Ventilator Care Guide What Patients and Families Should Know

Ventilator Care: What Patients and Families Should Know

Why Ventilators Are Used

Initially, medical professionals use ventilators when a patient’s lungs cannot work effectively on their own. Specifically, ventilators deliver oxygen-rich air and remove carbon dioxide from the body. Furthermore, doctors commonly prescribe ventilator support for several critical conditions:

Severe pneumonia or ARDS
Stroke or head injury that causes loss of airway reflexes
Major surgery requiring general anaesthesia
Neuromuscular disorders (e.g., Guillain–Barré syndrome)

Types of Ventilatory Support

1. Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)

First, medical teams often try BiPAP/CPAP masks. Typically, doctors use this approach for COPD or OSA exacerbations. Additionally, this method allows patients to breathe more comfortably without invasive procedures.

2. Conventional Mechanical Ventilation

When necessary, doctors insert an endotracheal tube that connects to a ventilator. Subsequently, the machine provides controlled breaths to support the patient’s respiratory system. Moreover, medical staff monitor this process continuously.

3. High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation

In specialized cases, doctors use very fast, small-volume breaths. Specifically, medical teams reserve this technique for certain paediatric or refractory cases. Furthermore, this approach requires expert monitoring and management.

Family FAQs

Will it hurt?

Importantly, medical teams keep patients sedated for comfort during ventilation. Additionally, doctors and nurses monitor pain and anxiety levels continuously. Therefore, patient comfort remains a top priority throughout treatment.

How long do patients need ventilation?

The duration varies significantly depending on the patient’s condition. For example, some patients need support for only 24 hours after surgery. However, others with severe lung injury may require weeks of assistance. Importantly, medical teams assess readiness for weaning daily to minimize ventilation time.

Complication Prevention

To ensure patient safety, medical teams implement several prevention protocols:

First, staff perform strict sterile suctioning to reduce infection risk
Additionally, nurses elevate the head-end at 30–45° to prevent aspiration
Furthermore, teams provide daily sedation breaks and physiotherapy to avoid muscle weakness
Moreover, doctors monitor vital signs continuously to detect early complications

Weaning & Extubation Process

Assessment Phase
Once oxygenation stabilizes and spontaneous breathing becomes adequate, doctors begin the weaning process. Initially, the medical team performs a Spontaneous Breathing Trial (SBT) to test the patient’s readiness.
Decision Making
If the SBT proves successful, doctors proceed with extubation. However, if extubation fails repeatedly, the team considers tracheostomy for long-term ventilation. Throughout this process, doctors carefully monitor patient progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Ongoing Support
After successful extubation, medical teams continue monitoring patients closely. Additionally, respiratory therapists provide breathing exercises and support. Finally, doctors ensure patients maintain stable breathing before discharge planning begins.

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