PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Cenk Kirakli AU - Ozlem Edipoglu AU - Ilknur Naz AU - Pinar Cimen AU - Dursun Tatar TI - Effectiveness and safety of a protocolized mechanical ventilation and weaning strategy of COPD patients by respiratory therapists DP - 2013 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P4930 VI - 42 IP - Suppl 57 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4930.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/42/Suppl_57/P4930.full SO - Eur Respir J2013 Sep 01; 42 AB - Objectives: To evaluate the impact of a mechanical ventilation protocol applied by a respiratory therapist (RT) on the outcomes in COPD patients.Methods: A novel mechanical ventilation protocol was initiated by a respiratory therapist. Outcomes of patients during a 6-month period were compared to those of patients treated by physicians without a protocol during the preceding 6 months.Results: A total of 170 patients were enrolled. Extubation success was higher (98% vs. 78%, p= 0.014) and median durations of weaning, mechanical ventilation (Figure 1) and ICU stay (Figure 2) were shorter in the protocol group (2 vs. 26 hours, log rank p < 0.001, 3.1 vs. 5 days, log rank p < 0.001 and 6 vs. 12 days, log rank p < 0.001 respectively).Patients in the protocol group were more likely to come off the ventilator earlier (HR: 2.31, 95 % CI: 1.54-3.48, adjusted for age, APACHE II and PaCO2)Conclusions: Protocolized mechanical ventilation and weaning strategy applied by respiratory therapists may improve weaning success and shorten the total duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay in COPD patients requiring mechanical ventilation.