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		Search Text: Ventilator/Ventilator Support
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  What Is a Ventilator?
                                                  
                          Who Needs a Ventilator
                                                  
                          What to Expect
                                                  
                          Risks of Being on a Ventilator
                                                  
                          Going Home on a Ventilator
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          Ventilator/Ventilator Support
Ventilator/Ventilator SupportWhat Is a Ventilator?

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Sleeping woman connected to a ventilator mask

You may be put on a mechanical ventilator, also known as a breathing machine, if aconditionmakes it very difficult for you to breathe or get enough oxygen into your blood. This condition is calledrespiratory failure. Mechanical ventilators are machines that act as bellows to move air in and out of your lungs. Your respiratory therapist and doctor set the ventilator to control how often it pushes air into your lungs and how much air you get.

You may befitted with a maskto get air from the ventilator into your lungs. Or you may need a breathing tube if your breathing problem is more serious.When you’re ready to be taken off the ventilator, your healthcare team will “wean” you or decrease the ventilator support until you can start breathing on your own.

Mechanical ventilators are mainly used in hospitals and in transport systems such as ambulances and MEDEVAC air transport etc. In some cases, they can be used athome, if the illness is long term and the caregivers at home receive training and have adequate nursing and other resources in the home. Being on a ventilator may make you more susceptible topneumonia, damage to your vocal cords, or otherrisksor problems.



Ventilator support illustration*The illustration shows a standard setup for a mechanical ventilator in a hospital room. The ventilator pushes warm, moist air (or air with extra oxygen) to the patient through a breathing tube (also called an endotracheal tube) or a tightly fitting mask.*
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