Natl Med J India
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Mechanical ventilation is being increasingly used in many disciplines by specialists who manage critically ill patients. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) refers to the method of providing assisted ventilation without endotracheal intubation. This technique requires a positive-pressure ventilator, connected by a tubing to an interface device that directs intermittent positive pressure through the upper airway and actively assists ventilation. ⋯ Despite these limitations, NIV can be useful in many conditions that lead to respiratory failure. NIV is a relatively new technique and has not found a place in all intensive care units. It is expected that this modality will be used more frequently in the near future.
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Information on healthcare expenditure at the family or household level is important for the planning and management of health services. It is particularly relevant for health insurance agencies to estimate the amount of premium for initiating a universal health insurance system. ⋯ Our study shows that out-of-pocket expenditure is more than the government expenditure on health. There is a need for systems such as health insurance to protect the poor from high medical costs.