Braun S R, Smith F R, McCarthy T M, Minsloff M
JAMA. 1981;245(20):2033-7.
An analysis of respiratory therapy services at two general hospitals showed a notable change from 1971 to 1979. There was a large decrease in intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) treatments at both hospitals. These were partially replaced with general chest physiotherapy maneuvers at one hospital and with incentive spirometry at another. Both hospitals demonstrated a substantial increase in time spent in management of mechanical ventilators. Staffs had increased along with time spent per patient. The reduction in IPPB was not associated with lower costs of respiratory therapy service at either hospital but, rather, a shift in the types of service performed. These changes must be considered in determining cost-effectiveness of respiratory therapy services.
对两家综合医院呼吸治疗服务的分析显示，1971年至1979年期间出现了显著变化。两家医院的间歇性正压通气（IPPB）治疗大幅减少。在一家医院，这些治疗部分被常规胸部物理治疗操作所取代，而在另一家医院则被激励性肺量计所取代。两家医院在机械通气管理上花费的时间都大幅增加。随着每位患者花费时间的增加，工作人员也有所增加。IPPB的减少与两家医院呼吸治疗服务成本的降低并无关联，而是服务类型发生了转变。在确定呼吸治疗服务的成本效益时，必须考虑这些变化。
