of HME sales at Medline. 

Industry experts predict AI algorithms could transform respiratory care by enabling tailored treatment plans based on patient-specific data. Additionally, AI has shown promise in detecting respiratory conditions at earlier stages and optimizing mechanical ventilation through continuous monitoring. 

“Most respiratory devices are not yet ‘smart’ devices, but we expect to see increased integration of smart technology to improve usability and patient outcomes,” said Grundmann.