TABLE 3.

Transition from prolonged mechanical ventilation to long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV)

Criteria that should define transition	%
Patient stability from a physiological perspective	100
Establishment of a transition plan	95
Option of withdrawal of care is discussed	95
Acceptance and motivation of the patient based on informed choice	92
Redefinition of the goals of care/care plan	90
Patient’s prognosis	87
Requirement for invasive mechanical ventilation on an indefinite basis	87
Patient care needs can be managed in a community or a long-term care facility	85
Capability of the healthcare team to manage LTMV	85
Acceptance/motivation of family/informal caregivers based on informed choice	82
Likelihood of acceptable quality of life	82
Availability of an appropriate interface (eg, facemask or tracheostomy)	80
Patient’s diagnosis	77
Requirement for noninvasive ventilation on an indefinite basis	77
Patient’s inability to participate in decisions (ie, if persistent vegetative state or similar, should not be classified as LTMV)	76
Availability of appropriate resources	74
Availability of a transition placement	74
Family desire to assume care	71
Criteria that should NOT define transition
Patient demographic characteristics	87
Family resources	84
Potential impact on hospital resources	82