What to Expect From Ventilator Use?

In the past, the use of ventilator has been a specialized function that only clinical experts such as nurses or respiratory therapist in the hospital can perform. Now, the tides have changed and there are physicians that are allowing their patients to be on a ventilator while at home, most Home Care Company in La Mesa California provides assistance. This is the reason why you should learn how to take care of the machine and see to it that your loved ones are cared for, while they are hooked on it to ensure safety in practice. You don’t have to have specialized skills and years of practice to properly operate the machine, with just a little training you can take care of your loved ones who are in need of ventilator support.

What is a Ventilator?

The ventilators will serve as the mechanical lungs of your loved ones, so they can get the right amount of air which is required to keep them healthy. Depending on the oxygen demands of your loved ones, the ventilator can be attached on a part-time basis or continuously. However, if your loved ones have spinal cord injuries, and are rendered as incapacitated for involuntary muscle movement for proper breathing, the ventilator must be attached to their trachea continuously.

Why Do They Sound and What Should I Do?

Your ventilators at home are smart enough to tell you that there’s something wrong going on. You will immediately hear an alarming sound, so you can check your loved ones for any signs of distress pronto. For instance, if the ventilator is accidentally dislodged, then an alarming siren will alert you so you can bag your loved ones instead. And if the tubing has been detached, it will alert you to simply reattach it. Here are other scenarios which trigger the alarm:

• High-Pressure Limit – The alarm will ring because an increase in pressure is delivered to your loved ones. This can potentially cause rupture of the lungs if not attended to immediately. Additionally, a high-pressure alarm goes on when the tubing is kinked, so it’s best to look at the patency, or when pressure builds up due to the secretions that are pooling which needs suctioning.
• Low Pressure – Low pressure will limit the amount of air that is delivered to your loved one’s lungs which could result to a condition known as hypoxia. The alarm will turn on in this scenario when the tubing is dislodged or if there are any leaks present.

If you think that you are not confident in managing the ventilator at home, then you can always seek help from professional respiratory therapist from Sunshine Home Health Aide Org., Inc. So that, you’ll have a good guide in managing your loved one’s condition even better. With the aid of the therapist, you will be assured that your loved ones are away from serious complications such as oxygen toxicity, pneumothorax, lung damage, and even blood clot. That is why, with proper management and the right support, you can always assure your loved ones a quality of life even while they are on a ventilator.