In this episode of Big Ideas Theater, Neil MacIntyre, MD, FAARC, FCCP, defines ventilator discontinuation and discusses how guidelines have evolved and the differences between discontinuation and extubation.
According to Dr. MacIntyre, ventilator discontinuation is the process of getting patients off of ventilator support and out of the ICU as they are recovering.
“It consumes, by various estimates, anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of the time a patient is on a ventilator,” Dr. MacIntyre said, in reference to the ventilator discontinuation process. “So it’s a very important segment of care.”
Dr. MacIntyre continues to discuss the varying barriers to getting patients off ventilators. Barriers can range from the patient’s health to the medical practitioner him/herself. He explains that, while guidelines on this process were updated last year, many of the original guidelines are still intact.
And finally, Dr. MacIntyre concludes his discussion detailing the difference between ventilator discontinuation and extubation.
Big Ideas Theater 2017 was filmed at the AARC Congress 2017 in Indianapolis, IN. Congress speakers and lecturers shared their expertise and insights during these brief interviews.
Congress 2018
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