Assisted ventilation of patients is a common occurence in the hospital setting. although this is not the case in the community, the number of such patients is on the increase. the author reflects this trend and discusses the planning necessary for the successful discharge of ventilator-assisted individuals. the problems encountered with one such patient are outlined in an accompanying case study

People now have more choice about where they would like to be cared for, with many preferring to be cared for at home. For all medical specialties, the length of hospital stay halved between 1966 and 1986 (1), which suggests people are being discharged quicker and sicker into the community.