Invasive Ventilation — Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I call for assistance?

SuperCare Health business hours: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. (Pacific); Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (Pacific).

After normal business hours, all SuperCare phone lines transfer you to our after-hours service. They will manage your call and connect you with the appropriate SuperCare representative or clinician to resolve your situation.

What is the follow-up process?

SuperCare Health is here to help you maintain success at home with your ventilator. Our follow-up process includes a combination of the following:

In-home visits

• Visits are conducted based on request and/or determined need.
• An example of a follow-up schedule would be monthly or quarterly visits.

Regular TeleCare follow-ups

• Phone call or video conferencing.

What is the cleaning process?

Daily

• Tracheostomy care and cleaning.

Weekly

Rinse and air dry weekly with warm soapy water:

• Reusable filter
• Humidifier chamber
• Circuit connectors

Monthly

Replace monthly, or when visibly soiled or damaged:

• Circuits
• Bacteria filter
• Circuit connectors

Every 6 months

Replace every 6 months, or when damaged or malfunctioning:

• Water chamber
• Heater wire adapter
• Heater wire probes

What do I do if I encounter a problem or issue?

Preparation is key

1. Always ensure the external battery is kept fully charged and, if possible, connected to the ventilator so that in the event of a power failure it is ready for use.
2. Ensure a manual resuscitator and (if applicable) an emergency replacement airway is accessible at all times, in and out of the home.
3. Make a list of your important contacts and nearest emergency services.

Suggested important contacts to keep on hand: family/caregiver support, doctor, urgent care, hospital, fire station, electric company, gas company, and emergency services (911).

In the event of a ventilator malfunction

1. Remove the patient from the ventilator immediately.
2. Begin manual ventilation using the manual resuscitator. Once the patient is stabilized on manual ventilation, move on to step 4.
3. In some cases a patient may have a secondary ventilator; if one is present and operational, place the patient on the secondary ventilator, ensure the patient is stable, and proceed to the next steps.
4. Attempt to identify and correct/troubleshoot the problem.
5. If you are unable to troubleshoot, continue manual or secondary ventilation and contact SuperCare Health immediately for further assistance.

If at any point the patient shows signs of respiratory difficulty in breathing, call 911 for emergency assistance.

In the event of a power failure

1. The ventilator should automatically switch to the internal (or, if connected, external) battery.
2. Ensure that the patient is ventilating properly. If not, follow the steps outlined in the ventilator malfunction section above.
3. Check to be certain that the ventilator has not been disconnected from the electrical outlet or attached to an outlet associated with a light switch.
4. Ensure the ventilator is operating properly on the external battery.
5. Contact SuperCare Health immediately for further assistance.

In the event of a natural disaster

1. If required to evacuate, ensure the patient has all essential ventilator equipment and supplies from the home.
2. Proceed to the nearest hospital or emergency facility.
3. Notify SuperCare Health of your location and status.
4. Follow the instructions of your local authorities broadcast by radio or television.

If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters or routine power outages, you should consider purchasing a backup generator.

What do I do in an emergency? (CPR)

If at any point the patient shows signs of respiratory difficulty in breathing, call 911 for emergency assistance.

CPR for adults and children over 9

1. Position: Keep your elbows straight and position your hands, one on top of the other, in the center of the chest.
2. Give 30 rapid chest compressions to a depth of at least 2 inches, at a rate of at least 100 per minute. Let the chest completely rise after each compression.
3. Open the airway: Tilt the head and lift the chin.
4. Give 2 rescue breaths, each lasting 1 second.

CPR for infants and children under 9

1. Position: For infants to age 1, position the first two fingers of one hand just below the nipple line. For young children, position one or two hands in the center of the chest.
2. Give 30 rapid chest compressions. For infants, to a depth of at least 1.5 inches at a rate of at least 100 per minute. For young children, to a depth of at least 2 inches at a rate of at least 100 per minute.
3. Open the airway: Tilt the head and lift the chin.
4. Give 2 rescue breaths. For infants, make a complete seal over the mouth and nose, then give 2 rescue breaths. For young children, pinch the nose shut and make a complete seal over the mouth, then give 2 rescue breaths.

Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths until: the victim wakes up; an AED is brought to the scene and is ready to use; or professional help arrives and takes over.

Hands-only CPR

If the rescuer is unable or unwilling to provide rescue breaths, compression-only CPR can be performed at a rate of at least 100 compressions per minute.

CPR with an Ambu bag (for a ventilated patient with a tracheostomy)

1. Proper position: In the absence of neck injury, tilt the forehead back and lift the chin.
2. Tight seal: Use the “E-C clamp” — the letters E and C formed by the fingers and thumb over the mask.
3. Attach: Remove the ventilator circuit (tubing) and attach the bag directly to the trach tube. Be careful not to pull on the tube or attach the bag too tightly.
4. Ventilate: Squeeze the bag over the span of one second until the chest rises. Do not over-ventilate.

Online resources for patients

• Patient Handbook
• Bill Pay
• Educational Video Library
• PAP Resupply
• Schedule a TeleCare Appointment

Still have questions about invasive ventilation therapy? Schedule an appointment online, or contact our TeleCare Team at 844-227-3360.