General notes about ventilators

Here are some general notes about ventilator settings.

  • Oxygen will always be set at 21%.
  • Airway pressure: Press select to observe exhale TV, F for breath rate, exhale tidal volume, and PIP level.
  • Power lights will indicate if these aspects are functioning:
    • External power
    • Charge status
    • Battery level
  • Depending on portable ventilator type, PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) level can be added to ventilator tubing with a special PEEP value or if the ventilator has a dial to set the PEEP level.

Trach cuff

Shepherd Center’s ventilator settings chart: Trach cuff
Checklist of settings
Number of mls of air when trach cuff is inflated (up) _____
Number of mls of air when cuff is down (deflated) for speech _____

Mode of ventilation

Shepherd Center’s Ventilator Settings chart: Mode of ventilation
Checklist of settings
Select assist/control _____ or pressure _____
Select assist control _____ or SIMV/CPAP _____
Tidal volume when trach cuff is inflated (up) _____
Tidal volume when trach cuff is deflated (down) _____
Inspiratory time _____
Pressure support _____
PEEP level _____
Alarms: High-pressure limit _____ | Low pressure _____ | Low minimum volume _____
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