title: Post-ICU weaning from mechanical ventilation: the role of long-term facilities.
abstract: A review of the largest observational studies on post-ICU weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation yields evidence that more than half of such patients can be successfully liberated from mechanical ventilation. Success is likely to fall within a 3-month window, with late successes and partial ventilator independence still possible thereafter. There is a uniformity of practice in finishing difficult weaning with self-breathing trials of increasing duration.
authors.affiliation: Barlow Respiratory Research Center, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA. djs@barlow2000.org
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scheinhorn
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hassenpflug
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Gracey
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008134:Long-Term Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods