Covid-19: Karnataka to use ventilators to lessen demand for high flow nasal oxygen
May 11, 2021
Ventilators to be used in Karnataka instead of high flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) to reduce oxygen demand, said state Health and Medical Minister Dr K Sudhakar.
After chairing a virtual meet with District Health Officers (DHOs), District Surgeons, Deans and Director of Medical Colleges and Super Speciality Hospitals in all districts, the Minister said that patients with moderate symptoms need about 20-60 litres of oxygen per minute. So we have to find ways to reduce dependence on oxygen, and hence we are trying to utilise NIV ventilators as a more effective alternative. This will reduce the oxygen demand by 80 per cent, and all patients in HFNO will be shifted to ventilator beds.