Montreal Chest Institute
Kiragoin [at] excite.com (Dr Sandra Dial) , Director
This program is based at the 7-bed intensive care unit of the Montreal Chest Institute. The program, in place since 1985, serves as a referral centre for patients who are unable to be weaned from mechanical ventilation at other institutions. The goal of the program is to reverse dependence on the ventilator and to enhance the patient's quality of life.
The success of the program is attributed to work of a multidisciplinary team including clinicians and researchers, whose commitment and expertise have permitted its high success rates. The team includes intensivists, nurses, pharmacist, social worker, dietitian, pastoral services, respiratory therapists, physiotherapy as well as occupational and art therapy.
Please note that patients return to their referring hospital once they have been successfully weaned, or when it becomes clear that weaning will not be possible. In order to ensure that all parties understand this policy, we require a letter of confirmation by the referring physician, countersigned by the patient or their surrogate (next-of-kin, curator).