SBT
Also written as: SBT — Spontaneous Breathing Trial
Spontaneous breathing trial used to assess a patient's readiness for ventilator discontinuation and extubation.
Full Definition
A spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) is a structured assessment where a patient breathes independently with minimal or no ventilator support to evaluate their ability to sustain spontaneous ventilation. During an SBT, patients typically breathe through a T-piece, tracheostomy collar, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 cmH2O or less for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Respiratory therapists monitor vital signs, gas exchange, respiratory pattern, and signs of distress during the trial. Successful completion of an SBT, along with other weaning criteria, indicates readiness for extubation. Failed SBTs help identify areas needing improvement before attempting ventilator discontinuation.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the method (T-piece, CPAP, PSV) and duration of the SBT in documentation.
In Context
- "Conduct a 2-hour SBT on CPAP 5 cmH2O to assess extubation readiness." — Ventilator weaning order
- "The patient successfully completed the SBT with stable vital signs and adequate gas exchange." — Weaning trial assessment note