Implementation of a protocol for predicting successful extubation in critically ill patients

Methods Observational study performed in a 17 beds medicalsurgical ICU. Time of study was 18 months. Consecutive mechanically ventilated patients during more than 48 hours were included. The variables analyzed were age, sex, cause of the intubation, APACHE II at admission in ICU, vasoactive requirements, fluid balance, day of weaning, ICU length of stay, tracheotomy, rate of reintubation. We distinguish two subgroups according extubation strategy, based in physician ́s criteria vs protocol designed by a intensivist and nursing team including haemodynamic and respiratory parameters like: negative inspiratory force, maximal inspiratory pressure, f/VT, airway occlusion pressure at 0,1 second. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 22 for Windows.