Air Master
Breathlessness is common in chronic diseases but its suffering is unknown
Air Master rehab teaches patients to manage symptoms to remain independent
3 large hospitals, 3 community rehab partners, 7 polyclinics, GPs and more
The Air Master service helps people with chronic heart and lung conditions manage their breathlessness and other debilitating symptoms, enabling them to remain independent. It is part of Singapore’s first Breathlessness Ecosystem to help people suffering from breathlessness avoid unnecessary hospitalisation.
Breathlessness is common across many chronic diseases but its ensuing distress is often unknown. 60-90% of people with heart and lung failure suffer from breathlessness. Many do not know how to manage symptoms or their anxiety at home, which results in panicked visits at the emergency department. Post-discharge, 15-25% of patients are readmitted within a month.
Lien Foundation and Tan Tock Seng Hospital are partnering to launch the Breathlessness Ecosystem, committing S$5.8 million. Over 5 years, this will benefit patients across the National Healthcare Group involving 3 large hospitals (Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Woodlands Health), 7 polyclinics and a network of GPs. The Air Master service is currently offered at 3 community care partners – AWWA, Ren Ci Hospital and St Luke’s ElderCare. TTSH will collaboratively train community care partners so that they will provide structured support much earlier for patients with chronic heart and lung conditions.
This ecosystem of services will match people with services, including Air Master, suited to their disease severity. By integrating a palliative care approach early in the disease trajectory to help patients manage symptoms and prevent readmissions, the hope is to alleviate unnecessary suffering of patients and their caregivers.
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