Vent setting question

[memphispanda, RN]

This is my first patient on pressure control ventilation, so the settings on the vent are different from what I have seen before (CMV, SIMV, etc). I have figured out most of the settings, but I can't get a grasp on what "slope" is. My patient was on "slope" of 0.20. Anyone have an easy to understand explanation for that, or know of a site that has a good explanation? Thanks SO much!

[fairone]

Slope is the inspiratory rise time which basically controls the time it takes to reach the preset pressure or preset flow. (What I understand it as anyway..) A diagram shows it here:

http://www.aic.cuhk.edu.hk/web8/mech%20vent%20intro.htm

Hope that helps!

[nowplayingEDRN]

fairone,

Thanks for the very informative web site. :)

[EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN]

Fairone, how does automode work?

[fairone]

Fairone, how does automode work?

Is this setting on a Siemens Servo vent? I'm not really familiar with it as we traded in our Servo's for Dragers a while back, but I found some info on 'automode' for the servo's - hope this helps.

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Servo (auto mode): The auto mode is suitable for patients who have a respiratory drive, are able to trigger breaths but require a backup rate, have changing ventilatory needs and still require additional monitoring.

- Combines Volume Support and PRVC into a single mode. Switches between pressure support and pressure control, with pt effort determining whether the breath will be VS or PRVC.

- If patient makes no effort, you get PRVC.

- As pt begins to breathe spontaneously, switch to Volume Support.

Auto-mode switching: Control to spontaneous mode will switch when the patient triggers two spontaneous breaths in a row. Spontaneous to control mode will switch when apnea intervals are achieved.

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[EricTAMUCC-BSN, BSN, RN]

Is this setting on a Siemens Servo vent? I'm not really familiar with it as we traded in our Servo's for Dragers a while back, but I found some info on 'automode' for the servo's - hope this helps.

-------------

Servo (auto mode): The auto mode is suitable for patients who have a respiratory drive, are able to trigger breaths but require a backup rate, have changing ventilatory needs and still require additional monitoring.

- Combines Volume Support and PRVC into a single mode. Switches between pressure support and pressure control, with pt effort determining whether the breath will be VS or PRVC.

- If patient makes no effort, you get PRVC.

- As pt begins to breathe spontaneously, switch to Volume Support.

Auto-mode switching: Control to spontaneous mode will switch when the patient triggers two spontaneous breaths in a row. Spontaneous to control mode will switch when apnea intervals are achieved.

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Yes, its a Servo. Thanks, great description!