Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation is associated with negative clinical outcomes that increased risk of mortality and morbidity including weaning failure. Using of indices that combining objective and subjective endpoints predicting weaning outcomes can diminish the risk of weaning failure and complications associated with morbidity, such as re intubation.

Aim: To compare the Burns Weaning Assessment Program (BWAP) and the Integrative Weaning Index (IWI) as predictors of weaning outcomes.

Design: A comparative study design was utilized.

Setting: The study was conducted at Neurosurgical ICUs of Menoufia University Hospital, Menoufia Governorate.

Sample: A convenient sample of 120 patients who were admitted to the neurosurgical ICUs was recruited.

Tools: a) A Semi Structured Demographic Questionnaire, b) Cardiorespiratory Parameters Questionnaire, c) Respiratory Neuromuscular Function Questionnaire, d) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).

Results: The majority of the participants in IWI group had a successful weaning rate of 93.30%. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding weaning success rate (P < 0.006). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the ICU length of stay and duration of mechanical ventilation P < 0.013 & < 0.011) respectively.

Conclusion: IWI is an objective index in predicting the outcomes of spontaneous breathing trials compared to the Burns Weaning Assessment Program (BWAP).

Recommendation: Critical care nurses should use IWI as a more objective index which can predict the outcomes of spontaneous breathing trials in concurrent with clinical weaning criteria during weaning process of mechanically ventilated patients.