What To Expect When You're Taken Off of a
Ventilator
“Weaning” is the process of taking you
off a ventilator so that you can start to breathe on your own. People usually
are weaned after they’ve recovered enough from the problem that caused
them to need the ventilator.
Weaning usually begins with a short trial. You stay
connected to the ventilator, but you’re given a chance to breathe on your
own. Most people are able to breathe on their own the first time weaning is
tried. Once you can successfully breathe on your own, the ventilator is
stopped.
If you can’t breathe on your own during the
short trial, weaning will be tried at a later time. If repeated weaning
attempts over a long time don’t work, you may need to use the ventilator
long term.
After you are weaned, the breathing tube is taken
out. You may cough while this is happening. Your voice may be hoarse for a
short time after the tube is taken out. |