Ventilator Use in Adults: What to Know

A ventilator is a machine that helps you breathe by moving air in and out of your lungs. This machine may also be called a breathing machine or life support.

The ventilator connects to a breathing tube that's placed in your mouth or nose and is passed into your windpipe (trachea). The tube delivers warm, moist, oxygen-rich air to the lungs and carries away waste gases, such as carbon dioxide.

A ventilator may be used in an operating room, intensive care unit (ICU), ambulance, or at home.

When is a ventilator used?

• You have chest injury.
• You have lung or other infections.
• You have a brain or spinal cord injury.
• You have low oxygen levels.
• You have breathing that's too fast or too slow.

What can I expect while on a ventilator?

• Ventilators are set to control how often and how deeply you breathe.
• While on the ventilator:
  • Other devices may be used to help check your condition. Blood tests and other tests may be done.
  • You may be given medicine to help with pain and help you rest.
  • You will not be able to talk.
    • Writing or picture boards can help you communicate with others.

What are the risks of being on a ventilator?

• Lung infection (pneumonia). If you get this infection while on a ventilator, it's called ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
• Sinus infection.
• Air leakage into the space between the lungs and the chest wall.
• Blood clots.
• Damage to the skin or teeth.
• Damage to vocal cords.
• Damage to the lungs.

• Coughing.
• A sore throat.
• A hoarse voice.
• Short-term depression and trouble thinking clearly. This may be due to being very sick or the medicines used to keep you comfortable.

What can be done to prevent problems while on a ventilator?

What hospitals do

• Keep the head of your bed raised between a 30- and 45-degree angle.
• Wash their hands regularly with soap and water. They may use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren't available.
• Clean the inside of your mouth.
• Make sure equipment in your room is cleaned.
• Check every day to see if you can breathe on your own and how well you breathe. This is called a breathing trial and is done to help wean you off the ventilator.
  • The decision to wean from the ventilator is made carefully to make sure that the breathing tube is not removed too soon.

People who get an infection may be treated with antibiotic medicines.

What you and family can do

• If you smoke, quit. People who smoke are more likely to get an infection. If you're going to have surgery and will need to be on a ventilator, talk with your health care team about quitting.
• Family members of a person on a ventilator can ask the health care team about:
  • Raising the head of the bed.
  • When the person will be allowed to try breathing on their own.
  • How often the health care team will do mouth care.
  • Steps the health care team are taking to help prevent infections.