My care plan
Vibrovest
Vibrovest
About your vibrovest
Everyone has mucus in their lungs. This is usually cleared when you cough, or when you take deep breaths in the way you do when you are exercising. If the mucus is not cleared regularly, it can lead to a chest infection.
A vibro vest is a vest that vibrates and can help you to loosen and clear mucus that is on your chest.
A vibrovest is not suitable for everyone. If it is right for you, a healthcare professional will have recommended it and shown you how to use it. If you are unsure, please ask your GP or healthcare provider.
A vibrovest
- Can be useful if you have a weak cough
- Can help if you have a lot of mucus that you are having difficulty clearing.
- Can be used as an alternative to chest physiotherapy
- It can also be used as well as chest physiotherapy
- Inflates and deflates quickly to create a vibration against the chest wall which helps to loosen mucus in the lungs
How to use your vibrovest
- Place the machine on a stable surface and plug in.
2. Insert the air hoses into the holes in the machine – make sure the white marks on the hose are aligned with the blue markers on the machine then turn the hose 90 degrees clockwise to align the white markers with the padlock marker on the machine
3. Wrap the vest around the chest and under the armpits, do not place over the stomach. The vest should fit closely but with room to slide one hand between the chest and vest.
4. Insert the smooth ends of the air hoses into the two pockets on the side of the vest. Make sure the smooth part of the hose is completely inserted
5. Press the on button on the front of the generator.
6. Press the arrow above the normal button:
7. The frequency, pressure, and time can be adjusted using the allows indicated. Your care plan will tell you what these settings should be.
8. Press On to inflate the vest
9. Press On again to start vibrations
10. Press Off to stop
The vest can be used for up to 70 uses.
Wipe over the machine with warm soapy water.
Nebuliser
Nebuliser
About your nebuliser
You have a Nebuliser to keep your chest healthy. The nebuliser turns liquid medication into a fine mist. This allows you to breathe your medicine straight into your lungs where it can work quickly. A nebuliser is not suitable for everyone. If it is right for you, a healthcare professional will have recommended it and shown you how to use it. If you are unsure, please ask your GP or healthcare provider.
How to use your nebuliser
- First, make sure you are sat in a comfortable upright position
- Place the nebuliser on a level surface close to you
- Plug your nebuliser in
- Connect one end of the tubing to the Nebuliser and the other end to the nebuliser pot
- Some nebulisers have a small plastic piece inside called a baffle
- If your nebuliser has a baffle, make sure this is in place or it won’t work
- Put your medication inside
- Screw the lid back on tightly
- Keep the nebuliser pot upright, so it doesn’t spill any of the liquid medication
- Connect the face mask to the nebuliser pot
- Fit the face mask over your nose and mouth.
- This needs to fit snugly to stop the medication leaking from the sides
- You can adjust the mask using the elastic straps at the sides
- Use the power button to turn on your nebuliser
- Try not to talk
- Relax and breath at your usual pace through your mouth to inhale the mist
- Tap the side of the nebuliser pot with your finger to move any droplets of medication back into the pot
- You will see a mist coming from the mask
- This will stop when all of the medication has finished
- It can take 5-10 minutes
- You can now remove your mask and switch off your machine
- Gently clean your face
Non-urgent advice: Cleaning and maintaining your nebuliser
After each use unplug the nebuliser.
Disconnect the nebuliser pot and wash in warm soapy water, rinse and allow it to air dry.
Check and wipe your mask with a clean damp cloth and allow it to air dry.
Check the tubing regularly for any kinks or holes.
Replace the pot, tubing, and face mask every two months.
Top Tips
- Your machine may look a little different to the one in the video but it will work the same.
- Refer to the manual that came with your machine if needed.
- It can feel strange when you first start to use your nebuliser. Try to relax. Listen to music or watch TV.
- If you have any problems with your nebuliser you can call the number on the machine or speak to the person who gave you it, to ask for help.