What are the risks of being on a ventilator?
There are risks associated with ventilator use. “It’s not natural to have positive pressure forcing air into your lungs,” Dr. Ferrante notes. “But a big part of our training as critical care physicians is on the proper use of a ventilator, so that we’re giving a patient as much benefit as possible while also minimizing harm.”
Infection is one potential risk associated with being on a ventilator; the breathing tube in the airway can allow bacteria to enter the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia. A ventilator can also damage the lungs, either from too much pressure or excessive oxygen levels, which can be toxic to the lungs.
