1. Turn on the ventilator and ensure that the machine is functional and the battery is charged.
2. Attach the ventilator tubing and O2 tubing to the machine.
3. If the patient is a transfer on a vent, maintain ventilator settings from the medical treatment facility.
4. Default Adult Settings
a. MODE: AC (V)
b. BPM: 12
c. I:E 1:3
d. VT: 450
e. PEEP: 5
f. PIP limit: 25
g. FiO2: 21
5. If the patient is "newly" on the ventilator, initial settings should include:
a. MODE: AC
b. BPM/RRate: 14 BPM (10-30 range)
c. TIDAL VOLUME: 6ml/kg IBW (4-8ml/kg IBW range)
QUICK REFERENCE (Male): (Detailed quick reference in Appendix A)
66” = ~380cc [min: 255 / max: 510]
69” = ~420cc [min: 283 / max: 566]
72” = ~465cc [min: 310 / max: 621]
75” = ~505cc [min: 338 / max: 676]
d. FiO2 : 21 - 100% (0.21-1.0) (low flow O2 @ 3 LPM = ~ 40% FiO2 [flowrate on Saros oxygen concentrator])
e. I:E Ratio: 1:2
f. PEEP: 5 [Range 5-20]
6. Monitor waveform on the machine and visually inspect the patient to ensure no “breath stacking.” If this occurs, a high-pressure alarm may sound. However, if breath stacking is suspected even in the absence of alarm – disconnect tubing and allow exhalation and decrease the I:E if possible from 1:2 to 1:4.