New equipment helps respiratory team provide better asthma care

Respiratory clinicians are helping patients receive more accurate asthma assessments thanks to a new FeNO machine funded by Warrington and Halton Hospitals’ Charity.

The £2,944 machine is being used in nurse-led respiratory clinics to measure inflammation in a patient's airways through a simple breathing test.

Having the equipment available during appointments means clinicians can carry out the test at the point of care, helping them make informed decisions about how best to manage a patient's asthma.

It can also reduce the need for some patients to return to hospital for additional tests, helping to make their journey through care simpler.

Nicola Cross, respiratory advanced clinical practitioner, said: “The FeNO machine has already made a significant difference in our respiratory clinics. It helps us diagnose and manage asthma more accurately, allowing patients to receive the right treatment sooner.

“By carrying out the test during their appointment, we're also reducing the need for additional hospital visits, improving both patient care and experience.”

The equipment had been something the respiratory team had wanted for some time, and charitable funding has now made it possible.