COPD Patient on Ventilator: Can She Get Intensive Care at Home Instead of Hospice?

COPD Patient on Ventilator: Can She Get Intensive Care at Home Instead of Hospice?

Is hospice really the only option for a COPD patient on a ventilator? In this video, Patrik Hutzel from Intensive Care at Home explains why many COPD patients can receive life-saving, long-term mechanical ventilation at home with 24/7 ICU-trained nurses — even when hospitals say there are “no options.”

Rachel’s mother was placed on hospice just three days after being ventilated for a severe COPD exacerbation. Sedatives such as propofol and morphine were started, with the assumption she would not recover. But this is not the full story — and not the only path forward.

Patrik outlines why COPD patients often can stabilize, recover, or transition safely to long-term ventilation at home using evidence-based Mechanical Home Ventilation Guidelines. He also explains how families can advocate for second opinions, prevent premature hospice decisions, request medical records, and secure funding for Intensive Care at Home — often at half the cost of an ICU bed.

If your loved one is ventilated, sedated, or being pushed into end-of-life care too quickly, this video explains how to take back control, understand your options, and get real answers so you can make informed decisions.

📞 Contact us at intensivecareathome.com to discuss your loved one’s case and explore safe alternatives to hospice for ventilated COPD patients.