Respironics Inc, Murrysville, Pa, launches the Speaking Mode option as an upgrade for all existing Esprit ventilators.
Says Steven McBrayer, critical care market manager, “When a patient is ready to use the Esprit Speaking Mode, the clinician simply deflates the tracheostomy cuff and initiates the mode.” Traditional methods are more labor intensive, requiring the attendant to break the airway circuit and disconnect the valve.
Should an occlusion occur, according to McBrayer, the Esprit sounds an alarm and returns the patient to normal ventilation. In addition, the common “finger occlusion” method is never used during disconnection, so there is no risk of infection.
Said McBrayer, “This new option should also reduce a hospital’s expenditures on disposable accessories because the Speaking Mode requires no external valves or additional parts.”
