IMPROVING PATIENT TOLERANCE OF MECHANICAL VENTILATION - CHALLENGES AHEAD

Endotracheal intubation imposes a considerable barrier to communication between mechanically ventilated patients and their caregivers. As a consequence, surprisingly little is known about the experience of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Even less is known about how to improve that experience. This article proposes seven issues that must be addressed if critical care clinicians are to achieve the Hippocratic commitment ''to do away with sufferings of the sick and to lessen the violence of their diseases'' in the intensive care unit.