Taking treatment to the patient: development of a home TL-01 ultraviolet B phototherapy service

Background While most patients requiring phototherapy can attend for hospital-based out-patient ultraviolet (UV) B therapy, a significant number cannot attend because of geographical, work, economic and other reasons. Objectives To determine whether there was a need for home phototherapy in the Tayside area and, if so, to establish protocols and then to assess if such a service would be workable. Methods Patients referred from dermatology out-patient clinics in Tayside for narrow-band UVB (TL-01) phototherapy completed a pilot questionnaire that was followed by a two-phase project. In phase 1, patients with psoriasis were trained to use the home phototherapy equipment (HoPE) within the hospital department under nursing supervision while a teaching package and protocols were developed. In phase 2, home phototherapy was made available for patient use in the community, supported by a specialist home phototherapy nurse. Waldmann UV100 home therapy units were used, with accurate dosimetry. Detailed treatment records were kept and questionnaires were used to assess acceptability and costs of therapy. Results Fifty-two pilot questionnaires were completed. Forty-two per cent of respondents found hospital phototherapy inconvenient and 75% felt phototherapy at home would be helpful. In phase 1, seven of 10 patients trained to use the HoPE completed therapy with the HoPE unit alone, reaching minimal residual activity (MRA) or clearance in a median of 18 exposures (median dose 10.38 J cm(-2)). In phase 2, 32 courses of home phototherapy were given to 30 patients. Of 23 with psoriasis, 18 reached clearance or MRA in a median of 22.5 exposures (median dose 9.84 J cm(-2)). Although self-reported erythema rates appeared higher than expected, all post-treatment questionnaire respondents would choose home phototherapy over hospital therapy if required in the future. Conclusions UVB (TL-01) home phototherapy is a useful practical development that has fulfilled a need in our catchment area. Where appropriate training and support teams are available it appears to be similar in effectiveness to hospital therapy, to be safe and to be cost-effective for patients.