Background: This consensus statement was developed based on the understanding that patients with advanced lung or heart disease are not being treated consistently and effectively for relief of dyspnea.
The Medical Director of Respiratory Care and/or Pulmonary Function Laboratory shall be a licensed physician who has special interest and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory problems.
Chapter 1. Introduction: New Developments In most patients, mechanical ventilation is a short-term treatment used for up to 7 days to support or replace spontaneous breathing until the cause of respiratory failure resolves or results in death.