Home ventilators

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I'm finally cleared to work. It took so long cuz they do PPD rather than a quantatative for TB exposure, and I've been having local reactions to the PPD for ten plus years with negative quants but noooooo, new employees jump through many hoops. Just in time for the giant red wheal on my PPD arm to stop itching 24/7 . . . at least I won't have to do THAT again. Then my CXR looked 'funny' to the doc in the box where I got it done, so he wanted a radiologist to read it, adding a few more days to my wait (funny lung stuff went right over the rad's head, so I guess I'm OK).

I'm cleared to work with all variety of clients except for vent dependent patients. There are a lot of Youtube videos posted by agencies for training purposes, and I've watched loads of them. The most common vent in the Youtube vids is the LTV (different versions), and I wondered if LTV is particularly common? There are other portable vents out there, I just wondered if they have a corner on the market or if you all have used a variety of home vents.

Anyone out there train on the job for home vent nursing? If so, what helped you the most in terms of hands-on, training, or ???

My aim is not to 'pass' my agency's vent competency, it's to actually BE competent.

If there is another thread where this has been discussed before, if you can link it I'd appreciate it. TIA :)

I could swear that the vent DME rep told me one time that they should be plugged in at all times.

I know.

I am not sure where the supervisor got her information,but she said with the older vents,you had to unplug them or else the batteries got burned out.

A parent got enraged when i plugged in the lithium and marine battery because he said it wasted electricity.

He also asked " If the vent battery is all charged up,why does it have to stay plugged in?"

I really could not answer that one!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I know.

I am not sure where the supervisor got her information,but she said with the older vents,you had to unplug them or else the batteries got burned out.

A parent got enraged when i plugged in the lithium and marine battery because he said it wasted electricity.

He also asked " If the vent battery is all charged up,why does it have to stay plugged in?"

I really could not answer that one!

It doesn't always have be plugged up all the time.

Depending on policy, and at least in my experience, the vent should at least run on the battery to ensure that it will adequately work in case of emergency; some of the batteries have malfunctioned when plugged in when the battery was not allowed to run low.

At my current facility, our policy is to allow vents to run on their battery until the vent signals for a low battery; it is performed every six months.

At least allow the battery to run low for maintenance purposes; which should be coordinated with the DME company if per policy.

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Lithium batteries for laptops and iPads and iPhones etc go 'bad' if allowed to sit for long periods of time 'dead'. I remember being told to allow the Li battery in whatever gizmo I had to 'go dead' at least once a month and then plug back in to keep it 'healthy' and longer lived. I had an older iPad I stopped using, but didn't turn it completely off so when I gave it to my grandson, the battery life was VERY reduced, to an insanely short time.

I expressed my interest in learning about home vents and taking these clients (after I'd been actively working for a week or so). She's sending my email on to the 'education coordinators' whoever they are. I'm still unsure of who does what and where, so in the meantime I have my own little repertoir of videos bookmarked and printed out cheat sheets for my clipboard -- I'm ready for when they get back to me. I have a funnnnnny feeling I may have to knock on that door again :D only because that's the way these things tend to go. Not a huge priority when there are plenty of NON vent kids that need shifts covered. I'll poke the manager politely in a few weeks again and see what comes of it. For now, I've got two little guys keeping me quite busy and happy and 'in work', for as long as these things last :)

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It doesn't always have be plugged up all the time.

That seems like a good way to test the batteries!

It is amazing we all are told different things.

Here is another one that everyone gets confused about: the filters on the Ltv series.

I am talking about the black octagon shaped one and the white(or yellow) rectangle shaped one.

One Dme rep said you wash them everyday and put them back after they dry.

Another said you change them every 3 months,and that they are not supposed to be washed at all.

I Know a few nurses that did not know those filters even existed.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
That seems like a good way to test the batteries!

It is amazing we all are told different things.

Here is another one that everyone gets confused about: the filters on the Ltv series.

I am talking about the black octagon shaped one and the white(or yellow) rectangle shaped one.

One Dme rep said you wash them everyday and put them back after they dry.

Another said you change them every 3 months,and that they are not supposed to be washed at all.

I Know a few nurses that did not know those filters even existed.

A true vent class will discuss everything, from patient to vent, even maintenance of batteries and filters.

Each vent has specifics; some filters you can wash, others-no bueno.

When in doubt, consult the manufacturer; or google the maintenance book; most vents have a operational and maintenance book; that is considered documented evidence of how to properly maintain and care for the technology out patients use.

In my vent class I was furnished the manual to the vents I was working with; ones that I wasn't familiar with, when I got an overview, I did a self study prior to getting the hands on training; as nurses, in order to maintain competency, self-study is a MUST in this business, regardless of the setting. :yes:

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The DME companies in my area recommend have a spare clean set and change weekly. Thoroughly wash the set and let air dry. Every client I have right now has 2-3 sets of filter pads. For the ltv900 & ltv1150 minimum weekly changes are imperative. If a high traffic or dusty environment (especially older homes) we change/wash the filters daily or every other day.

I have a new t/v client next week (as in discharged home with a new trach & vent for the first time last week) and will see what the set up is for filter change. But I know the precepting trainer nurse and she will make sure DME delivers back up filter pads. ;)

Not cleaning the filters can impair air flow and vent function and even result in overheating.

To the OP most reputable agencies won't offer trach/vent training to new hires without t/v experience until they prove competency on basic cases and reliability for the company for at least 3-6 months. Some have a year minimum of new to pediatrics. So don't be surprised if your request is put off as a new hire. My one agency has a self learning text & DVD that you must pass a pretest with 95% or better, you then take a 6-8 hour lecture & hands on skills lab class once you pass the class you must train with an experienced precepting nurse trainer for minimum 3x8hr shifts on a specific client. You must do a full vent circuit change with the preceptor, watch and perform a trach & trach tie change and demonstrate competency to operate and trouble shoot the client's specific brand vent

and pass documentation QC/QA check. After 1-2 months on the initial client you can add other clients but must do 1-3x8hr precepted shifts.

My other job is not as strict nor is the training nearly as thorough . Perhaps that's why Job B is getting the trach vent client referrals from the regional pedi hospitals...

I'm glad I trained trach/vent with Job B before I trained with Job A

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
A true vent class will discuss everything, from patient to vent, even maintenance of batteries and filters.

Each vent has specifics; some filters you can wash, others-no bueno.

When in doubt, consult the manufacturer; or google the maintenance book; most vents have a operational and maintenance book; that is considered documented evidence of how to properly maintain and care for the technology out patients use.

In my vent class I was furnished the manual to the vents I was working with; ones that I wasn't familiar with, when I got an overview, I did a self study prior to getting the hands on training; as nurses, in order to maintain competency, self-study is a MUST in this business, regardless of the setting. :yes:

Sounds like the training I received with my one job.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

On the battery issue I was told it was a good idea to let the battery run down and recharge every few months I believe. I never tested that theory in practice though because first, most of my patients were out and about using and recharging.

The other thing was that we had issues with enough people who would forget to plug the vent in after an outing such that the family feared (and so did I) the battery back-up wouldn't be there when you needed it. Active patients make you think about Backup Plan A, B, and C all the time! We've had power outages and other weirdness often enough they didn't want to risk it.

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On the battery issue I was told it was a good idea to let the battery run down and recharge every few months I believe. I never tested that theory in practice though because first, most of my patients were out and about using and recharging.

The other thing was that we had issues with enough people who would forget to plug the vent in after an outing such that the family feared (and so did I) the battery back-up wouldn't be there when you needed it. Active patients make you think about Backup Plan A, B, and C all the time! We've had power outages and other weirdness often enough they didn't want to risk it.

Do you leave the battery charging or do unplugged it after it has charged?

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To the OP most reputable agencies won't offer trach/vent training to new hires without t/v experience until they prove competency on basic cases and reliability for the company for at least 3-6 months. Some have a year minimum of new to pediatrics. So don't be surprised if your request is put off as a new hire. My one agency has a self learning text & DVD that you must pass a pretest with 95% or better, you then take a 6-8 hour lecture & hands on skills lab class once you pass the class you must train with an experienced precepting nurse trainer for minimum 3x8hr shifts on a specific client. You must do a full vent circuit change with the preceptor, watch and perform a trach & trach tie change and demonstrate competency to operate and trouble shoot the client's specific brand vent

and pass documentation QC/QA check. After 1-2 months on the initial client you can add other clients but must do 1-3x8hr precepted shifts.

My other job is not as strict nor is the training nearly as thorough . Perhaps that's why Job B is getting the trach vent client referrals from the regional pedi hospitals...

I'm glad I trained trach/vent with Job B before I trained with Job A

You know what, that makes a ton of sense and since I'm new I will need to 'vet' myself. In fact I feel a little silly :D come to think of it. I have two clients now with trachs and GTs and you know . . . that's good enough. Not to mention I'm doing peds for the first time since nursing school. I do need time to settle in. I've been off work since June so perhaps I'm a bit on the eager beaver side. That and so far, I'm enjoying PD a bit more than I thought I would. I'll concentrate on getting settled in and then re-approach or just allow the manager to come to me.

My concern was that the available shifts were primarily vent kids, and if I wanted to get more than a day or two a week I'd need vent training. So far, though, I got full time this week (two shifts out of the blue) though I prefer 32 hrs or less. That said, it is costly to train (uhh, hopefully their training will approach what you describe) and best to 'invest' in a keeper, which as far as they're concerned is yet to be seen.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Do you leave the battery charging or do unplugged it after it has charged?

In general, you would leave it plugged in because the vent switches to battery when it doesn't have another source of electricity. That's been my experience, anyway.

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Home vent stays plugged in 24/7.

Portable vent gets plugged in at night along with the w/c for recharging.

Removable battery on home vent gets rotated in use for outings of more than half a day -- it gets packed in the go-bag, and exchanged into the portable vent when the portable's internal battery and removable battery have both used up their charge. Upon returning home, the discharged removable battery (which was originally in the portable vent) gets put into the home vent for charging, and the other one stays in the portable until time for another rotation.

Family has a generator they can set up for extended power outages at the home.

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