Is Ventilator and Oxygen the Same?

Despite seeming similar, the terms ventilation and oxygenation relate to two separate (albeit interdependent) physiological processes. Understanding the difference between the two is critical in being able to effectively treat patients and make appropriate clinical decisions (Galvagno 2012).

How long do COVID-19 patients stay on a ventilator?

Some people may need to be on a ventilator for a few hours, while others may require one, two, or three weeks. If a person needs to be on a ventilator for a longer period of time, a tracheostomy may be required.

Why do some people with COVID-19 need ventilators to breath?

When your lungs inhale and exhale air normally, they take in oxygen your cells need to survive and expel carbon dioxide. COVID-19 can inflame your airways​​​​​​​ and essentially drown your lungs in fluids. A ventilator mechanically helps pump oxygen into your body.