Long-term management of the ventilator-dependent patient: levels of disability and resocialization

Abstract

Home care of ventilator-dependent people is increasing in use due to improved management of respiratory failure and the development of effective portable ventilators. Home care programmes depend on an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals working with the ventilator-dependent person and caregivers in the home (family member, friend, or attendant). The caregiver is responsible for personal care assistance, for equipment monitoring, and for tracheostomy care, if the ventilator-dependent person has one, including changing of the tracheostomy tube, cleaning of stomas, and suctioning. Polio survivors of the 1950's epidemics in the United States have lived at home with ventilatory support and are the paradigm for the new ventilator-dependent population.