People with cystic fibrosis could be monitored through phone or video messaging: NICE

Patients with cystic fibrosis could avoid having to travel to clinics if health professionals could monitor them using phone or video messaging, NICE says.

NICE recognises that people may need to travel long distances for routine monitoring, but says telemedicine, using phone or video messaging to monitor someone’s condition, is already being used in some clinics and could replace actual visits.

It may require patients to be issued with testing equipment in their home which would incur a small cost. However, this would be offset by the reduced use of busy NHS clinic space.

Telemedicine is not suitable for all people, however, and NICE says it should only be used to routinely monitor people who are clinically stable.

The guidance also makes wider recommendations on how services should be delivered, including how social workers can support people to adjust to their condition long-term.

It additionally advises that specialist clinics should plan treatment that takes account of cross-infection, as bacteria can easily be transmitted from one person with cystic fibrosis to another.

Martin Walshaw, consultant in general and respiratory medicine at the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and chair of the guideline committee, said: “People with cystic fibrosis have very complex health needs and may have to visit specialist clinics or hospital on a regular basis. This may involve travelling long distances.

“If they are stable, the guidance asks specialist teams to consider monitoring suitable individuals over the phone or through video messaging. This means they would not have to spend time travelling to their clinic if they did not need to. This time could be better spent living life the way they want.”

Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, said: “Our guideline sets out how to diagnose, treat and support someone with cystic fibrosis so they can live as full a life as possible. Reducing the burden that some patients may experience through regular check-ups that could be done at home could make a positive difference to their lives.”