title: Variations in the measurement of weaning parameters of mechanical ventilation in Fortaleza hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The number of patients requiring prolonged time on mechanical ventilation is increasing considerably in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to characterize the variability of methods and criteria used by physiotherapists to obtain weaning parameters in hospitals of Fortaleza.
  
  
  METHODS
  After approval by the UNIFOR Ethics Committee, survey questionnaires were distributed among physiotherapists working in the ICU of three public and three private hospitals. Forty-four physiotherapists answered thirty-two multiple choice questions anonymously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main results concerned parameters commonly evaluated by physiotherapists. A significant difference between hospitals was found regarding the rapid shallow breathing index and maximum inspiratory pressure, which are more often used in private hospitals, with a percentage of 100% and 89.5%, respectively. Concerning the ventilatory mode for obtaining the weaning parameters for mechanical ventilation; the T-tube was the most used, not only in the public (56%) but also in the private hospitals (57.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variability in the methods and criteria used to obtain weaning parameters by the physiotherapists was found in public and private hospitals in Fortaleza. Results from this survey stress the need to develop new scientific studies to standardize the techniques used for weaning.
authors.affiliation: USP.
authors.forename: Daniela Gardano Bucharles
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mont'Alverne
authors.affiliation: UNIFOR.
authors.forename: Juliana Arcanjo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lino
authors.affiliation: UNIFOR.
authors.forename: Daniel Oliveira
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Bizerril