Creation of an intermediate respiratory care unit to decrease intensive care utilization.

Patients requiring specialized respiratory care often have lengthy stays in the intensive/critical care settings. Financial constraints, patient flow, unit management, and limited resources make finding alternative sites for the care of patients on long-term ventilator (LTV) essential. The authors discuss the efforts of a multidisciplinary team that created, implemented, and evaluated an evidence-based respiratory care unit for LTV patients. The nursing staff development required as part of this initiative is described.