Introducing new mechanical ventilation technology: the hospital perspective.

The introduction of innovative mechanical ventilation technology requires a careful assessment of the cost-benefit relationship of the new technology. Justification for purchase can be sometimes be made on the basis of improved patient safety and physiologic response. Improved patient outcome is much more difficult to demonstrate. It is clear in today's health-care environment that outcome-based research is needed before new technology is introduced to the marketplace, if that new technology is to become part of the average community-hospital complement of mechanical ventilators.