A new app called Basics of Mechanical Ventilation teaches some of the basic concepts of ventilator management.
Developed by the Department of Surgery’s Division of Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and the Department of Respiratory Therapy at Lehigh Valley Health Network, this app is targeted towards med students, residents, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals who work in the critical care setting.
The app tries to be a good pocket tool for ventilator management.
This app offers basic definitions and simple diagrams of the components of ventilation: the different components of airway pressure, tidal volume, FiO2, and Positive End Expiratory Pressure to name a few.
These definitions are given in easy to understand language and also provide normal value ranges. The app also gives explanations of eight different modes of ventilation. Continuous Mandatory Ventilation Pressure Regulated Volume Control, and Synchronized Intermittent Mandatory Ventilation are just a few examples.
These can be of use to medical students and interns who are new to settings which involve mechanical ventilation and can help provide a nice overview. This app also has something to offer for the more experienced clinician managing intubated patients in the Intensive Care Unit. It provides succinct and easy to follow algorithms for the ventilator management of patients with various conditions–general management, COPD/asthma management, ALI/ARDS management, and Head Injured Ventilator management.
As a final useful tool, the app also offers guidelines and criteria for weaning patients off mechanical ventilation.
Price
- free
Likes
- user-friendly/ intuitive interface
- well-organized based on medical condition
- concise, easy-to understand explanations
- provides nice and simple explanations and algorithms
- covers basic situations in which mechanical ventilation is necessary
Dislikes
- questionable target audience: One might say this is too complicated of a topic to be used to explain ventilation settings for the targeted audience (an inexperienced practitioner). It would be more useful as a reference tool or reminder for clinicians who are already familiar with ventilator management
Conclusion
- As ventilation management can be overwhelming for the inexperienced clinician, the limited explanations might make it tough to use this app as a singular way to learn ventilator management — however, it’s free and definitely worth a download.
Rating: 3/5
User interface: 4/ 5
Multimedia usage: 3/ 5
Price: 5/ 5
Real World Applicability: 1/ 5
Disclaimer:
This post does not establish, nor is it intended to establish, a patient physician relationship with anyone. It does not substitute for professional advice, and does not substitute for an in-person evaluation with your health care provider. It does not provide the definitive statement on the subject addressed. Before using these apps please consult with your own physician or health care provider as to the apps validity and accuracy as this post is not intended to affirm the validity or accuracy of the apps in question. The app(s) mentioned in this post should not be used without discussing the app first with your health care provider.
