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department of Medicine

Section of pulmonary and critical care medicine

Programs and Services - Ventilator Rehabilitation

 

A unique combination of multidisciplinary medical expertise and advanced technology, the main function of the 10-bed Temple University Hospital VRU is to evaluate and treat the causes of chronic respiratory failure. With the shortage of donor organs a critical factor, the VRU can act as an alternative therapy or as a bridge to lung transplantation by strengthening patients preoperatively, and it can provide effective care postoperatively to enhance recovery.

 

Temple University Hospital's active VRU unit (250 patients over five years) rehabilitates patients with a goal of weaning them from respirators to assist them in living as independently and normally as possible in their home environment. Each patient has a 30- to 50-day length of stay.

 

Potential VRU candidates include:

  • Patients with chronic respiratory failure who may benefit from intermittent noninvasive mechanical ventilation
  • Patients currently mechanically ventilated with a tracheostomy tube who may be weaned from ventilator support
  • Patients who can be discharged home with some mechanical support and instruction


Pulmonologists, critical care physicians and nurses comprise the VRU team, along with a clinical coordinator for outpatient and inpatient activities. Respiratory, physical and speech therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nutritionists are also an integral part of the VRU team.