By Nathaniel A. Miller, Ph.D. (Healthcare Writer, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
When patients are unable to breathe sufficiently on their own, mechanical ventilation may be required. Mechanical ventilation is the most common intervention used in patients admitted to ICUs (Intensive Care Units). Mechanical intervention saves lives in acute cases, but numerous studies document how prolonged mechanical ventilation can lead to a host of negative physical, financial, and mental outcomes for patients.