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Application Description: Discontinuation
of mechanical ventilation is important to patients (e.g. safety, comfort)
institutional costs and resource utilization. It is estimated that nearly half
the time that patients spend on a mechanical ventilator occurs during the
weaning process. All patients requiring mechanical ventilation should receive
regular assessment of discontinuation potential. This assessment should include
evidence that there has been some reversal of the underlying cause of
respiratory failure, the adequacy of patient's ventilatory drive, gas exchange
and hemodynamic stability. Even patients who do not meet all conventional
criteria for weaning potential may be candidates for spontaneous breathing
trials. This palm application
was developed for the Queen Elizabeth Health Sciences Centre in Halifax , NS,
Canada in accordance with the new Respiratory Therapy weaning protocol. We
thought we'd share it with other medical personnel to help proliferate this
important procedure and protocol. Please enjoy this complimentary application.
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Weaning
and Ventilator Protocol