A ventilator is a life support machine that helps a child breathe. A mechanical ventilator is also called a respirator or breathing machine. Some children require help from a ventilator for a long time (chronic ventilation), even for many years. Children may require the ventilator all day or only part of the time such as when they are sleeping. Even young children can adjust to being on a ventilator and can breathe comfortably with it. Supporting a child’s breathing with a ventilator at home can be challenging and requires a team approach to care. A ventilator-dependent child should always have an awake and fully-trained caregiver watching him or her.
Why Ventilator is required ?
Breathing is the process of air going into and out of the lungs. When breathing, oxygen enters into the body and carbon dioxide is removed or exhaled. Respiratory failure occurs when a person is unable to maintain normal oxygen or carbon dioxide levels.
There are a number of medical problems that can lead to respiratory failure and the need for a child to use a ventilator chronically. Some examples are:
- Conditions that affect the lungs (extremely premature birth, severe infections, other lung diseases)
- Disease of the muscles and bones that may lead to weak breathing
- Disease of the nervous system that lead to poor breathing effort or weakness
- Airways that are narrow or collapse and limit airflow and breathing.
Sometimes there are several problems that contribute to the need for a ventilator. You can talk to your child’s healthcare provider about why your child needs ventilator support.
Get in touch with us
What equipment required at home ?
The DME company will provide all necessary medical equipment for the ventilator-dependent child. The ATS clinical guideline recommends that all children must have the following:
- a ventilator (and back-up ventilator when indicated)
- ventilator back up (fully charged) batteries
- a self-inflating resuscitation bag and mask (brand example Ambu®)
- a portable suction machine (stationery and portable)
- a humidifier for the ventilator
- oxygen supply
- a medical air compressor and nebulizer to give inhaled medicines if prescribed
- a pulse oximeter and probes for measuring oxygen saturation
If the child has a tracheostomy, a back-up tube and one a size smaller should always be available.
Disposable supplies such as suction catheters will also be provided. Other equipment may be needed depending on your child’s medical problems. Make up an emergency bag to keep at hand that includes items such as a back-up trach, self-inflating resuscitation bag, flashlight, and suction catheters. Talk to your
Do we always need ventilator support ?
Some children improve over time and get to a point where ventilator support is no longer needed. Your lung specialist will help guide you in how to decrease your child’s time on the ventilator (or the settings) over time. This is called ‘weaning’. Families and other in-home caregivers should not make adjustments on their own without a plan. When a child is ready, your healthcare team will tell you how to watch your child carefully as each change is made and what tests are needed. Some changes can be made in the clinic and others require close observation. Sometimes, an overnight stay in the hospital or a formal sleep study will help see that the child is ready for ventilator support to be decreased.