Caring For The Ventilator Dependent Child

This book is an important new resource for clinicians caring for ventilator dependent children, who often have complex health care needs, are supported by advanced technology and are at high-risk of serious complications. Despite the complicated health care needs of children who rely on chronic respiratory support, there are few guidelines and little evidence available to guide the clinicians who care for these patients. This book covers the many aspects involved in the care of these complex children, with input from experts in the fields of pediatric pulmonology, intensive care, ethics, respiratory therapy, and nursing. In depth chapters provide an introduction to the use of chronic invasive and non-invasive ventilation in children and describe and review what is known about methods of delivering ventilator support, care of the chronically ventilated patient in the community , use of chronic ventilator support in patients with disorders commonly leading to respiratory failure and outcomes for patients and their caregivers. This book is intended to be useful not only for pediatric pulmonologists, but also for intensivists, cardiologists, physical medicine/rehabilitation specialists, nurses, respiratory therapists and the primary care physicians involved in the complexities of managing care for this unique group of special needs children.

Increasingly, speech-language pathologists have been working with individuals who have tracheostomy and/or ventilator dependency. This new book covers all the basic science and clinical concepts that speech-language pathologists need to know to effectively manage these patients. You'll find expert discussions of a full range of topics: tracheostomy tubes & mechanical ventilators; complications associated with tracheostomy; ethical issues; speaking & swallowing options; and more! Plus, unique to this book, you'll find pulmonary and critical care topics integrated with the communication and swallowing information-an essential feature for speech-language pathologists who require a clear, concise reference for understanding respiratory physiology and mechanical ventilation. Highlights include: Numerous case studies, illustrations, and algorithms give you the information you need to be effective in a clinical setting Clinical competencies for assessing and measuring staff performance-essential in today's health care environment Everything you need to know to understand how to manage tracheostomy and ventilator dependency in one user-friendly volume Extensive coverage of ethical issues, pediatric considerations, and post-hospitalization care Tracheostomy and Ventilator Dependency: Management of Breathing, Speaking, and Swallowing is a must-have clinical reference for SLP's looking for a comprehensive, integrated approach to the management of these difficult cases. Written by experts in the field, you'll find it to be an invaluable guide to understanding the interdependencies of breathing, speaking, and swallowing.