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Article: Weaning tips and tricks: the preparation phase.(MECHANICAL VENTILATION)
- Article from:
- FOCUS: Journal for Respiratory Care & Sleep Medicine
- Article date:
- November 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Focus Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Eventually, nearly every intubated patient is evaluated for ventilator support withdrawal and endotracheal tube removal. For those recovering from critical illness, this process generally proceeds in stages: preparation for spontaneous breathing, evaluation of readiness, withdrawal of positive airway pressure (ventilating power and oxygenation support), extraction of the ET tube, and post-extubation care. Clinical perceptions and direct measurements (often formalized into protocols geared to efficiently and safely guide us through this 5-step mine field) usually get the job done, but not always. Too often we are reminded that this usually smooth process can stall, ...