Ventilator technology: safety and comfort for patients?

Safety and comfort aspects of mechanical ventilation using advanced microprocessor ventilators are discussed. The significance of some of the ventilator observations made, both digital and waveform, is highlighted. Readers are encouraged to experience for themselves the trigger mechanisms available on the ventilators they use. This article combines theoretical information and direct reference to the Nellcor Puritan Bennett 7200 Series microprocessor ventilator, but many of the principles described can be applied to other microprocessor ventilators with flow triggers and waveform options. Nurses are encouraged to find out how this information relates to the ventilators they use.