Integrating technology with compassionate care: withdrawal of ventilation in a conscious patient with apnea

This case was atypical because the patient was conscious and apneic. The usual responses that indicate a patient's distress during terminal weaning would not have been evident in this patient. Introducing noninvasive monitoring of end-tidal CO2 and SpO2 and using BIS allowed the weaning to progress with confidence that the patient was as comfortable as possible. We think we kept our commitment to HD to honor his wishes by using the most humane method we could devise, and to address his family's needs at the same time.