Improving care for patients with acute respiratory failure at the end of life
Official title: Optimizing Time-Limited Trials of Mechanical Ventilation in Acute Respiratory Failure: A Mixed Methods Observational Study
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11077805 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to improve care for patients with severe breathing problems, especially those who are close to the end of their lives, by trying out short-term treatment plans that help everyone involved—patients, families, and doctors—make better decisions together about what care is best for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $667,884 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168474-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077805 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from acute respiratory failure who are facing end-of-life decisions and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing acute respiratory failure or those who are not at the end of life may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the care provided to patients experiencing acute respiratory failure, particularly those nearing the end of life. It focuses on implementing time-limited trials, which involve a temporary agreement between patients, their families, and healthcare providers to assess the effectiveness of life-sustaining treatments over a set period. By examining communication and decision-making processes in the ICU, the study aims to create better care delivery models that align with patients' needs and preferences. The approach includes observational methods to gather insights from patients, families, and healthcare teams about their experiences and outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved end-of-life care for patients with acute respiratory failure, ensuring that treatment aligns more closely with their values and wishes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using time-limited trials in ICU settings, indicating that this approach could be beneficial, although it remains underutilized and requires further formalization.
Where this research is happening
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University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kruser, Jacqueline Marie — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Kruser, Jacqueline Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Optimizing Time-Limited Trials of Ventilation in Acute Respiration Failure
Aimed at patients with acute respiratory failure, this project looks at how short-term trials of life-support in the ICU can be better planned and communicated.
-
Using a simple breathing test to check lung function after kids’ acute respiratory failure
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Financial hardship in acute respiratory failure patients and their family caregivers
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Understanding which patients and hospital care pathways affect outcomes after ICU vs ward care for ARF and sepsis
A big study using hospital records to figure out which patients with acute respiratory failure and sepsis do best when admitted to ICUs versus general wards.
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Using a simple breathing test to check how kids recover lung function after severe lung illness
A study will test a quick, noninvasive breathing test called oscillometry to see how well children who survived dangerous lung problems recover over time.
-
Breathing effort and ventilator safety in severe respiratory failure
This research looks at how a person's own breathing effort affects lung and diaphragm injury for adults on ventilators for acute respiratory failure.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.