RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Tele-assistance in chronic respiratory failure patients: a randomised clinical trial JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 411 OP 418 DO 10.1183/09031936.00005608 VO 33 IS 2 A1 M. Vitacca A1 L. Bianchi A1 A. Guerra A1 C. Fracchia A1 A. Spanevello A1 B. Balbi A1 S. Scalvini YR 2009 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/33/2/411.abstract AB Chronic respiratory patients requiring oxygen or home mechanical ventilation experience frequent exacerbations and hospitalisations with related costs. Strict monitoring and care have been recommended. The aim of the present study was to primarily evaluate reduction in hospitalisations and, secondly, exacerbations, general practitioner (GP) calls and related cost-effectiveness of tele-assistance (TA) for these patients. A total of 240 patients (101 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) were randomised to two groups: an intervention group entered a 1-yr TA programme while controls received traditional care. No anthropometric and clinical differences were found between groups both in baseline and in mortality (18% for TA, 23% for controls). Compared with controls, the TA group experienced significantly fewer hospitalisations (-36%), urgent GP calls (-65%) and acute exacerbations (-71%). Only COPD patients, as a separate group, had fewer hospitalisations, emergency room admissions, urgent GP calls or exacerbations. Each patient referred to staff a mean±sd 36±25 times. After deduction of TA costs, the average overall cost for each patient was 33% less than that for usual care. In chronic respiratory failure patients on oxygen or home mechanical ventilation, a nurse-centred tele-assistance prevents hospitalisations while it is cost-effective. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group seems to have a greater advantage from tele-assistance.