A ventilator, also known as a breathing machine or respirator, is a device that supports or takes over the breathing process. It is used in intensive care units for patients who cannot breathe on their own, such as those with respiratory failure. A ventilator helps to pump oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide from the lungs. It can be a lifesaving machine if a condition makes it hard for a person to breathe properly or when they cant breathe on their own at all.
A ventilator is a bedside machine with tubes that connect to the airways. The air flows through a tube that goes in the mouth and down the windpipe. Modern mechanical ventilators use positive pressure to push air into the lungs. Positive pressure ventilation can be invasive or noninvasive. Invasive mechanical ventilation means a tube is inserted into the airway connected to a ventilator. This tube can go through the mouth (intubation) or neck (tracheostomy) .
While on a ventilator, providers will perform additional procedures to treat the patient or prevent complications. These include monitoring, suctioning, providing medications, and providing nutrition. Ventilators are often needed for weeks, sometimes for over a month, and there are risks to having the tube in the lung, as it can cause complications.
