Throughout Asia, Middle East and Africa I’m noticing a huge increase in the number of filters being used on ventilators. In some cases a bacteria filter is used on both insp and exp side of the vent as well as HMEF at the Y connection. Aside from the obvious resistance issues and preference for active and passive humidification. Can anyone give me a reason for the use of filters on the inspiratory limb and does anyone know of any situation in which a hospitals main gas supply has been contaminated?

Many years ago our compressed air gas supply got contaminated with a bunch of oil. We had to use the compressors for the vents, run all tx's off O2 (some believing in CO2 retainer/Hypoxic Drive nonsense carried around little compressors).

Don't the vents have built in filters?

One word-SARS What was it? 20 Health Care workers in Canada that died during the outbreak?