Assisted ventilation to prolong life: a matter of choice

The abstract:

For patients with progressive neuromuscular disease or advanced COPD, assisted ventilation, decreases the rate of pulmonary function decline, prolongs overall survival, relieves symptoms of breathlessness and improve patient sleep and quality of life. However, assisted ventilation has negative consequences such as discomfort, development of pressure ulcers (associated mask interfaces), communication difficulties, impaired mobility and a greater level of caregiver burden. To allow for informed decision-making, healthcare professionals need to support patients and their caregivers in understanding the potential benefits, drawbacks and limitations of assisted ventilation. This seminar will review the current evidence-base for commencing and withdrawing assisted ventilation and consider the ethical and legal aspects of informed decision-making in this context.

About the speaker :

Dr Louise Rose, RN, PhD, FAAN is a Professor of Nursing at Kings College London, UK and holds the TD Nursing Professorship in Critical Care Research based at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada. Dr Rose is an honorary professor at the Lane Fox Respiratory Unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and is the Research Director for the Provincial Centre of Weaning Excellence at the Michal Garron Hospital, Toronto, Canada. She is a PhD prepared nurse with an active research program and over 120 peer-reviewed publications focused on improving outcomes and experience of the ventilated patient in diverse settings including the intensive care unit, emergency department, specialized weaning centre, long-term care, and the community.

About the series: 

This event is FREE TO ATTEND - no need to register!       

CPD (1 credit) Royal College of Physicians      

The series aim is to optimise opportunities for local, national and international networking within palliative care and rehabilitation. We facilitate seminars to assist in improving practice, education and policy, and the integration of research and clinical endeavours.