Home care for life-supported persons. Is a national approach the answer?

In France, home care services for ventilator-assisted persons are provided by 28 not-for-profit regional associations. National issues are resolved by an organization (ANTADIR) which is a federation of these associations. Each component of the system has defined, specific roles and responsibilities. This cost-saving approach has made life possible in the community for over 1,200 ventilator-assisted people. Realities in other nations may demand that a system be put in place to meet the needs of this patient population and those involved in serving them. Although differences exist between countries, there is value in scrutinizing what is already in place in France to help determine what can be developed in other nations.