Organization of Home Mechanical Ventilation in Portugal: Characterization of current centers and a pathway to uniformization

Abstract Introduction Home Mechanical Ventilation (HMV) is increasing worldwide. Objective Characterization of the Portuguese HMV Units. Methods The HMV Team Group of the Portuguese Pulmonology Society prepared a questionnaire that was sent by e-mail addressed to Pneumology Department Directors throughout the country, and the responses were then analyzed. The results enabled a provisional classification of the Units, which followed specific criteria. Results Thirty centers were surveyed, of which 60% (18) sent the answers to the questionnaire. As for the results obtained, only one center was considered as a basic unit. Most centers (14/18) were considered specialized units. 3/18 centers were classified as highly complex multidisciplinary units. Of the 12 centers that did not answer the questionnaire, one refused to do it and another center was in transition period. Conclusions Analysis of the results reveals the high number of patients treated with HMV in Portugal, supports the importance of creating protocols to standardize HMV countrywide, and audit its practice through the creation of a national register.