Practice parameters

11. Justification. Approximately 10,000 to 25,000 adults and 6,000 to 10,000 children in the United States are diagnosed as being in the persistent vegetative state (PVS). Inasmuch as the Task Force report reviewed the medical facts concerning PVS, the need to develop management standards and guidelines became apparent. The following summary provides practice parameters that outline diagnostic and management standards for adults and children in PVS.