Screening Elderly Patients for Weaning

In the 'once daily screening arm', RTs will screen invasively ventilated patients between approximately 06:00 - 08:00 hours daily. To pass the 'readiness to wean screen' and undergo an SBT, specific criteria must be met. The initial SBT will be 30-120 minutes in duration and may be conducted with any one of the following techniques: T-piece, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) less than or equal to 5 cm H2O or PS less than or equal to 8 cm H2O with PEEP less than or equal to 5 - 10 cm H2O. Higher levels of PEEP (8-10 cm H2O) will be permitted (and recorded) to allow for clinician discretion in conducting SBTs in specific patients (e.g., obese, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and use of different humidification strategies. Each centre will be asked to choose one technique to be used for patients enrolled at their centre.

In the 'at least twice daily' screening arm patients will be screened at a minimum between approximately 6:00-8:00 hours and 13:00-15:00 hours daily. To pass the 'readiness to wean screen' and undergo an SBT, specific criteria must be met. The initial SBT will be conducted in the same manner as in the once daily screening arm. The subsequent SBTs will be 30 -120 minutes in duration and may be conducted with any one of the following techniques: T-piece, CPAP \< to 5 cm H2 O or PS \< 8 cm H2 O with PEEP \< 5 - 10 cm H2O. Higher levels of PEEP (8-10 cm H2O) will be permitted (and recorded) to allow for clinician discretion in conducting SBTs in specific patients (e.g., obese, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and with the use of different humidification strategies. Each centre will be asked to choose one technique for all patients enrolled at their centre.