Standardized Tracheostomy Weaning Protocol for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation
China250 participantsStarted 2025-01-01
Plain-language summary
This study evaluated the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a standardized weaning protocol for tracheostomized patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. The protocol was delivered in a specialized weaning unit of a tertiary rehabilitation hospital and combined early noninvasive ventilation, progressive high-flow oxygen therapy through the tracheostomy tube, spontaneous breathing trials when appropriate, and stepwise reduction of ventilatory support. The main outcome was successful liberation from mechanical ventilation within 60 days.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18 years or older;
* Tracheostomy in place at the time of referral or enrollment;
* Prolonged mechanical ventilation, defined according to the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care consensus as the need for invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 6 hours per day for at least 21 consecutive days;
* Consecutively referred or admitted to the specialized weaning unit between January 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025 for active weaning rehabilitation;
* Written informed consent provided by the participant or the participant's legally authorized representative.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Referral intended solely for clinical stabilization before discharge to home or nursing care rather than for an active weaning attempt;
* End-stage disease with life expectancy of less than 3 months;
* Death or discharge within 14 days after referral;
* Refusal to provide informed consent.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Percentage of Participants With Successful Weaning Within 60 Days
Timeframe: From enrollment to 60 days after enrollment