Weaning, also known as a "weaning trial" or "spontaneous breathing trial," is the process of getting the person off the ventilator. These trials are done daily to see if the person is ready to come off the ventilator. If these trials go well, the breathing tube from the patient’s throat is removed. The patient will be watched carefully for a period of time to be certain that the weaning is working and will be sustainable. This process is called extubation.
Average time to ventilator liberation varies with the severity and type of illness or injury but typically ranges from 16 to 37 days after intubation for respiratory failure. If the patient fails to wean from ventilator dependence within 60 days, they will probably not do so later.
Weaning is normally done in an LTACH or a Skilled Nursing Facility under the guidance of a Pulmonologist or a Registered Respiratory Therapist.