What is Ventilator?
A ventilator is a machine that provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathing insufficiently.
How Much Does Ventilator Cost In South Africa?
The cost of ventilator in South Africa is R12,500
How does a ventilator work?
A ventilator mechanically helps pump oxygen into your body.
The air flows through a tube that goes in your mouth and down your windpipe.
The ventilator also may breathe out for you, or you may do it on your own.
The ventilator can be set to take a certain number of breaths for you per minute.
Who need Ventilator in South Africa?
People require ventilation if they are experiencing respiratory failure.
When this occurs, a person cannot get enough oxygen and may not be able to expel carbon dioxide very well either. It can be a life threatening condition.
There are many injuries and conditions that can cause respiratory failure, including Trusted Source:
head injury
stroke
lung disease
spinal cord injury
polio
sudden cardiac arrest
neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
pneumonia
sepsis.
Types of Ventilator in South Africa
There are several ways a person can receive ventilator support. These include:
face mask ventilators
mechanical ventilators
manual resuscitator bags
tracheostomy ventilators
Risk of using Ventilator
As with many medical procedures, ventilation involves some risks, particularly mechanical ventilation. The longer a person requires mechanical ventilation, the higher the risks.
Potential complications of using a ventilator include Trusted Source:
atelectasis, which occurs when the lungs do not expand fully, reducing the amount of oxygen that enters the bloodstream aspiration, or breathing objects or fluids, such as saliva, into the airways lung damage, which can result from high air pressure or high oxygen levels
pulmonary edema, which occurs when fluid builds up inside the air sacs in the lungs
pneumothorax, which occurs when air is leaking from the lungs into the space just outside of them, causing pain, shortness of breath, and in some cases — complete lung collapse infections, which can include sinus infections airway obstruction
long-term vocal cord damage as a result of intubation
blood clots or bedsores as a result of lying in one position for long periods
muscle weakness, if a person stays on a ventilator for a long time
delirium, which can lead to psychological trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder
Healthcare workers treating people with COVID-19 have an increased risk Trusted Source of coming into contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the disease, during intubation.
Doctors and nurses can take steps to reduce the likelihood of these complications. The steps include:
closely monitoring people on ventilators for signs of complications
adjusting the air pressure and oxygen levels to match a patient’s normal levels
wearing personal protective equipment to protect against viruses and prevent their spread to others
treating bacterial infections with antibiotics
ensuring patients receive physical and pulmonary rehabilitation after they leave ICU