Learning About Ventilators

Posted by Maura Saltzman on April 27th, 2020 Posted in: General

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Ventilators are being used to treat patients with COVID-19, but what exactly do ventilators do?

A ventilator is a machine that breathes for you or helps you breathe. It is also called a breathing machine or respirator. The ventilator:

• Is attached to a computer with knobs and buttons that are controlled by a respiratory therapist, nurse, or doctor.
• Has tubes that connect to the person through a breathing tube. The breathing tube is placed in the person’s mouth or in an opening through the neck into the windpipe (trachea). This opening is called a tracheostomy. It is often needed for those who have to be on the ventilator for a longer period of time.
• Makes noise and has alarms that alert the health care team when something needs to be fixed or changed.

You can learn more about ventilators here.