Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

supapoopascoopa t1_j8er07o wrote

There is a lot of water in mechanical ventilation circuits due to condensation from air exhalation from the lungs. In fact many ventilators add humidification to decrease this water loss, which further saturates the circuit.

Warm water will turn into an ecosystem if left undisturbed, especially when exposed to oropharyngeal secretions dripping around an endotracheal tube cuff.

49

David_Warden t1_j8g9fpq wrote

Condensation occurs where air meets a surface that is below the dewpoint temperature. This is mainly in winter or in warmer weather on cooling coils when mechanical cooling is needed.

Humidification is mainly used in hospitals and when the outdoor air contains very little moisture. (Winter or Desert). Hospitals have high ventilation rates, sick people and immune compromised people. Without humidification, the humidity in the occupied space can drop far below the optimum for health and comfort of around 50%

12