Ventilators in critical care

[Canadian_PT]

I need to learn more about ventilators. The different types, different settings, and what this all means for the patient.

I really feel we did not cover ventilators too well during PT school. Now as a new grad I was asked to cover a few shifts in ICU and I am struggling!!

I don't have to change the settings or even touch the ventilator, but I feel like I do not understand it at all!

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[junior_physiotherapist]

Yes I do agree with you,but we should do our best to be professional and help people as we should do!!

Any how there are some points you should take care of them while you are in ICU giving the sessions:

- keep monitoring heart rate,Oxgyen saturation and blood pressure lines.
- Be smart for any abnormal sounds from any machine overthere!

[junior_physiotherapist]

Rules of the Intensive Care Unit:

If you don’t understand something, ASK

Keep the family informed

ALWAYS talk to the Nurse
Talk early in the day to establish the patient’s schedule
What is happening with the patient?
Has the patient been OOB?

Be brave! ICU nurses can be intimidating

NEVER ignore an ICU nurse

Watch the patient’s vital signs

If something can go wrong, it will…..be prepared
Additional Comment I forgot:
Check the bed brakes before moving a patient

Walk around the bed to check for lines before moving a patient

ALWAYS know a patient’s code status

ALWAYS look at the patient when monitors go off

If concerned about a patient’s response,
STOP therapy, get the nurse

KNOW when a patient is UNSTABLE….
chest pain, brady/tachycardia,
unrelenting dyspnea/tachypnea,
hypo/hypertension,
diminished level of consciousness

[pudding_bowl]

Ask the senior inpatient physio at the hospital for resources on the ventilators. If they don't have any, then your in a bad place for a new grad. Not to worry though as the nursing staff should have resources regarding the ventilators.
Ventilator's are different so you need to find out which one it is to research it and I suggest just asking the ICU nurse - or nursing clinical educator for information about the ventilator.
If you want to know more about ventilator modes then thats a bit easier to answer but again they can vary between ventilator's... so best to find out specific to the vents they are using.

Good luck. - I got tossed into ICU without much supervision either, it was fun and exciting but I had an amazingly supportive ICU staff and I got them to do the things I didn't know e.g. suctioning while I helped support the patient for example and was able to learn in an active environment.

[Fyzzio]

Hi,
well said, pudding bowl.
To work e.g. for a rotation in ICU is one thing, but Canadian PT was thrown in to do occasional cover and this is simply not the way to go for a new grad.
As I am aware, ICU is not vey well covered in any degree, but it is really best learned on the job under supervision.

So, I also suggest to:
- talk to the Senior Respiratory Physio; ask for guidance/ training
- talk to the Clinical Nurse Educator; they provide the Nurses with training and you might be able to join them
- if both don't work: find a new job
or
- check which ventilator you've got and find your local rep; they are usually more than happy to provide you with training.

Cheers,
Fyzzio