Grant: CIHR New Investigator

The number of individuals that require prolonged and long term mechanical ventilation (PMV/LTMV) (breathing support) as a result of acute illness or progression of chronic disease continues to rise. Currently in the Canadian health care system there is insufficient capacity to deliver care to ventilator-assisted individuals in both the acute and chronic care sectors. As well, significant barriers exist to the negotiation of transition point in the health care system e.g., transitioning from acute to chronic care needs. This results in suboptimal care, decreased quality of life for individuals and their families, and inappropriate use of expensive and limited acute care resources. This project, developed through consultation with multi-professional experts in mechanical ventilation, will enable and inform seamless integrated care, development of clinical best practices, identification of health information needs of patients and families and description of health care use and costs. We propose to explore these issues for individuals (a) at-risk for LTMV in the community, (b) requiring LTMV in the community, (c) requiring PMV/LTMV in an institution; and (d) transitioning from paediatric to adult care requirements. We will conduct our project in four stages. We will meet our study objectives through the conduct of expert surveys to define key transition points, the development of a national inventory of providers of services to individuals at risk, or requiring PMV/LTMV, national surveys, and interviews of patients and families. Through the conduct of this project we will establish a national network focused on improving care delivery for our target population thus promoting collaboration and partnerships across health sectors, professions, and jurisdictions, as well as sharing of best practices to improve health outcomes, patient safety, and quality of life for our target population across the continuum of care.