[Weaning in the out-of-hospital setting: a Scoping Review].

Abstract

In 2021, a transitional form of housing for outpatient weaning was certified based on paragraph 17 of the Bavarian Law on Quality Assurance of Care and Housing. In order to get an overview over the research field, we carried out a scoping review. In particular, we focussed on two research questions: 1. What are the factors that contribute to the quality of life of people receiving artificial respiration in an outpatient setting? 2. Which factors necessitate weaning in an outpatient setting and what are the conditions that facilitate weaning?Seven data bases were searched with defined search terms. After two extractions, 401 matches were found. On the basis of an analysis of these abstracts, the results were systematically categorized. In order to answer the research questions, the topic "intensive and respiration care" was chosen for closer analysis; 120 texts were analysed more thoroughly.Results showed that we do not have sufficient data to answer the research questions in a satisfactory manner. The quality of life of ventilated people was found to be heterogenous, but self-determination and empathetic communication between the relevant institutions, on the one hand, and patients, on the other, clearly enhanced it. What was also beneficial was the inclusion of patients in social networks. What was obviously negative was the lack of competent personnel. It was also observed that the weaning potentials in outpatient care were not sufficiently made use of. Intersectoral care concepts are being discussed.The issues of intensive outpatient care as well as weaning and the question of how a self-determined and satisfactory life can be achieved have hardly been evaluated. Moreover, the terms quality of life and self-determination in this setting have hardly been operationalized. Further research is necessary. Nonetheless, self-determination appears to contribute to the life quality of seriously ill patients.