Long-term Ventilation Clinic

The Long-term Ventilation (LTV) program is a multidisciplinary clinic within the Division of Respiratory Medicine. The program provides comprehensive consultation and ongoing management for children receiving long-term ventilation at home, as well as for those children who are at risk of requiring long-term ventilation. The aim of our program is to optimize the care of these children at home and to support their families in the community.

What do we offer?

• Long-term follow-up of children receiving long-term ventilation at home, which includes access to the LTV team in between clinic visits for clinical inquiries and respiratory equipment support
• Access to specialty testing which may include diagnostic sleep studies, ventilation titrations in the sleep lab and lung function testing
• Inpatient and outpatient consultation and support to families who are considering long-term ventilation for their child
• Caregiver training for home ventilator equipment and airway clearance therapies in collaboration with the Connected Care Program
• Transition to home planning and care coordination with the Intensive Care Units and Holland Bloorview Rehabilitation Hospital
• Integration of care with community services including nursing at home and at school
• Inpatient collaboration with medical and surgical specialists
• Transition program to adult care services developed in partnership with West Park Healthcare Center and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center

Please bring all the respiratory equipment that your child is prescribed. This may include:

• Oximeter
• Ventilator, tubing and mask
• Cough Assist, tubing and mask
• Suction machine
• Oxygen therapy
• Any other medical equipment, supplies or medications your child may require during the visit

Visits are scheduled to last about an hour, but unexpected delays may lead to a longer stay. Before the clinic visit, pulmonary function testing may be required to assess lung function. This will be ordered and organized by the LTV team in advance if applicable. Our team will complete a respiratory assessment which includes checking your child’s oxygen saturations and carbon dioxide (with nasal prongs). If your child is on respiratory technology, we will check equipment functionality and use and provide technology related support. Together, we will have time to review any testing and assessments completed and discuss any questions you may have about your child’s respiratory health.

Helpful resources

• Canadian Thoracic Society Pediatric Home Ventilation Guideline
• Muscular Dystrophy Canada
• Ontario’s Ventilator Equipment Pool

AboutKidsHealth articles

• Sleep studies: Having a polysomnogram
• Positive airway pressure (PAP)
• Tracheostomy care for children: For family caregivers and homecare providers
• Cough assist machine: How it helps to clear mucus from the lungs