Ventilator & Respiratory Care
Ventilator & Respiratory Care in Michigan
24/7 pulmonologist-directed ventilator management, tracheostomy care, and aggressive respiratory weaning protocols — delivered by one of Michigan’s few physician-owned rehab centers with dedicated ventilator capability.
Advanced Ventilator Management & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Many skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities are unable to accept patients on ventilators. Maple Manor Rehab and Neuro Center is different. Our Respiratory and Ventilator Program is one of the most comprehensive in the Metro Detroit region, overseen daily by a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist who directs every aspect of ventilator management, weaning, and respiratory rehabilitation.
We take an aggressive, multi-disciplinary team approach to ventilator rehabilitation. Our goal is clear: wean patients from ventilator dependence as safely and quickly as possible, restore respiratory function, and help patients transition to the least restrictive level of breathing support — whether that means tracheostomy decannulation, transition to BiPAP/CPAP, or return to independent breathing.
Our respiratory therapy team is on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, alongside board-certified physicians, registered nurses, and the full interdisciplinary therapy team. This level of around-the-clock respiratory coverage is rare in the post-acute setting and is a key reason hospital case managers refer complex ventilator patients to Maple Manor.
Our Respiratory & Ventilator Services
Comprehensive respiratory care from ventilator-dependent patients to those recovering from pulmonary illness.
Ventilator Management
Full-time mechanical ventilation management for patients who require continuous or intermittent support. Our respiratory team monitors settings, arterial blood gases, and pulmonary function continuously with daily pulmonologist review.
Ventilator Weaning Program
Structured, physician-directed weaning protocols that gradually reduce ventilator dependence through progressive breathing trials, respiratory muscle strengthening, and continuous physiological monitoring.
Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
Comprehensive tracheostomy management including site care, tube changes, cuff management, speaking valve trials (Passy-Muir), and systematic decannulation protocols.
BiPAP / CPAP Management
Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for patients transitioning from mechanical ventilation or managing chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, sleep apnea, or neuromuscular weakness.
Oxygen Therapy & Monitoring
Supplemental oxygen management with continuous pulse oximetry monitoring. Therapists titrate delivery to optimize saturation while progressing toward reduced oxygen dependence when appropriate.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Exercise-based respiratory rehabilitation including breathing exercises, airway clearance techniques, endurance training, and patient education — coordinated with PT and OT for whole-patient recovery.
Led by a Board-Certified Pulmonologist & Intensivist
Our program is directed by a physician who is dual board-certified in pulmonary medicine and critical care. Ventilator patients at Maple Manor receive the same caliber of pulmonary oversight found in hospital ICU settings — but in a rehabilitation-focused environment designed for recovery and weaning, not just stabilization. The pulmonologist works on-site daily alongside the Evangelista physician team, respiratory therapists, and nursing staff.
Our Ventilator Weaning Approach
A structured, evidence-based protocol tailored to each patient’s respiratory status, medical complexity, and recovery trajectory.
Comprehensive Pulmonary Assessment
Upon admission, the pulmonologist performs a thorough respiratory evaluation — ventilator history, lung function, secretion management, nutritional status, and identification of weaning barriers such as infection, fluid overload, or deconditioning.
Individualized Weaning Protocol
The physician team develops a customized plan with specific ventilator mode progressions, spontaneous breathing trial schedules, and physiological parameters that must be met before advancing.
Progressive Breathing Trials
Respiratory therapists conduct daily spontaneous breathing trials with continuous monitoring of respiratory rate, tidal volume, oxygen saturation, and patient tolerance. Duration is progressively increased as respiratory muscles strengthen.
Multidisciplinary Support
Physical therapists work on respiratory muscle conditioning. Speech therapists assess swallowing and initiate speaking valve trials. Nutritionists optimize caloric intake. Every discipline contributes to the weaning process.
Ventilator Liberation & Transition
Once the patient demonstrates sustained independent breathing, the team progresses toward ventilator liberation and, when appropriate, tracheostomy decannulation. Post-weaning therapy continues to strengthen endurance and prevent setbacks.
Respiratory Conditions We Manage
Our respiratory care program serves patients with a wide range of pulmonary and ventilator-related conditions:
Why Choose Maple Manor for Ventilator Care
Hospital case managers and families choose Maple Manor because we provide ICU-caliber respiratory oversight in a rehabilitation-focused environment.
Pulmonologist On-Site Daily
Our board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist is on-site daily — not weekly rounds — to assess ventilator patients and guide the weaning process in real-time.
24/7 Respiratory Therapy Coverage
Licensed respiratory therapists are on duty around the clock. Ventilator alarms, suctioning needs, and breathing trials are handled immediately — day or night.
High Ventilator Weaning Success
Our structured weaning protocols and daily physician involvement produce high rates of successful ventilator liberation and tracheostomy decannulation.
Accepts Complex Medical Cases
Ventilator patients often have multiple co-occurring conditions. Maple Manor has the nursing depth and physician coverage to manage the full clinical picture.
Physician Family-Owned
The Evangelista physicians own and operate Maple Manor. Clinical decisions are driven by patient outcomes, not corporate administrative metrics.
Limited Beds — Personalized Attention
Our ventilator unit is intentionally small and admission is case-by-case, ensuring concentrated, individualized care from the respiratory and physician team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maple Manor accept ventilator-dependent patients?
Yes. Maple Manor is one of the few skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Michigan that accepts patients on mechanical ventilation. Our ventilator unit has limited space and each admission is reviewed case-by-case by the physicians and Director of Admissions. Contact us at (248) 624-8800 to discuss a potential placement.
How long does ventilator weaning typically take?
The timeline varies based on the underlying condition, duration of ventilator dependence, respiratory muscle strength, and overall medical complexity. Some patients wean within weeks, while others with prolonged dependence may require a longer, more gradual approach. Our pulmonologist sets individualized milestones for each patient.
What happens if a patient cannot be weaned from the ventilator?
For patients who require long-term ventilator support, Maple Manor provides ongoing management focused on quality of life, comfort, infection prevention, and maximizing whatever level of respiratory independence is achievable.
Can Maple Manor manage tracheostomy patients without a ventilator?
Absolutely. Many of our respiratory patients have tracheostomies but are not ventilator-dependent. We provide full tracheostomy care, speaking valve assessments, and decannulation protocols for patients at all stages of recovery.
What insurance covers ventilator care at Maple Manor?
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, most commercial insurance plans, and Michigan auto no-fault insurance. Our admissions team verifies coverage and obtains authorization prior to admission.
How are referrals for ventilator patients handled?
Referrals typically come from hospital ICU case managers. The hospital sends medical records electronically via ECIN/Allscripts or by fax to (248) 624-8810. Families can also call our admissions line directly.
Discuss a Ventilator Patient Referral
Our admissions team and physicians are available to review complex respiratory cases and determine whether Maple Manor is the right fit.
Fax records to (248) 624-8810 or send via ECIN / Allscripts
Contact Us →