Ventilator Weaning

The Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital* Ventilator Weaning Program offers comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to wean patients off of mechanical ventilation and help them achieve their highest possible level of functional independence. A high percentage of patients are successfully weaned off of mechanical ventilation at Good Shepherd Specialty Hospital. These vent weaning rates are consistently better than the rates at similar facilities statewide.

Patients admitted into the Ventilator Weaning Program include anyone suffering from severe pulmonary disease or complications, multi-trauma, a spinal cord injury (C4 injury level and below), brain injury (Rancho III and higher), or other medical or pulmonary trauma.

For more information on the Good Shepherd Ventilator Weaning Program, contact us today or call 1-888-44-REHAB (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).

Ventilator Weaning Program

• Ventilator management/weaning protocols
• Progressive respiratory program
• Ongoing patient/family education
• Comprehensive rehabilitation approach

Care Approach

• Nurse liaison evaluation
• On-site consultation
• Interdisciplinary team approach
• Weekly patient care conferences
• Physical therapy and occupational therapy

Transition to the Community

• Discharge planning
• Outpatient and day rehabilitation
• Home evaluation
• Established DME suppliers
• Work with community advocacy agencies
• Collaboration with family doctors

Program Specialties

• Physiatry
• Respiratory therapy
• Nursing: Intensive care, acute, and rehabilitation
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Case management
• Psychology
• Speech therapy
• Nutritional therapy

*A ventilator home management training program is also offered for post-acute rehabilitation patients at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital—Allentown. Patients who will require long-term ventilator support and will be going home are considered for the program. Extensive training and education on ventilator management will be provided to the family during their stay at Good Shepherd.

Patients with the following medical conditions will be considered for admission for ongoing ventilator management and family training of the caregiver for management of the ventilator in the home:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injury (Rancho II and higher) with potential for improvement
• Restrictive lung disease from a neuromuscular disease such as ALS, Guilian Barre, or muscular dystrophy.