The long term ventilator-dependent client: 35 years' experience.
The George Pearson Centre is a part of the British Columbia Rehabilitation Society. Twelve per cent of its 200 beds are long term ventilator-dependent clients. The range of years ventilated is one to 35. This paper addresses experience with the long term ventilator-dependent client. The care for these clients is based on appropriate sections of the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control Guidelines, relevant research and literature, and on the clinical experience of the Pearson team--infection control, medicine, nursing and respiratory therapy. The long term ventilator-dependent client differs greatly from the acute care intensive care unit ventilator-dependent patient. These aspects and related considerations are discussed. Finally, key components of the standards are presented.