VENTILATOR

Typical Number in Hospital: 50

Cost Bands: 1,4

References: 2,6

In medical work this term usually refers to a breathing machine for providing assisted or artificial ventilation of the lungs. It can thus mean a resuscitator for emergency use, a body respirator (e.g. cuirass), or lung ventilator (see Intermittent positive pressure ventilator). In any form its function is to assist or take over from the spontaneous respiratory effort of the patient. These are used during anaesthesia (where muscle relaxants impair natural breathing), in intensive care for life support, and during emergency resuscitation.