IMPORTANT:  THIS PATIENT IS CHRONICALLY VENTILATED.  DO NOT STOP HIS/HER VENTILATORY SUPPORT (e.g. nocturnal BPAP) WHILE THEY ARE HOSPITALIZED.

Patients followed by the NPHVA have chronic alveolar hypoventilation.  To keep their condition stable, it is necessary and vital to maintain use of their ventilator/BPAP.  They are at risk for severe hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and in some circumstances of death, without the use of their ventilator/BPAP.  

For this reason, it is recommended not to administer oxygen without ventilatory assistance and to monitor PCO2 if there is any doubt or signs of hypercapnia. 
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It is also important to verify with the patient or their family if cough assistance techniques are used regularly to eliminate secretions and maintain thoracic compliance.