I am a chronically home ventilated patient, who has a tracheostomy, and who is on the ventilator 24/7. I have an ICU monitor at my home, and I monitor my ETCO2, so that I can titrate my ventilator settings according to my etco2. I think like an RT, more than I think like a patient. You'd be surprised what I know. I don't think like your average patient. Otherwise, I wouldn't have my five lead ECG, NIBP, Pulse Ox, and Temperature monitor probes on me. I look like an ICu patient, but I can interprit ECG very well, and know my parameters. I have for many years. I've stumped RTs many times. I've seen RTs pull out manuals to equipment, and I tell them, "I don't need the manual. Let me help you!" So my room looks like an ICu, because essentially it is an ICU.
I am a chronically home ventilated patient, who has a tracheostomy, and who is on the ventilator 24/7. I have an ICU monitor at my home, and I monitor my ETCO2, so that I can titrate my ventilator settings according to my etco2. I think like an RT, more than I think like a patient. You'd be surprised what I know. I don't think like your average patient. Otherwise, I wouldn't have my five lead ECG, NIBP, Pulse Ox, and Temperature monitor probes on me. I look like an ICu patient, but I can interprit ECG very well, and know my parameters. I have for many years. I've stumped RTs many times. I've seen RTs pull out manuals to equipment, and I tell them, "I don't need the manual. Let me help you!" So my room looks like an ICu, because essentially it is an ICU.