Table 2.
Average scores of expert judgments per effect variable.
| Variables | Average scores (SD) | Experts (n=19), n (%) | SEEa process |
| Tracheal climate | 1.51 (0.24) | 19 (100) | In total, 51% of patients will experience a decrease in tracheal dryness or irritation when using the new HMEsb compared with second-generation HMEs after 12 weeks. |
| Mucus plugging | 0.67 (0.32) | 19 (100) | The percentage of decrease in patients experiencing mucus plug events when using the new HMEs compared with using the second-generation HMEs during the acute postoperative period (2 weeks) will be 33%. |
| Mucus production | 0.47 (0.22) | 19 (100) | After 12 weeks of using the new HMEs, 53% of patients will have decreased mucus production compared with no HME use. |
| Speech quality | 1.25 (0.23) | 18 (95) | Using the new HMEs for 12 weeks will result in 25% of patients having better speech quality compared with using the second-generation HMEs. |
| Physiotherapy | 0.74 (0.70) | 18 (95) | The average number of days requiring chest physiotherapy will decrease by 0.74 days after 12 weeks of using the new HMEs compared with using the second-generation HMEs. |
| Tracheobronchitis or pneumonia episodes | 0.66 (0.32) | 18 (95) | The percentage of decrease in pulmonary infections per year in patients using the new HMEs compared with those using the second-generation HMEs will be 34%. |
| Social contacts | 1.13 (0.18) | 18 (95) | The percentage of increase in the average number of social contacts in patients using the new HMEs compared with those using the second-generation HMEs after 12 weeks will be 13%. |
| QoLc | 1.33 (0.30) | 18 (95) | The percentage of increase in the overall QoL in patients using the new HMEs compared with those using the second-generation HMEs after 12 weeks will be 33%. |
| Patient satisfaction | 1.44 (0.30) | 18 (95) | Using the new HMEs will result in 44% of patients being more satisfied about their HME when compared with patients using the second-generation HMEs after 12 weeks. |
| Breathing | 1.53 (0.28) | 19 (100) | The use of the new HMEs will result in 53% of patients breathing better after 12 weeks of use. |
| Shortness of breath | 1.48 (0.25) | 19 (100) | After 12 weeks of using the new HMEs, 48% of patients will experience a decrease in shortness of breath. |
| Tracheal climate | 1.59 (0.19) | 19 (100) | After 12 weeks of using the new HMEs, 59% of patients will experience a decrease in tracheal dryness or irritation. |
| Coughing | 2.95 (1.61) | 19 (100) | The average amount of daily coughs per patient after 12 weeks of using the new HMEs will be 2.95. |
| Forced expectorations | 2.46 (1.42) | 19 (100) | The average number of daily forced expectorations per patient after 12 weeks of using the new HMEs will be 2.46. |
| Sleep quality | 0.48 (0.22) | 18 (95) | After 12 weeks of using the new HMEs, 48% of patients will experience sleeping problems. |
| Psychosocial aspects | 0.24 (0.20) | 18 (95) | After 12 weeks of using the new HMEs, 24% of patients will experience psychosocial problems. |
aSEE: structured expert elicitation.
bHMEs: heat and moisture exchangers.
cQoL: quality of life.