Ventilator Ethical Dilemmas

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Madison Borders Borders 1

Professor Johnson

English 102

01 May 2024

Are Ventilators Safe and Ethical?

A new field of healthcare is sparking controversy across the nation, questioning the use of potentially dangerous medical devices. Less than 100 years ago, around the 1930’s, a new health care profession was founded, this profession being respiratory care. To work in respiratory care means that an individual specializes in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine. These individuals are called respiratory therapists (RTs). Patients with respiratory disorders and conditions are referred to respiratory therapists, and RTs evaluate these patients’ respiratory function to determine treatment plans and improve breathing and lung function. …show more content…
Mechanical ventilation takes a large toll on the lungs and the rest of the body. To be put on a ventilator you must be intubated, meaning that a tube is inserted into the airway by way of the mouth or the nose to aid breathing. The process of intubation and undergoing positive pressure breathing can result in various complications such as ventilator-associated lung injury, ventilator-associated diaphragmatic dysfunction, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. These complications can sometimes result in permanent lung damage and even death. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, more stigma was raised and questioned about the safety of mechanical ventilation and determining if the use of this device is …show more content…
The Journal states, “While it can be life-saving, mechanical ventilation with a positive pressure ventilator is not without complications” (2206). This statement is rather controversial regarding an individual who might be considered for the use of mechanical ventilation, because there is still the chance of something going wrong if being put on a ventilator or not. One possible problem that arises with the use of mechanical ventilation is barotrauma. The Journal states, “Positive pressure may rupture an alveolus or emphysematous bleb” (2206). The alveolus and emphysematous bleb are where the blood exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs within the lungs, this exchange is also referred to as inhalation and exhalation. Damage to this area of the lungs affects the inhalation and exhalation of air, leading to many medical complications or possibly death. Another potential problem is decreased cardiac output. The Journal states, “The introduction of positive pressure into the chest impedes venous return, and stroke volume is reduced” (2206). The effect of the venous return and stroke volume are signs of decreased cardiac output, this is a problem as having this can result in the heart not pumping enough blood throughout the body to supply organs and tissues with the adequate amount of oxygen that it needs to
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