Something we preach on our Pre-Hospital Airway and Ventilation courses is why and how we should use mechanical ventilation over manual Bag Mask Ventilation (You all should know the reasons #AirwayNerds)
Most current ambulance fitted models are either too simple, inappropriate for the patients used on or antiquated! So if we are going to use a Ventilator what would be on our wish list for functions:
- Light and easy to carry (MOST important AND has a proper bag!)
- User friendly, Pre-Sets and instinctive to operate
- Ambulance Proof (That’s the level above Bomb Proof!)
- Pump driven so will operate if O2 runs out and uses minimal O2
- Therefore needs good battery technology
- Adjustable FIO2 from 1.0 down to 0.21
- CPAP (And BiPAP if possible)
- Multi Modes but not crazy complication
- Choice of Pressure or Volume Cycled (Or both at same time)
- Monitors Exhalation so closer determination of Ventilation
- CAN cope with CPR without alarms going mad or worse stopping ventilating!
- Proper mount for Stretcher and Ambulance
If only that utopia of Pre-Hospital Ventilation existed (Maybe it does?!)
