Improving HME adherence through education and awareness

The clinical value of day-and-night HME use

The results demonstrated that establishing a consistent day-and-night HME routine may have a meaningful impact on symptoms that commonly affect quality of life after laryngectomy. Nearly nine out of ten participants reported improvement in at least one respiratory domain, with benefits observed in coughing, mucus production, breathing comfort, and sleep.

The findings demonstrated meaningful improvements in several respiratory domains that commonly impact daily life after laryngectomy, including coughing, mucus production, ease of breathing and sleep quality. Nearly 90% of participants reported improvement in at least one of these areas. In addition the hours of sleep at night increased in 59% of patients. Additionally, more than 80% indicated that they intended to continue using two HMEs per day after completing the program.

Importantly, most participants reported that the improvements they experienced were substantial enough to motivate them to continue using the appropriate HMEs on a daily basis after the pilot had ended. This highlights the positive impact that a well-matched HME can have on quality of life. This pilot demonstrates the need for ongoing, personalized patient education.