A Protocol to Wean From Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation

A Protocol to Wean From Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation

The investigators use a protocol to wean from noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial, with 2 groups: study (protocol weaning group) and control (clinicians' order weaning group). Setting: Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU). Subjects: Patients >18 yr, noninvasive mechanical ventilation >24 hours. Interventions and measurements: Study group (weaning as the protocol) and control group (weaning as the clinicians' order); recording of clinical variables at admission and during RICU stay, and end-point variables (noninvasive mechanical ventilation day, RICU and hospital stay, RICU mortality. Expected results: the protocol group's noninvasive mechanical ventilation days is less than clinicians' order group.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. noninvasive mechanical ventilation > 24 hours.
2. age >18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. severe cerebraI，heart，hepatic and renal faiIure.
2. facial or cranial trauma or surgery.
3. facial abnormalities.
4. recent gastric or esophageal surgery.
5. active upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
6. large amount of sputum with weak cough ability
7. lack of co-operation.