UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED

Indications

To identify and rectify potential causes of ventilation problems in a sequential and structured manner.

Contraindications

Patient Factors & Considerations

Any ventilated patient MUST be escorted by either a doctor or nurse whom has sufficient knowledge of the operation of the ventilator and knows what to do in the case of ventilator malfunction.
If an officer finds themselves in a situation where a ventilator malfunctions during a transfer, they may be required to assist with the checking procedure.

Procedure

Checking for possible causes:

Primary attendant (e.g. doctor/nurse) to check operation of ventilator
Check ventilator tube for kinks.
Check oxygen supply:
- Connection to outlet.
- Switch to spare 'D' size cylinder if required.
- Oxygen supply tube can be connected to the outlet on the front of the Oxy-Viva in place of flow-meter.
If unable to locate fault then ventilation will need to be provided manually using the Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) connected to an oxygen supply flow-meter with regular oxygen tubing.
If on a ventilator, the patient will have an advanced airway in-situ, such as an Endotracheal Tube (ETT) or Supraglottic Airway (SGA). Medical personnel will need to secure the advanced airway before transitioning to the BVM.
Disconnect ventilator tubing from breathing tube and connect BVM using right-angled flexible connector if available.
Ventilate patient at appropriate rate; a doctor/nurse MAY ventilate, or request the officer ventilates, at rate different to those listed in the ventilation clinical skill.
Ensure that the doctor/nurse confirms that the advanced airway is still in-situ and ventilations are adequate.
Contact receiving facility to advise of ventilator malfunction.

Transport Priority 1.

D

Check etCO₂ value/waveform.
Look at tube position; does it look displaced?
Auscultate the chest and epigastrium. If gurgling is audible, withdraw ETT immediately
Assess/consider ETT cuff inflation, depth, or oesophageal intubation.
Check placement after any move.

O

Inability or severe resistance to ventilation is a very good indicator of obstruction.
Clear Foreign Body Airway Obstruction

Consider failure of equipment starting from the oxygen cylinder straight through to the ETT and back again.

Success

Discontinue

Additional Information

Additional information

References

Colour assist:

Directorate

Clinical Services

Responsible Manager

Head of Clinical Services

Published Date

Review Date