Inpatient and long-term outcomes of individuals admitted for weaning from mechanical ventilation at a specialized ventilation weaning unit.

BACKGROUND: Weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in specialized weaning units has been demonstrated to be safe and cost-effective. Success rates and outcomes vary widely, probably relating to patient factors and unit expertise. METHODS: An audit was undertaken of patients admitted for weaning from IMV at the Austin Hospital Ventilation Weaning Unit (VWU) between March 2002 and January 2008. Weaning success, complications and both in-hospital and long-term mortality were examined and regression analysis was undertaken to examine factors related to these outcomes. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were admitted to the VWU after a median of 27 days of IMV at their referring centre. Weaning success rate (ventilator free or nocturnal non-invasive ventilation only) was 78.2% (n = 61). Inpatient mortality was 10.2% (n = 8) and serious complications were infrequent. Progressive neuromuscular disease (odds ratio 0.10) and sepsis during admission to the VWU (odds ratio 0.09) were predictive of weaning failure at discharge. Overall survival at 12 months following discharge from the VWU was 66.7% (n = 52) with most survivors residing in the community. Increasing age (hazard ratio 1.93), referral from rural or outer metropolitan centres (hazard ratio 3.57 and 2.37 respectively) and a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with increased long-term mortality. CONCLUSION: High rates of weaning success with infrequent complications and low mortality were achieved in this specialized non-intensive care unit-based weaning unit. The VWU may provide a useful template for the development of similar units elsewhere.

Improved survival with an ambulatory model of non-invasive ventilation implementation in motor neuron disease.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) increases survival and quality of life in motor neuron disease (MND). NIV implementation historically occurred during a multi-day inpatient admission at this institution; however, increased demand led to prolonged waiting times. The aim of this study was to evaluate the introduction of an ambulatory model of NIV implementation. A prospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria were referral for NIV implementation six months pre- or post-commencement of the Day Admission model. This model involved a 4-h stay to commence ventilation with follow-up in-laboratory polysomnography titration and outpatient attendance. Outcome measures included waiting time, hospital length of stay, adverse events and polysomnography data. Results indicated that after changing to the Day Admission model the median waiting time fell from 30 to 13.5 days (p < 0.04) and adverse events declined (4/17 pre- (three deaths, one acute admission) vs. 0/12 post-). Survival was also prolonged (median (IQR) 278 (51-512) days pre- vs 580 (306-1355) days post-introduction of the Day Admission model; hazard ratio 0.41, p = 0.04). Daytime PaCO2 was no different. In conclusion, reduced waiting time to commence ventilation and improved survival were observed following introduction of an ambulatory model of NIV implementation in people with MND, with no change in the effectiveness of ventilation.