Experimental studies on performance of ventilators stored in the Strategic National Stockpile

Authors

  • Ali Mehrabi, PhD
  • Patricia Dillon, MD, MPH
  • Kyle Kelly
  • Kristina Hitchins, BA
  • Eileen Malatino, RN, MSc
  • Susan Gorman, PharmD, MS
  • Madhusoodana Nambiar, PhD, MSc
  • Hilda Scharen, MS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2018.0381

Keywords:

mechanical ventilation, ventilator, positive end expiratory pressure, strategic national stockpile, emergency management, preparedness planning

Abstract

Background: The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched a collaborative initiative with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to gain a better understanding of ventilators that are used during national emergencies. This initiative was intended to test reliability of ventilator devices stored long term in the CDC Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and also used by the Department of Defense. These ventilators are intended to be used by trained operators to provide ventilatory support to adult and pediatric populations under diverse environmental conditions. The authors evaluated device performance and possible effects of long-term storage.

Methods: Three SNS ventilator models: Impact Uni-Vent 754 Eagle™, Covidien (Puritan Bennett) LP10, and CareFusion LTV 1200 were used in this study. A total of 36 ventilators, 12 per model, were evaluated for performance in simulated adult populations using a test lung. The parameters evaluated included battery charge status and capability, battery longevity, positive end expiratory pressure consistency, device performance on AC and DC (battery) power, and device durability testing.

Results: The out-of-the-box run time was equal to or higher than the manufacturer’s specifications for fully charged batteries for all ventilators except 58 percent of the Impact 754 ventilators. No significant ventilator performance issues were observed in terms of tidal volume consistency, proximal pressure, oxygen consumption, and a 2000-hour run test in LP10 models.

Conclusions: These findings provide information about the long-term storage of ventilators that have regular maintenance, and their ability to perform reliably during a public health emergency.

Author Biographies

Ali Mehrabi, PhD

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Patricia Dillon, MD, MPH

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of the Center Director, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Kyle Kelly

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of the Center Director, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Kristina Hitchins, BA

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of the Center Director, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Eileen Malatino, RN, MSc

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Atlanta, Georgia

Susan Gorman, PharmD, MS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Atlanta, Georgia

Madhusoodana Nambiar, PhD, MSc

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of the Center Director, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

Hilda Scharen, MS

Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of the Center Director, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland

References

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Blakeman TC, Rodriquez D, Dorlac WC, et al.: Performance of portable ventilators for mass-casualty care. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2011; 26: 330-334.

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Branson RD, Johannigman JA, Daugherty EL, et al.: Surge capacity mechanical ventilation. Respir Care. 2008; 53: 78-88.

Malatino EM: Strategic national stockpile: Overview and ventilator assets. Respir Care. 2008; 53: 91-95.

Thompson T, Lyle K, Mullins SH, et al.: A state survey of emergency department preparedness for the care of children in a mass casualty event. Am J Disaster Med. 2009; 4: 227-232.

Published

09/01/2018

How to Cite

Mehrabi, PhD, A., P. Dillon, MD, MPH, K. Kelly, K. Hitchins, BA, E. Malatino, RN, MSc, S. Gorman, PharmD, MS, M. Nambiar, PhD, MSc, and H. Scharen, MS. “Experimental Studies on Performance of Ventilators Stored in the Strategic National Stockpile”. Journal of Emergency Management, vol. 16, no. 5, Sept. 2018, pp. 321-36, doi:10.5055/jem.2018.0381.