The use of mechanical ventilation in hospitalizations of Veteran PLWD was lower than seen in non-VA facilities and decreased from 2010 to 2019. Among hospitalized Veteran PLWD who received mechanical ventilation, in-hospital and one-year mortality remained high throughout the study period but decreased over time. These descriptive mortality decreases may be attributable to patient selection or improved mechanical ventilation practices. Further research should examine patient- and system-level factors to explain observed trends.
Vick et al. (Wed,) studied this question.