Mechanical Ventilation is a very precise and complex form of life support for the critically ill patient. In order to prepare the student to function safely in this environment, the course has been subdivided into three major aspects of mechanical ventilation. The functional analysis of ventilators and their mechanical specifications will supply the student with the abilities and limitations of individual ventilators. The understanding of individual ventilators and the ability to evaluate new ventilators will help the student with the most important facet of mechanical ventilation; the evaluation of the machine-patient interface with both laboratory and clinical findings.
Prerequisite: Admission to the second year Respiratory Therapy program.