Long-term mechanical ventilation equipment for neuromuscular patients: meeting the expectations of patients and prescribers.

Background: To maximize the likelihood of successful long-term mechanical ventilation (MV) in patients with neuromuscular diseases, ventilator characteristics and settings must be chosen carefully, taking into account both medical requisites and the patient's preference and comfort.

Objectives: To evaluate patients' knowledge about and comfort with their long-term MV; to compare patients' and prescribers' opinions and expectations regarding long-term MV; and to compare the equipment used by the patients to the prescribers' current MV prescription.

Methods: Neuromuscular patients receiving long-term MV, and home MV prescribers in Belgium and France were asked to respond to a questionnaire survey specifically developed for the study.