Home Mechanical Ventilation of Pediatric Patients / 대한마취과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the past patients who needed ventilatory care were treated in the hospital but now, thanks to advanced technology, those patients can be treated at their homes. This study was done to evaluate the clinical course of each patient and the effectiveness of home ventilatory care program. METHODS: We reviewed ten cases of ventilator - dependent children who were discharged from the pediatric intensive care unit since we started a home ventilatory care program. RESULTS: Six patients remained ventilator - dependent, three patients died and one patient cannot be reached. The clinical courses before home ventilatory care was decided were diverse. None of the patients needed hospital care related to complications of mechanical ventilatory care. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small number of patients and the short follow up duration, we concluded that ventilator-dependent children can be successfully managed at their homes.