What is Long-Term Ventilation?

Long-term ventilation refers to ventilatory support for those who are unable to breathe on their own, for part or all of the day, on an on-going basis. Ventilatory support can be provided non-invasively through a mask, or invasively through a tracheostomy.

Ventilator assisted individuals can live in the community, in complex continuing care facilities or in acute care hospitals. In the acute care setting, such as an intensive care unit, some patients become medically stable but cannot be weaned from the ventilator. For such individuals, the transition to a level of care that promotes more independence is an important step in improving their quality of life.