Selecting the Right Ventilation Device

Many of you have reached out to me and asked for advice on how to choose between two different ventilation devices or select between two different device brands.

We are so lucky to live in a time in the U.S. when so many choices exist for complex medical devices, including mechanical ventilation devices!  Many of the machines boast some amazing features that help us breathe our best.    

But when it comes to choosing the right bi-level device (i.e. BiPAP or home use, portable ventilator), it can quickly get complicated. There are many reasons why one would select one ventilation device over another.  Frankly, it seems to be a personal decision, and there is no right or wrong. It only matters that you seek the advice of your respiratory care team, and select the device that best meets your needs today and is likely to meet those needs as your Neuromuscular Disease progresses over time.  

To help with this decision making process and answer basic comparison type questions, the International Ventilator Users Network (IVUN) has done their homework! They maintain a thorough document known as the "Home Ventilator Guide." It's a great resource, and if you are at a crossroad as to which device to select or just new to the mechanical/assisted ventilation arena, I recommend this guide at http://www.ventusers.org/edu/HomeVentGuide.pdf.  

Wishing you the best in your ventilation decision making,
Andrea