CORE GUIDELINES FOR THE DISCHARGE HOME OF THE CHILD ON LONG-TERM ASSISTED VENTILATION IN THE UNITED-KINGDOM

Paediatric home ventilation is a feasible option and can be successful in a wide range of conditions and ages. Advances in ventilator techno logy and an ethos of optimism for home care has increased the possibil ities for discharging chronically ventilated children from intensive c are units and acute medical beds. With careful planning the process ca n succeed, but difficulties often thwart the responsible team, especia lly when attempting discharge for the first time. These core guideline s aim to assist a smooth, swift and successful transfer. They were dev eloped by a working party of interested professionals spanning a wide range of health care disciplines and represent a synthesis of views ac cumulated from the experiences of individual teams throughout the UK. Three case scenarios provide further illustrative detail and guidance.