Description:

At one time, people who required ventilators to breathe had to live permanently in hospital. Now, thanks to programs like West Park's Home Ventilation Assessment and Training Service, many can live in the community.

Members of the West Park team train patients and caregivers how to deal with personal and equipment needs and handle emergency situations. They also suggest modifications for community living, mobility and communication devices, to help patients live as comfortably, safely and independently as possible.

This service provides:

• Assessment and training on the use of ventilators in a home setting for the purpose of enhancing independence upon the patient's return to the community;
• Education and training for both the patient and caregiver(s) about the disease, how to care for personal and equipment needs and how to handle emergency situations;
• Recommendations by the service team for modifications to community living environments and for mobility and communication devices to enhance a patient's independence;
• Assistance with arrangements for community support services, including referrals to qualified local physicians for ongoing medical follow-up;
• Regularly after discharge, then every 12 months, patients return for follow-up reassessments; short-stay re-admission may be offered if necessary;
• Access to Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funding for ventilatory support equipment;
• An Oxygen Clinic and Tracheostomy Clinic are available on an out-patient basis to provide follow up for patients able to live in the community.

Transitional Living | Lungs and Breathing

The cost of the service is covered for patients with a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card issued by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. See "Additional Information" for more detail on other costs.

Eligibility: Patients of West Park's Home Ventilator Training Service are 18 years of age and older who require mechanical ventilation for all or part of the day. (see "Referral requirements" for more detail).

Candidates for West Park's Home Ventilator Training Service are:

• 18 years of age and older who require mechanical ventilation for all or part of the day;
• Willing to participate in the program;
• Medically stable;
• Cognitively stable (or have a documented substitute decision-maker);
• Able to direct their own care;
• Able to return to the community with established discharge support.

For further information on this service or to make an appointment, please call a Respiratory Services Care Co-ordinator at 416-243-3600, ext. 4765 or 4745.

For further information on this service or to make an appointment, please call a Respiratory Services Care Co-ordinator at 416-243-3600, ext. 4765 or 4745.

The cost of medical and professional care in standard ward accommodation (where three to four people share one room) is covered for patients with a valid Ontario Health Card issued by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

In-patients unable to return to an independent lifestyle upon completion of the program and who are awaiting placement in a facility that provides an appropriate level of care will be charged a daily chronic care co-payment set by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. For information on this fee, please contact our Financial Services office at 416-243-3600 ext. 2074.