Why ventilator to patients

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However Dr Shondipon Laha, from the Intensive Care Society, told the BBC that unless they become seriously ill, most patients with Covid would not need a mechanical ventilator and could be treated at home or with supplementary oxygen. Although there were risks when using ventilators, such as not knowing who would suffer long-term effects, he said, sometimes a ventilator was "the only way of getting oxygen into the patient".

Another issue, Dr Laha explained, was having enough trained staff to operate the ventilators correctly. The UK is understood to currently have about 10, ventilators having added to the previous stock of just over 8, by increasing production and sourcing other machines from overseas.

A number of ventilators have also been acquired from private hospitals. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the country needs 18, machines for when the virus peaks, down from an original estimate of 30, Mr Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr programme on 5 April that projected demand had come down because social distancing measures were working.

The exact type of extra ventilators needed, and who makes them, is still being finalised. You also have to be awake and, ideally, interacting with us.

When those milestones are achieved, the doctors may decide to try taking the patient off the ventilator for a trial. For patients with acute respiratory or cardiopulmonary failure, another therapy called ECMO extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , may be necessary.

ECMO is a highly specialized form of life support that can take over the work of the heart and lungs, allowing them to rest and heal.

There are risks associated with ventilator use. Ferrante notes. Infection is one potential risk associated with being on a ventilator; the breathing tube in the airway can allow bacteria to enter the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia. A ventilator can also damage the lungs, either from too much pressure or excessive oxygen levels, which can be toxic to the lungs.

Delirium is another concern, and fits in with what is called post-ICU syndrome PICS , a collection of problems that can present—and linger—after a critical illness. Ferrante says, adding that the lack of movement during hospitalization can present other challenges after a patient is discharged.

Ferrante says that older patients, in particular, are likeliest to experience a decline in their physical and cognitive function. Many people who use ventilators for a short period can breathe on their own the first time doctors try weaning. In these cases, doctors may disconnect the ventilator straight away. However, others need more gradual weaning. This is especially true if a person received mechanical ventilator support for a long time, as the muscles they would normally use for breathing may have weakened while not in regular use.

After weaning off ventilation, a person may notice that their throat feels dry and uncomfortable or that their voice is somewhat hoarse. This is normal and often improves with time. However, if a person has any breathing difficulties after weaning, or if they experience persistent hoarseness, they should contact a doctor.

There are different types of ventilator, including noninvasive and invasive, that provide varying degrees of support. It can take time to recover from being on a ventilator. Serious illness can impact physical and mental health. People experiencing persistent symptoms after weaning off ventilator support should seek guidance from a doctor. Acute respiratory distress syndrome ARDS is a medical condition in which the lungs are not working properly and oxygen blood levels are too low….

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