Improving comfort care for older adults during ventilator withdrawal in ICUs
Intensive Palliative Care: Improving the Process of Palliative Ventilator Withdrawal Among Critically Ill Older Adults
This study is looking at how to make the process of stopping ventilator support easier and more compassionate for older patients in intensive care, by listening to their experiences and those of their healthcare providers, so that everyone can feel more comfortable and cared for during this difficult time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10810798 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the process of palliative ventilator withdrawal (PVW) for critically ill older adults in intensive care units (ICUs). It aims to understand the experiences of patients and the perspectives of healthcare providers by following 150 mechanically ventilated patients over 60 years old in two Boston hospitals. The study will also develop a Comfort Measures Only Time out (CMOT) intervention to ensure that patients receive appropriate care and symptom relief during this challenging transition. By addressing the unique needs of older patients, the research seeks to reduce suffering and improve the quality of end-of-life care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are critically ill patients aged 60 and older who are mechanically ventilated in an ICU setting.
Not a fit: Patients who are not critically ill or those who are younger than 60 years old may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved comfort and reduced distress for older patients undergoing ventilator withdrawal.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has highlighted the need for improved palliative care practices in ICUs, but this specific focus on PVW in older adults is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fehnel, Corey R — Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
- Study coordinator: Fehnel, Corey R
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 below.