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To compare the characteristics of patients treated with invasive prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) at home or in hospital long-term care (HLTC), specifically focusing on medical and functional status, caregiver strain, 6-month outcomes, and health maintenance organization (HMO) costs. Observational study. A single HLTC and home hospital, serving a defined catchment area in the greater Jerusalem area, Israel. A total of 120 PMV patients aged ≥18 years, all insurees of the same HMO. All PMV patients in the local HMO were approached, of whom 46 of 47 home PMV and 74/76 HLTC patients were enrolled. Medical and sociodemographic factors, Barthel Index, Short Geriatric Depression Score, modified Caregiver Strain Index; 6-month follow-up for hospitalization, infections, pressure sores, and mortality; HMO costs. Home PMV was associated with younger age, improved functional status, financial difficulty, less comorbidity, and longer duration of PMV. Primary reasons for home PMV were degenerative neuromuscular disease and chronic lung disease, compared with acute illnesses with or without resuscitation among HLTC patients. Most home patients were alert and able to communicate (n = 40/46) versus HLTC (n = 22/74), and reported less depression. Caregiver strain was similar for home and HLTC. Among HLTC versus home patients, 6-month mortality (27% vs 7%, P =.012) and frequency of pressure sores (45% vs. 29%, P =.042) were higher in HLTC, with no differences for infection rates or hospitalization. In multivariate analyses, being treated at home with PMV was significantly associated with being able to communicate, lower age, financial difficulties, and improved functional status. HMO costs were one-third for home PMV versus HLTC. Differing profiles were described for home and HLTC PMV patients, with lower rates of depression, pressure sores, mortality, and one-third the cost to HMO at home. Caregiver strain was similar irrespective of site of care. With appropriate targeting for eligible patients, home PMV is a viable and financially beneficial option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Outcomes for patients undergoing prolonged mechanical ventilation remain less than desirable; costs, morbidity, and mortality are notably high. Therefore, patients should be weaned from mechanical ventilation as soon as possible. Weaning is a complex process in the case of elderly patients with comorbidities on prolonged mechanical ventilation. Aims: To determine predictors of successful weaning off prolonged mechanical ventilation among the elderly patients. Methodology: It is a retrospective chart review study. Medical records of 58 patients in the respiratory care unit of a large long-term care facility for the elderly in central Israel, divided to those successfully weaned off prolonged mechanical ventilation and those whose weaning had failed, were analyzed for their demographic and clinical data. Twenty-eight patients had been successfully weaned. Results: Twenty-eight patients had been successfully weaned. Successful SBT (spontaneous breathing trial), less comorbidities, and lower PCO2 levels one month post-admission, were found as significant predictors of successful weaning off prolonged mechanical ventilation among the elderly patients. Conclusion: These factors might serve as a predictive tool of weaning outcome of the elderly patients from prolonged mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study objective was to evaluate endotracheal tubes (ETT) from extubated adult patients and compare them to new, unused, size-matched control tubes for changes in inspiratory resistance (Rinsp) and peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) before and immediately after suctioning with the Airway Medix Closed Suction System (AMCSS) (Biovo Technologies, 2013 Tel Aviv, Israel). Sixteen ETTs were recovered from predominantly medical patients who had required intubation and mechanical ventilation for more than 12 hours. ETTs were evaluated within 4.5 hours of extubation. Readings were taken during square wave flow, at rates of 40 and 60 l/minute. Cleaning of extubated ETTs using the AMCSS was able to restore them to almost original conditions in terms of Rinsp and PIP. The examined ETTs included tubes of various sizes ranging from internal diameter (ID) 7 to 8.5 mm and intubation periods ranging from 12 hours to 21 days. The mean Rinsp for the used and uncleaned ETTs was equivalent to 275% of the Rinsp of sized-matched new and unused ETTs. For 8 mm ID ETTs this was comparable to a measured Rinsp of a 5 mm tube. Following a single cleaning episode with the AMCSS, Rinsp decreased, regaining an effective ETT ID of a 7.5 to 8 mm tube. A single suctioning episode with this device resulted in a significant reduction in Rinsp, virtually restoring original flow variable values. The AMCSS represents a novel technology in closed suction systems, designed to achieve more effective inner lumen cleaning in prolonged mechanical ventilation.