Ventilator Rehabilitation Program

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation provides specialized care and education for patients who require temporary or chronic mechanical ventilation due to an illness or injury, including complications from COVID-19.

Our Ventilator Rehabilitation Program seeks to improve the physical and emotional well-being of adults and children requiring ventilatory assistance through education, specialized knowledge, compassionate care and advanced technology.

Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation may be necessary in some spinal cord or brain injury patients, those with neuromuscular disease, COVID-19 and those dealing with complications of premature birth or congenital disorders.

We can provide support for these patients through:

• Weaning from mechanical ventilation
• Optimization of ventilator settings
• Tracheostomy changes and care
• Physical, occupational and speech therapies with specialized goals for ventilator patients
• Licensed respiratory therapists 24 hours a day
• Patient and family education for return to the community
• Separate pediatric and adult facilities accredited by the Joint Commission and CARF
• Assessment for respiratory pacer therapy

Respiratory Pacer Therapy

Respiratory pacer therapy can benefit certain patients who require chronic mechanical ventilation. Respiratory pacers stimulate the diaphragm to allow the patient to breathe normally without a mechanical ventilator. The pacer is implanted either on the phrenic nerve (the nerve which connects to the diaphragm) or in the muscle of the diaphragm itself. Patients, especially those with spinal cord and brain injuries, ALS and other neuromuscular diseases, may benefit from this technology through improved mobility and quality of life.