PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Maroun J Mhanna AU - Ingrid M Anderson AU - Narayan P Iyer AU - Amy Baumann TI - The Use of Extubation Readiness Parameters: A Survey of Pediatric Critical Care Physicians AID - 10.4187/respcare.02469 DP - 2014 Mar 01 TA - Respiratory Care PG - 334--339 VI - 59 IP - 3 4099 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/59/3/334.short 4100 - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/59/3/334.full AB - BACKGROUND: The pediatric literature addressing extubation readiness parameters and strategies to wean from mechanical ventilation is limited. METHODS: We designed a survey to assess the use of extubation readiness parameters among pediatric critical care physicians at academic centers in the United States. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 44.1% (417/945). The majority of respondents check for air leak and the amount of tracheal secretions. Fewer respondents use sedation score, the rapid shallow breathing index, or the airway-occlusion pressure 0.1 s after the start of inspiratory flow prior to extubation. The majority perform a spontaneous breathing trial with pressure support. The majority consider 30 cm H2O as the upper limit of an air leak test, and the need for endotracheal suctioning once every 2–4 hours as acceptable for extubation. In preparation for termination of mechanical ventilation the majority daily wean the ventilator rate and/or the pressure support instead of conducting a spontaneous breathing trial. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric critical care physicians reported assessing extubation readiness by checking air leak and suctioning need, and less often consider or perform sedation score or the rapid shallow breathing index.