Creation of an intermediate respiratory care unit to decrease intensive care utilization.
Patients requiring specialized respiratory care often have lengthy stays in the intensive/critical care settings. Financial constraints, patient flow, unit management, and limited resources make finding alternative sites for the care of patients on long-term ventilator (LTV) essential. The authors discuss the efforts of a multidisciplinary team that created, implemented, and evaluated an evidence-based respiratory care unit for LTV patients. The nursing staff development required as part of this initiative is described.
Aloe
Karen
K
South Nassau Communities Hospital, Oceanside, NY 11572, USA. kaloe@snch.org
Ryan
Marybeth
M
Raffaniello
Lori
L
Williams
Lisa
L
D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012124:Respiratory Care Units / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*