Clinical Trial of a Computer-driven Weaning System for Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Computer-Driven Weaning Compared With Standard of Care Weaning in Medical Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of a computer-assisted ventilator weaning system (Drager Smartcare) to our current standard of care in the medical intensive care unit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age greater than 18 years
• Initiated on mechanical ventilation via endotracheal tube
• Admitted to Medical Intensive Care Unit and Medical Intensive Care Unit Team (Harrison Avenue Campus, Menino Pavilion)
• Requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours
• Meets prespecified weaning criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

• Do Not Resuscitate/Do Not Intubate order
• Pregnancy
• Mechanical ventilation initiated at another hospital
• Cardiac arrest for more than 5 minutes with poor neurologic prognosis
• Tracheostomy