Question 15

College Answer

The essential characteristics of a transport ventilator for this role are :

•    easily portable (weighing <5 kg)

•    able to deliver air mix or 100% oxygen

•    able to be triggered by the patient when time cycled

•    consume only those gases equal to minute volume and therefore require minimum gas supply

•    compact size

•    able to ventilate a variety of patient sizes/ages

•    have airway pressure and apnoea alarms built in

•    able to use variable PEEP

Ideal range of features may include:

•    Capability for a variety of modes eg SIMV, PSV

•    Variable FiO2

Discussion

This question is a direct rip-off of Table 4.2 (page 32) from Oh's Manual, "Features of an Ideal Transport Ventilator".

The features listed in this table include the following:

• Small, light, robust and cheap
• Independent of an external power wource
• Easy to use and clean
• Economical with gas consumption
• Suitable for patients of all sizes, from neonates to huge adults
• Totally variable FiO₂
• Able to deliver a variety of modes of ventilation
• Able to ventilate with variable I:E ratios
• Integrated monitoring and alarm functions
• Alarms should be visual and auditory
• Altitude compensated ventilation

Oh's Intensive Care manual:

• Chapter 4 (pp.27)    Transport  of  critically  ill  patients   by Evan  R  Everest  and  Matthew  R  Hoope