Why test ventilators?

Ventilators are sophisticated medical devices essential in supplying respiratory support to critical ill patients in clinical facilities and homes. They are also regularly used during surgery whilst patients are under anaesthesia. Long term ventilation at home is progressively becoming more common, initiated by an increase in severe respiratory diseases. Despite ventilators being a necessary life-saving device, unskilled patients are often operating them. Even with appropriate training ventilators carry inherent risks.

Two particular risks that occur from ventilators are lung damage (too much pressure) and oxygen toxicity (high levels of oxygen). Gas flow analysers ensure that gas concentration, flow and pressure are all performing as they should according to the manufacturer’s performance maintenance schedule