Mechanical ventilation is a commonly used life-saving hospital procedure for patients with severe breathing difficulty. Some patients have difficulty separating from the ventilator and need to be removed gradually. This process is called ventilator weaning. It is not known what is the best way to wean patients from the ventilator. In this study, the investigators will compare two commonly used ventilator weaning strategies and compare their success. One ventilator strategy, the Pressure Support Ventilation weaning (PSV), combines 12 hours ventilator weaning with 12 hours rest on the ventilator. This strategy is faster with an anticipated weaning in 2 weeks. The other strategy, the Therapist implemented Patient Specific weaning (TIPS), gradually lowers support and weans in 3 weeks. Patients admitted to Barlow Respiratory Hospital (BRH) for ventilator weaning will be asked to participate in this study within 72 hours of hospital admission. Participants will undergo a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) to assess your ability to breathe while receiving minimal or no ventilator support. Patients who pass SBT will be eligible for cool aerosol trials (humidified, oxygenated air without positive pressure mechanical ventilation). Participants who fail SBT within 24 hours will be eligible for the study. Participants will be randomized to receive PSV or TIPS ventilator weaning. The investigators will collect clinical, laboratory and mechanical ventilator information throughout the study period. Ventilator weaning success will be compared at day 30. The study will not interfere with any components of clinical care but the study investigators will be allowed to change the ventilator weaning strategy from PSV to TIPS, if a participant is unable to tolerate PSV weaning.
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weaning success
Timeframe: 30 days