TY - JOUR T1 - Physiotherapy led weaning plans reduce the number of days patients require non-invasive ventilation (NIV) JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P499 AU - Stephanie Harlow AU - Amber Lane AU - Paul Murray Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P499.abstract N2 - BackgroundRespiratory physiotherapists at ASPH assess, monitor and wean patients requiring NIV. In May 2009, as a result of previous NIV audit data, a physiotherapy led weaning proforma was implemented to improve successful weaning rates.Aims and objectivesThe aim of the investigation was to establish if physiotherapy led weaning plans reduced the number of days patients spent on NIV.MethodsData were collected prospectively from 255 consecutive patients requiring NIV over a two year period from May 2009 to April 2011 using a locally adapted version of the BTS NIV data collection tool. Number of days on NIV were collected from patients nursing notes. 84 patients had physiotherapy led weaning plans and were included in the analysis (t-test).Results33% (n=84) of patients had a physiotherapy led weaning plan. The impact of physiotherapy led weaning plans is summarised.View this table:Impact of physiotherapy weaning plans on time on NIV8% (n=21) patients required referral for domiciliary NIV and therefore could not be weaned and were excluded from the analysis.ConclusionPhysiotherapy led weaning plans reduce the length of time patients remain on NIV. A possible explanation could be faster optimisation in the first 24 hours facilitating a shortened weaning time. Further investigation is required to establish if earlier physiotherapy input can impact on NIV outcome.Thanks to Tina Thomas for data entry. ER -