#TechTipTuesday May 4, 2021: Performing a Short Self-Test on a Puritan Bennett 840 Respiratory Ventilator
May 3, 2021
By Kaylee McCaffrey, Biomedical Engineering Solutions Sales Specialist
It's #TechTipTuesday! Welcome to our weekly series where we ask members of the biomedical community about their tips and recommendations for maintaining medical equipment. This week we’re asking, “What tips do you have when it comes to maintaining respiratory ventilators?”
Performing a Short Self-Test on a Puritan Bennett 840 Respiratory Ventilator
This week, we asked Matt Cameron, Biomedical Support Specialist for Med Vest Technology’ Louisville Center of Excellence, for his tips on how to perform a short self-test (SST) on a Puritan Bennett 840 Respiratory Ventilator. Read Matt’s advice below:
When it comes to day-to-day testing and maintenance of the PB 840, respiratory therapists are trained to handle most common procedures. During times of peak use (e.g. flu season or the current COVID-19 pandemic), it is helpful for other hospital staff to have a basic understanding of respiratory ventilator options and maintenance. One of the most useful and often used testing procedures is the SST.
First, you’ll need to gather a few supplies: an expiratory filter, an inspiratory filter, a plug to blog the circuit flow, a short circuit tube, and an adult circuit.
Watch this video tutorial to follow along in real time:
Basic Steps to Performing the SST
- Install the expiratory filter, inspiratory filter and hook up a standard adult circuit.
- Turn on the ventilator.
- Press SST, then confirm by pressing the test button on the side.
- Choose adult circuit, accept installed equipment.
- Follow the instructions on the screen, blocking the Y as prompted.
- Continue following prompts, disconnecting and reconnecting components as the system's interface instructs.
- Repeat test as needed. An SST should be performed between each patient.
>> For more maintenance tips on the Puritan Bennett 840, read Matt’s full article: Puritan Bennett 840 Key Maintenance Procedures
Share Your Own Tips on LinkedIn!
Huge thanks to Matt Cameron for giving us today's tip on Respiratory Ventilators! Want to join the conversation and add your own expertise? Be sure to follow me on LinkedIn and comment on today's #TechTipTuesday post. See you next week!
