title: Decannulation following tracheostomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined the process of decannulation following tracheostomy in patients transferred to a long-term acute care (LTAC) hospital for weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV).
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of 135 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decannulation was successful in 35% of patients a median of 45 days (IQR, 32-76) following tracheostomy. Patients who failed decannulation had a tracheostomy tube placed earlier (14 days; IQR 11-18 vs. 18 days; IQR 14-30, P=.04) and had a shorter length of stay at the acute facility (20 days; IQR, 16-23 vs. 31 days; IQR 24-45, P=.003) compared with patients who were decannulated. Length of stay and cost of care at the LTAC did not differ with decannulation status. At 3.5 years, 35% (47/135) of all patients and 62% (29/47) of decannulated patients were alive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Decannulation was achieved in 35% of patients transferred to an LTAC for weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Sleep Division, New England Sinai Hospital, Stoughton, MA 02072, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terrin
authors.forename: Nicholas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D014139:Tracheostomy; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods*