How often does your institution do ventilator checks? We are a big medical center just converting to electronic charting and are considering changing frequencies from every 2 to every 4.?

We use every 4 hours as we change to an electronic record as well. We changed 2 years ago without any problems.

We do Q4 vent checks at my hospital, there's only 1 RT in the ICU for 30 plus beds. Q4 usually works, but if we don't get to the check because we're busy its not a big deal, we'll get to it next time around.

A few years back we went from Q2 to Q4 vent checks. Mostly OK. But a community hospital and the RT's (especially evenings and nights) can't be in every minute, even every hour. So we get other stuff to do, help others on the floor, longer breaks, etc. Human nature.

A while back some RT's (mostly NICU I believe) started a trend to even go for Q12 Vent checks, that what we do should be more than writing down numbers, etc. But they were already there 24/7. Be very careful about the impact any vent check frequency reduction will have.

Even pilots have to do rudimentary flight checks. I'm sure they at times view them like some of us do vent checks. But necessary.

1-2 RRTs covering 10 bed ICU. We were doing Q2H, but changed to Q3H as ICU has become busier.

Worked in a 30 bed ICU. 1 RRT/6 beds. Did Q4H monitoring, but more pt. acuity and charting was heavier.

Q1 !!!!!!!

We are venting patients.

Doctors rely ont us only.

Roger J Bellerose, inh (RRT)

Ste-Agathe-des-Monts, Qc, Canada