Resp Care
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Comparative Study
Compression volume in adult ventilator circuits: a comparison of five disposable circuits and a nondisposable circuit.
Although the concept of ventilator circuit compression is well known, it is not fully appreciated clinically. We compared the compression volume of five adult disposable ventilator circuits and a nondisposable circuit. ⋯ There were differences in circuit compression factors as a function of the ventilating pressure and the brand of circuit. Although these differences are too small to be clinically important in many cases, they may be important during ventilation with low tidal volumes and high pressures.
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The importance of establishing the airway and providing ventilation during resuscitation is well recognized; however, the effectiveness of demand-valve ventilation has not been fully addressed. ⋯ EMT-4 appear to have superior ventilation skills compared to RC. Superior performance skills may be related to (1) different instructional methodologies, (2) effects of various amounts of experience in ventilating actual victims, and (3) greater familiarity of EMTs with the demand valve. As a consequence of this study, we are re-evaluating the instructional methodology used in our programs; we encourage other programs to do the same. We recommend that EMS providers and hospitals consider changing to an acceptable alternate mask in light of these and previous data.
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Comparative Study
Effect of PEEP-valve placement on function of a home-care ventilator.
The addition of a PEEP valve to the circuit of a home-care ventilator like the Aequitron LP-6 can be viewed as a consumer modification of the system. We sought to determine the effect that such a modification would have on ventilator function. ⋯ We recommend that appropriate observations and measurements be made to verify system function before a home-care ventilator modified to provide PEEP is applied to the patient.