CHEARS

A Ventilator is a device that supports or takes over the breathing process, pumping air into the lungs.

• It is used to those patients who cannot breath adequately on their own,

• These ventilators can save lives of both in hospitals and ambulances.

TYPES OF VENTILATORS:

• Face mask ventilator

• Mechanical ventilator

• Manual resuscitator bags

• Tracheostomy ventilators

WHO NEEDS A VENTILATOR?

If the patient cannot get enough oxygen and may not able to expel carbon dioxide can use ventilators.

The following are the conditions and injuries that can cause respiratory failure.

• Head injury

• Stroke

• Lung diseases

• Spinal cord injury

• Polio

• Sudden cardiac arrest

• Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

• Pneumonia

• Sepsis

• Sometimes to the patients who are undergoing surgeries and are not able to breath themselves.

• COVID – 19

RISKS OF USING VENTILATORS

• Atelectasis, which occur when the lungs don’t expand fully, reducing amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream.

• Pneumothorax, which involve leaking of air from lungs into space just outside the causing short ness of breath and sometimes lungs collapse.

• Infections, like sinus, pneumonia will occur

• Long term vocal cord damage due to intubation.

• Blood clots or bed sores due to prolonged lying in one position.

• Muscle weakness, if a person stays on a ventilator for long time.

• Aspiration

To reduce these kinds of complications we have to monitor closely regarding the signs, adjusting the pressure and oxygen levels, treating with antibiotics for bacterial infection, ensuring patients to receive physical and pulmonary rehabilitation after they leave ICU.