Implementation of a multidisciplinary ventilator-weaning and sedation protocol in a community intensive care unit

Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2010 Jan-Feb;29(1):40-9; quiz 50-1. doi: 10.1097/DCC.0b013e3181be4bbf.

Abstract

Prolongation of mechanical ventilation poses serious personal and financial threats to healthcare consumers. To that end, many healthcare-related groups have established mechanisms for rapid weaning and subsequent extubation of mechanically ventilated patients. Our objectives were to create and implement an evidenced-based, multidisciplinary care-driven ventilator-weaning protocol as well as revise existing ventilator sedation protocols to decrease length of stay in addition to time spent on the ventilator. Our findings are presented in this article.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Protocols*
  • Community Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage*
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods*
  • Respiration, Artificial / statistics & numerical data
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Ventilator Weaning / methods*
  • Ventilator Weaning / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives