My unit is getting vents this summer?

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I work on a Cardiac IMC unit and our manager recently shared with us that we will begin accepting vented patients this summer. I've never had a vented patient before...if a patient goes into respiratory distress, we quickly send them to the CCU. I don't know what to expect and or/what to study. Do I need to learn the different modes, or is this part of the RT's job? I do know the difference between high/low pressure alarms, but in terms of general nursing care, do any ICU nurses have any advice on what to learn? Thanks in advance!

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I work in a facility that has a vent weaning unit. My advice is make friends with the rt's quickly. Learn how to suction a pt quickly, don't just rely on them for that. Go in the room with them and watch and ask questions. As far as the settings etc. learn what to watch for your pts condition with each setting. You will not have to change settings on the vent, that's all rt. biggest thing is learn how to use the in line suction, yaunker, and identifying when your pt needs nursing care vs rt care. Ie: if the vent says high rsp rate your pt may need some Ativan to calm him down. If it says low pressure, get the rt. and again. Make friends with the rt and don't call them to suction a pt unless their sats are dropping.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

Vents! How exciting!!

You should have some kind of orientation class/seminar/meeting to go over your particular brand of vents.

Ask lots of questions.

Know what a high PIP is and why it's significant. (.....as well as a low)

Learn what the different vent alarms sound like and what they correspond to.

All in all, you're still taking care of the same patients. They've just got a (hopefully) temporary respiratory component that requires extra vigilance.

If they're coming to you from the ICU, they'll likely be trached (loose rule of thumb is to trach after two unsuccessful weeks of weaning).

Brush up on your trach care. Obdurators, Passey Muir valves, etc.

You're gonna be a pro at this. Easy peasy!!

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Ah, vents--very intimidating, but not that hard to handle. Most useful advice I can give is: Always treat the patient, not the alarm. Second most useful advice I have is: When in doubt, bag 'em! And call RT. I'm sure you'll get an in-service of some kind, so you should be fine.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

Make sure the Ambu bag is in reach and hooked up to O2 (or if you don't have an extra O2 hookup, at least make sure bag is inflated with the tubing easily extended. My unit once had a pt who had been trached for weeks but developed a mucus plug. They had the bag at the bedside but only unwrapped from the plastic it comes in. The staff acted quickly and suctioned him, but they weren't able to bag him initially. He was blue with SpO2 in the 60s, HR in the low 30s, and (later said) having an out-of-body experience.

Also while I was on orientation, we had a power surge and for whatever reason the generator didn't kick in right away. So I had to bag in the dark. I definitely appreciated not having to fumble!

Review the common settings -- AC, SIMV, and pressure support. Get comfortable suctioning, and learn basic troubleshooting (ask the RRTs if you don't have classroom training.) Find out how to increase the FiO2. The bulk of adjustments will be done by the RRTs.

Stable vents aren't a very huge deal. I used to work in LTACH and could have 5 pts who were vented.

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