Proper care of Ventilator-Dependent patients is an art, along with proper medical knowledge and experience. In this post, I am sharing a nice infographic outlining the top 10 steps for proper care of ventilator patients. These are the simplest steps that must be followed by nursing staff.
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1- Practice Hand Hygiene
The first step is to always wash and disinfect your hands before and after touching the patient and ventilator equipment. Ventilator-dependent patients are usually very sensitive and should be kept safe from infections.
2- Check Ventilator Settings
Settings of the ventilator machine must be kept according to the physician’s prescription. Every patient’s needs are different and must be properly followed. Make sure the alarms are working properly, also.
3- Monitoring of Airway & Tracheostomy Site
The airways of a ventillator patient must be monitored daily. In case of any redness, swelling, or infection, proper action must be taken. The tracheostomy site should be regularly cleaned, and the dressing should be changed when needed.
4- Perform Suctioning When Needed
Whenever there are signs of secretion in the airways, suction should be performed using sterile technique.
5- Monitor and Assess Respiratory Status
Breathing pattern, breath sounds, and oxygen saturation of a ventilator-dependent patient should be closely monitored, and in case of any change, must be noted and reported quickly to the physician.
6- Reposition the Patient Regularly
Ventilator patient should be repositioned and turned after every two hours (or as prescribed). This is important to avoid pressure injuries and to improve lung function.
7- Provide Adequate Nutrition and Hydration
Adequate hydration and nutrition should be provided to ventilator-dependent patient according to their personalized care plan. This is important for fast healing and the overall well-being of the patient.
8- Maintain Proper Oral Care
To maintain the patient’s care and reduce the risk of Pneumonia, proper oral hygiene must be maintained.https://ritechoiceventilatorhome.com/health-care-providers/
9- Documentation and Communication
The care plan of each patient, all the changes, and observations should be regularly noted by nursing staff. All these notes should be regularly shared with physicians, therapists, and healthcare providers.
10- Provide Emotional Support
Respect, comfort, and reassurance provide emotional support to the ventilator-dependent patients and promote faster recovery.
Looking For a Facility for 24/7 Professional Care of Your Ventilator-Dependent Patient?
Rite Choice Ventilator Home, located in Vancouver, Washington, provides 24/7 professional medical care to ventilator-dependent patients in a comfortable and home-like environment. Just Email or Call us Now (360) 944-4471), and we will get back to you ASAP.