Weaning Off the Vent

Clare's day today is focused on weaning her off the vent. In preparation, she is being given another blood transfusion (to increase the amount of oxygenated blood in her system). She is also being taken off her morphine (which causes some respiratory suppression) and put on methodone instead. The methodone will also help her come off the strong painkillers, so she does not go through withdrawal. If all goes well today, then she will be extubated in the morning.