Pulmonary rehabilitation for mechanically ventilated patients

Pulmonary rehabilitation for the mechanically ventilated patient is a complex process requiring the teamwork of many disciplines. The physician, pulmonary CNS, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietician, speech pathologist, social worker, and chaplain all work together in a coordinated effort. Daily assessment of patient changes and tolerance to therapy is necessary to progress the patient to a relatively independent state. When communication among the team members is effective, few problems go unnoticed. The primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to return patients to their highest functional capacity to enhance their independence and personal ego strength, whether on or off a ventilator, part or all of the time. If chronic mechanical ventilation is the reality, pulmonary rehabilitation must promote a quality lifestyle of independence and autonomy.