What does it mean when the I:E ratio alarm on a ventilator is alarming?
Question:
Answers:
It's usually not a big deal. It depends on which ventilator you are using. Typically the alarm goes on when the ratio is inverted, with I-time greater than E-time. It's usually not a big deal because patients don't typically breathe in sync with mechanical ventilation. The more alert/reactive the patient, the more I:E Ratio alarms you'll get because of it.
If however, it goes on constantly... there may be a minor issue with the Peak Flow being dialed too low (but again, that depends on the patient, and "mode" of ventilation you are on).
Good luck.
Oh... one more thing to note, as the rate of ventilation increases (there is less time for adequate E-time), the rate of false alarms increases.
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