Difficulty to fix ventilator low peep alarm

Specialties Pulmonary

Published

Hi ,

I had a copd patient who had history of chf and severe cellulitis in both legs. She had an order for bipap prn. Her wheezes was very high that we could her out if her room. Very laboured breathing. I connected bipap, made sure there is no leak anywhere on the connections, around her face. The machine was constantly alarming for low peep every five minutes . I am 100 percent sure there is no leak. Is there any other reason for this alarm... Help me please .. To my knowledge I thought only leak is low peep alarm .

No respiratory therapist... Small facility... I do have senior staff... She said this machine should not be for bipap for long time

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bruto,

It sounds like you are in a Critical Access Hospital which does not require RT presence.

No, the LTV is not for long term.

50 psi is the pressure of the oxygen source directly from the wall without a flow meter. It is that high pressure blast you hear when you disconnect the flow meter from the wall.

Some BiPAP masks may say "BiPAP" but are meant for use with other machines which are true BiPAP machines.

NIV is Non Invasive mode which is setting on the "hidden menu". This is where you will also fine the low and high PEEP alarm settings.

This patient may not be a candidate for BiPAP or at least not on this machine. How are you with an intubation assist and an ICU ventilator?

In the meantime, watch skin integrity under the mask. Your hospital could be paying for skin breakdown as well as complications from the BiPAP.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
No respiratory therapist... Small facility... I do have senior staff... She said this machine should not be for bipap for long time

Are you in the US?

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Nope canada.. Thanks for taking time and replying I am getting an idea... I am a new nurse.. You are awesome

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