About the PROP Program
People living in the community in BC, who meet certain medical criteria and require assisted ventilation, may qualify to receive services for the Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP).
We provide education to your caregivers, so that they can confidently support you in your home. A Tracheostomy and Ventilator course is offered every month, so the member and caregiver can gain practical experience.
Our equipment is safe. Our Biomedical Engineers maintain and repair all respiratory equipment, including mounting ventilators on wheelchairs. We ensure equipment used by our members is available, safe and operational.
Transition from hospital to home. Our team works with acute care units to transition ventilator-dependent members into the community. We help with discharge planning meetings so that all questions are answered, and you’re well prepared to be successful at home.
24-hour on-call service: A PROP Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) is available around the clock to provide individualized information and advice at (866)-326-1245 or at 604-301-4208
Equipment is available including ventilators, BiPaps and auxiliary equipment, as well as an inventory of supplies and parts.
Home visits by a Registered Respiratory Therapists can occur throughout BC. Annual respiratory assessments are part of the support we provide and once completed, the results are shared with your referring Respirologist.
More information about our program:
- A Brief History of the Provincial Respiratory Outreach Program (PROP)
- An External Review of PROP
- Managing your Supplies (PROP)
- Air Travel with Ventilator or Bilevel
We’ve developed strong, cooperative working relationships with health service providers in all regions of the province. This strengthens the safety net of support for all members.
If you’re living in a care or rehabilitation facility, and want to move into the community, the discharge process can be very challenging. PROP can work with you to facilitate your transition to living in the community.
If you’re a ventilator user, most care facilities, including GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, know about our program (PROP) and will ask us to be involved in discharge planning.
If you’re living with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), our team has developed a unique level of expertise in providing the complex supports needed.
Are you eligible?
Recommended conditions for home ventilation includes
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Central Hypoventilation Syndrome
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- Kyphoscoliosis
- Myotonic Dystrophy
- Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
- Other Muscular Dystrophies and Myopathies
- Post-Polio Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Injury
If you need help, talk to your Respirologist regarding a referral to PROP or call us directly at 1.866.326.1245 if you have further questions, we would love to help. Contact Us
If you are not eligible for our services, we may be able to recommend a community organization or program that can help you with your needs. Many of those supports or services are listed here. Find Resources
PROP Medical Criteria
Individuals who meet the following medical criteria may be eligible for PROP services:
- Candidates should be stable and optimally managed for any reversible component of their associated pulmonary disease
- Candidates are required to be under the care of a Respirologist on discharge
- Individuals with neuromuscular disorders or chest wall restrictions that have documented hypercapnia (PCO2 at rest on room air >45mmHg)
- Individuals who have neuromuscular disorders or chest wall restrictions that have normal PaCO2’s (in the range of 40-45 mmHg) may be considered eligible if any of the following other criteria are present:
- Cor Pulmonale
- Nocturnal hypoventilation (as documented by elevation in nocturnal CO2 (TCCO2) levels and associated morning symptoms)
- Severe supine dyspnea i.e., Diaphragmatic paralysis
- Symptoms of alveolar hypoventilation
- Individuals with normal neuromuscular function but who have documented central alveolar hypoventilation secondary to abnormal ventilatory control may qualify i.e., Primary Alveolar Hypoventilation or Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
- Individuals who use a tracheostomy with re-usable (whenever possible) inner cannula. Uncuffed tracheostomy tubes are preferred; potential members requiring a cuffed tracheostomy tube will be assessed for program eligibility on an individual basis. Speaking valves used with uncuffed tracheostomy tubes will be considered when they are situated in-line with documented evidence of being well tolerated and within accepted risk parameters
- Individuals who are not PEEP dependent
- Individuals whose secretions can be safely managed without the use of in-line suction
PROP Non-Medical Criteria
- Must be 19 years of age or older
- Must be a BC citizen and registered with the BC Medical Services Plan
- Candidates must be capable of self-directing their therapy so that they have control over their choices and decisions when it comes to their own respiratory care and therapy or have a current and appropriate Representation Agreement in place
- Candidates who reside in assisted living/transitional care facilities are eligible if they can direct their own respiratory care and therapy (via themselves or through a Representation Agreement) and no other service provider (other than their physician/Respirologist) is involved in directing PROP clinicians in care
- Candidates are strongly encouraged to have a current Representation Agreement in place prior to application being made
At Home Program Applicants
- All candidates coming from the At Home Program are required to have made formal application to PROP through a prescription for services
- It is recognized that candidates coming from the At Home Program are sometimes not able to fully participate themselves in decisions about their respiratory care and therapy and that a parent or other designated representative will be involved; in this situation, a current Representation Agreement must be in place
How to Apply
Getting it right the first time.
Application to PROP should only take place after the individual being considered for eligibility has been medically optimized. Medically optimized implies that the health care team has determined that the individual is stable, that no further acute medical care is necessary or appropriate and that preparations for discharge are being made.
Candidates on Bipap should have their application to PROP submitted within 5-7 days of discharge (including recent ABG results). Candidates who are invasively ventilated require significantly more preparation specific to their home supports, i.e.: 3-5 caregivers being trained, and to ensure that they meet PROP criteria; complex candidates should have their application to PROP be submitted early in the discharge planning process.
A PROP application form should be completed by the attending Respirologist and should be submitted with proof of medical optimization i.e.: consult and history notes that identify that individual is stable and ready for discharge. Failure to provide the necessary documentation and/or ensuring that care by a Respirologist in community has been arranged, may create a delay in assessing an individual’s eligibility to PROP and discharge from hospital.
Announcement from Philips-Respironics of Medical Device Recall Notice
June 15, 2021
Technology For Living is aware of the recall notice of Philips-Respironics medical devices. PROP members that are users of these affected devices will be notified as soon as possible. Technology For Living is, and will continue to be, in close communications with Philips-Respironics representatives to ensure we move toward solutions efficiently and effectively.