1. Ventilator

A ventilator is a machine that helps a person breathe when they are unable to do so effectively on their own. It is commonly used in critical care settings.

🏥 Critical Care Units & Their Focus

ICU (Intensive Care Unit)

• Focus: General intensive care for critically ill patients of all ages, including youth.
• Ventilator Use:
  • For severe respiratory failure, trauma, post-surgery complications, or infections.
  • Youths with conditions like pneumonia, sepsis, head injury, etc., may require ventilation.

CCU (Cardiac Care Unit / Coronary Care Unit)

• Focus: Specialized for patients with serious cardiac (heart) conditions.
• Ventilator Use:
  • For heart patients with cardiac arrest, heart failure, or pulmonary edema.
  • Used when cardiac issues lead to compromised breathing.

NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

• Focus: Critical care for newborns, especially premature or with birth complications.
• Ventilator Use:
  • Premature babies with underdeveloped lungs (RDS – Respiratory Distress Syndrome).
  • Newborns with congenital issues, infections, or after birth asphyxia.
  • Types include conventional ventilators, high-frequency oscillatory ventilators (HFOV), or CPAP.

PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)

• Focus: Intensive care for infants, children, and adolescents (typically up to 18 years old).
• Ventilator Use:
  • For children with severe infections, neurological conditions, trauma, or chronic diseases.
  • Both invasive (endotracheal tube) and non-invasive (mask) ventilation may be used.

🧠 Summary Table