--- title: 3 Everyday Practices to Keep Your Ventilator Patients Safe description: Here are three essentials that can ensure your ventilator patients remain safe while under your care. image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-589424518%20(1).jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [3 Everyday Practices to Keep Your Ventilator Patients Safe](https://blog.sscor.com/3-everyday-practices-to-keep-your-ventilator-patients-safe) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) May 6, 2023 8:00:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/3-everyday-practices-to-keep-your-ventilator-patients-safe#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/3-everyday-practices-to-keep-your-ventilator-patients-safe#) 0 ![Three Everday Practices to Keep Your Ventilator Patients Safe](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/rsz_gettyimages-589424518%20(1).jpg?width=700&name=rsz_gettyimages-589424518%20(1).jpg "Three Everday Practices to Keep Your Ventilator Patients Safe") As a healthcare provider, you know that caring for patients following an accident or illness is a major responsibility. While your treatment regimen will depend on their diagnosis, a major focus of your care must be directed toward protecting your patients from acquiring [healthcare-associated infections ](https://www.cdc.gov/hai/infectiontypes.html)(HAIs) during their stay. And some of the most vulnerable patients are those dependent upon ventilators.   [![New: Ultimate Guide To Purchasing A Portable Emergency Suction Device](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/55c49bab-8acd-48d9-a274-d480a9b3e678)   About [one in 31 patients](https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/index.html) will suffer from at least one form of HAI on any given day. And out of the more than [one million infections](https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/php/data/progress-report.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/hai/data/portal/progress-report.html) that occur each year, 15% of them [involve pneumonia](https://www.patientcarelink.org/improving-patient-care/healthcare-acquired-infections-hais/#:~:text=32%20percent%20of%20all%20healthcare,percent%20are%20pneumonia%20(lung%20infections)), which is always a concern for ventilator-dependent patients.   The [top 10 care essentials](https://www.americannursetoday.com/top-10-care-essentials-for-ventilator-patients/) for ventilator patients have been identified by the American Nurses Association. Here are the top three:    ## **1. Reducing Infection** The staggering rate of HAIs each year means that preventing infection should be your primary goal in patient care. The last thing a recovering patient needs is to be burdened with an additional infection, especially when it is preventable. Reduce the chance of infection among patients on vents with these tips:   - If the patient’s condition allows, keep the head elevated 30 to 45 degrees to help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. - If the patient can take breaths on their own, and their vitals are within normal range, provide sedation “vacations” to ready your patient for extubation. - Provide prophylactic care for peptic ulcers and deep vein thrombosis. - Perform daily oral care with chlorhexidine.   ## **2. Check the Settings and Modes** It is essential that the ventilator settings and modes are continually checked to ensure proper oxygenation and to prevent complications. The following settings should be monitored closely:    - Respiratory rate – manually count your patient’s respirations because they may be overriding the vent and taking breaths on their own - Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) – which is expressed as a percentage - Tidal volume – the amount of air inhaled with each breath (TV or VT) - Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) – which is the amount of pressure needed to provide each breath and, when elevated (above 30 cm H2O), can indicate serious complications (pneumothorax or pulmonary edema)   [![New: Free Emergency Aspirator Purchasing Guide for Hospitals](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b)   ## **3. The Importance of Suctioning** As in any situation requiring airway support, [effective suctioning is a critical component](https://blog.sscor.com/three-suctioning-techniques-that-are-most-effective) in preventing ventilator complications. Even a ventilator can be ineffective if the tube is clogged or the tracheostomy is not maintained. But suctioning must be applied following proper guidelines, which include:    - **Suctioning** only as needed - **Hyperoxygenating** the patient before suctioning to prevent oxygen desaturation - **Avoid** instilling normal saline into the tube to loosen secretions - **Using** the lowest level of suction pressure to remove secretions - **Keeping** your suctioning time to a minimum   Remember: the care you provide your patients can have a tremendous impact on their overall recovery. Reducing the time on the ventilator through effective preventive measures and diligent monitoring will only improve their outcomes. There is much you can do to keep your ventilator patients safe, so follow these guidelines to enhance the prognoses of these vulnerable individuals.   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in May 2023. It has been re-published with additional up-to-date content.*     ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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