Table 2.

Outcome comparison between the study groups, according to admission diagnosis

Outcomes	Protocol-directed weaning group (cases)	Physician-directed weaning group (controls)	P
Mechanical ventilation duration (days)
Medicine	15.3 ± 13	23 ± 22.6	0.02
Surgery	19.1 ± 15.2	17.4 ± 13.7	0.72
Neurosurgery	18.9 ± 12.8	26.3 ± 23.1	0.29
COPD	14.1 ± 14.6	24.9 ± 24	0.33
Combined	16.6 ± 13	22.5 ± 21	0.02
ICU length of stay (days)
Medicine	20.1 ± 13.7	27.7 ± 23	0.02
Surgery	25 ± 17	23.3 ± 15.4	0.72
Neurosurgery	23 ± 13	34 ± 24	0.09
COPD	20.4 ± 14.6	28.5 ± 25	0.47
Combined	21.6 ± 14.3	27.6 ± 21.7	0.02

Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. COPD, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease; ICU, intensive care unit.