Ventilator Weaning and Management

Children and adolescents with higher cervical level spinal cord injuries (C5 or above) may require a ventilator to either breathe for them or assist with breathing. Our staff is experienced with spinal cord injury-related ventilator requirements and have the ability  to identify respiratory needs and adjust settings as appropriate. Our staff is also experienced with proper ventilator weaning protocols and procedures should the patient be a candidate to breathe on his/her own and no longer require the ventilator.

Daily respiratory rounds consist of team of medical specialists. Respiratory requirements, ventilator settings, and patient’s abilities are reviewed daily and ventilator settings and treatment are adjusted accordingly.

Patients on ventilators may also be evaluated for an implantable phrenic nerve stimulator, which, similar to a pacemaker for a heart, will stimulate the nerve that goes to the diaphragm and cause it to move, therefore providing a breath. This breathing system allows the patient  to breathe independent of the ventilator.