Among patients receiving prolonged mechanical ventilation at an LTACH, 53.7% were detached from the ventilator at discharge and 1-year survival was 66.9%. Respiratory strength was well maintained, whereas peripheral strength was severely impaired throughout hospitalization. Six months after discharge, improvement in muscle function enabled patients to perform daily activities, and 84.7% indicated willingness to undergo mechanical ventilation again. At discharge, 53.7% of patients were detached from the ventilator and 1-year survival was 66.9%. Between discharge and 6 months, Katz activities-of-daily-living summary score improved by 64.4%; improvement in Katz summary score was related to improvement in handgrip strength. This was a prospective, longitudinal study conducted in 315 patients being weaned from prolonged ventilation at an LTACH.

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