Home mechanical ventilation in a changing health service

This literature review will examine the concept and feasibility of mechanical ventilation within the home environment, as opposed to hospitals or institutions, for clients requiring long-term ventilation. It will consider which clients can benefit from home ventilation programmes and the aims and drawbacks. The psychosocial and economic consequences of caring for ventilated clients in their own home, practical aspects and the possible developments of this field in the future are also considered. The review will address only adult clients who depend entirely on ventilatory support 24 hours a day or for intermittent periods within a 24-hour framework.