Impact Of Weaning Protocol On Outcome Of Mechanical Ventilation In Adults

The potential benefits of weaning protocol utilization include reduced variability of medical practices, decreased errors, improved patient outcomes, and reduced medical costs. Objective: to assess outcomes before and after implementing the Model for weaning protocol in adult intensive care unit (ICU) mechanically ventilated patients. Patient and methods: A prospective comparative design, before and after implementation of the weaning protocol on the patients of both genders who admitted to the trauma and emergency ICU Zagazig University from Mach 2011 till March 2012 and requiring ventilatory support for more than 48 hours. Incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning, ICU length of stay, ICU mortality and reintubation were recorded. Results: Patients characteristics, indication of ventilation and medical history were similar in both groups. After protocol implementation, the duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning, ventilator-associated pneumonia, the rate of reintubations and mortality were decreased. There was no change in ICU length of stay. In conclusion: Implementation of weaning protocol in adults reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of weaning, incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia, reintubation and mortality. There was no change in intensive care unit length of stay.